A study on the characteristics of pollutant release and transfer registers (PRTRs) and cancer incidence rates in Korea.

This study aims to identify the past decade's trend of harmful chemical emissions, which have been disclosed on the website as open information. During the past 10 years, the number of places of business, examined for their harmful chemical emissions, increased about 1.3× and their emissions went up 1.1×. More than 50% of total emissions have occurred in the top three areas, and the largest emissions were from xylene and toluene for the past 10 years. Among the total emissions, the group 1 carcinogen decreased from 5.3 to 2.1%, and among group 1 in particular, trichloroethylene and benzene accounted for more than 80%. Although it was impossible to find out any relationship between major cancers' development and the results of carcinogen emissions, considering the features of carcinogens emitted in specific areas, more research is needed to find out relationship. And, it is necessary to come up with proactive policies to reduce harmful chemical substances which can affect human health through environmental pollution.