어린이 녹색생활환경 구축 연구(Ⅰ) : 위해저감 및 녹색소비방안을 중심으로 = Building Green Living Environment for Children(Ⅰ): Risk Reduction and Green Consumption

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

Ⅰ. Background and Research Aims
1. Background
□ Children and management of environmental hazards
ㅇ A risk reduction plan customized for children in the living environment is necessary.
- Children are cumulatively exposed to environmental hazards through various pathways, but risk is managed for each pathway separately.
- There is an urgent need for an integrated, receptor-oriented risk management plan that encompasses all exposure pathways.
ㅇ Call for enhanced protection of children’s environmental health by international society
- International institutes such as the WHO and OECD are developing methodologies for children’s risk management and carrying out risk reduction projects.
- EU and the US have also developed policies to enhance management of hazardous chemicals in children’s living environment.
□ A new paradigm of risk management
- green consumption
ㅇ Paradigm shift in the management of environmental hazards for children
- Children's living environment risk management policy has expanded from the prevention of chemical exposure through regulation to strategies for non-toxic environments that include sustainable alternatives to hazardous chemicals.
ㅇ Green consumption
- The concept of green consumption has expanded from the consumption of eco-friendly products to the consumption of products that are less harmful to humans.
- The connection between risk management and green consumption ultimately needs to be expanded to the establishment of a circular economy that considers the reduction of products that contain hazardous chemicals.
2. Research objectives and contents
□ Research objectives
ㅇ Identification of priority chemicals for risk management through integrated risk assessment of children’s living environment
ㅇ Proposal of a strategy to build green living environment through active promotion of green consumption
□ Contents
- Analysis of children’s living environment management status and hazardous chemical exposure status
- Analysis of children’s risk management methodologies
- Analysis of consumption patterns of products that children are potentially exposure to
- Identification of priority chemicals for risk management in children’s living environment
- Proposal for policy framework for linking risk management and green consumption
Ⅱ. Status of Children’s Environmental Hazards Management in Korea
1. Analysis of the status of the management of children’s products and children’s activity zones
□ Status of management policy on environmental hazards in children’s living environment
- Divided management by four ministries: the Ministry of Environment (MoE), the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MoTIE), the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS), and the Ministry of Education (MoEd)
- MoE’s “Environmental Health Act” is the only law that encompasses both children’s products and children’s activity zones.
□ Policy on the management of children’s products
ㅇ MoE
- Environmental Health Act
ㆍManagement of hazardous factors contained in products “mainly used or touched by children”
ㆍDetermination of reference values for phthalate plasticizers (DINP, DNOP), nonylphenol, and tributyltin
ㆍManagement of 263 hazardous factors that are subject to risk assessment
- Chemical Products and Biocidal Products Safety Act
ㆍPreferential protection for populations more sensitive to environmentally hazardous factors, such as children
ㆍRegulatory standards for disinfectants for children’s products
ㅇ MoTIE
- Special Act on the Safety of Products for Children
ㆍManagement of physical and chemical safety of products
ㆍDifferential safety standards applied to products subject to safety certification, safety verification, and verification of supplier compliance
ㆍRegulation of heavy metals, phthalate plasticizers, asbestos, and other substances according to the “common safety standards for products for children”
ㅇ MFDS
- Main targets are infants and toddlers under the age of three
- Regulation of children’s use of some products under “Hygiene Products Control Act”, “Cosmetics Act”, “Food Sanitation Act”, and “Pharmaceutical Affairs Act”
□ Policy on the management of children’s activity zones
ㅇ MoE
- Environmental Health Act
ㆍManagement of areas where children mainly stay or do activities. such as children’s play facilities, infant care facilities including nurseries, kindergartens, and elementary schools
ㆍManagement of preservatives, heavy metals, formaldehyde, and pests in surface materials of paints and finishing materials, wood, sand, and synthetic rubber flooring
- Indoor Air Quality Control in Publicly Used Facilities, etc. Act
ㆍManagement of air quality of child care facilities, private teaching institutes, internet computer game facilities, and indoor children’s play facilities
- Water Environment Conservation Act
ㆍManagement of water quality in “water play facilities”
ㅇ MoED - School Health Act
ㆍManagement of indoor air quality in schools 2. Implications
□ Policies for the management of children’s environmental hazards
ㅇ Phthalates
- Regulated in all laws that manage children’s products
- Regulation focused on 3 phthalates; DEHP, DBP, and BBP - Use of alternatives increasing, but regulations for the alternative do not exist.
ㅇ Formaldehydes
- The most widely regulated chemical in regulations dealing with children’s products and activity zones
□ Identification of blind spots in management and need for integrated management of children’s living environment
ㅇ Difficulty in enforcing receptor-oriented management of children’s living environment due to divided management of children’s products depending on product types
ㅇ Management of products limited to “products used by or used for children”
- Difficult to manage hazardous chemicals contained in products that are frequently in contact with children, such as furniture and electronics
- Phthalates in flooring and wallpaper that are likely to be exposure sources for children are classified as general household products, and are not managed within the scope of children’s products or children’s activity zones.
ㅇ Integrated management criteria for children’s living environment that considers cumulative exposure in children are necessary.
Ⅲ. Exposure Status of Children to Environmental Hazards
1. Exposure status of children’s products
□ Targets of analysis
ㅇ MoE’s Database on Children’s Product-Environmental Hazard Survey
- Conducted from 2012 to 2017
- Products classified as children’s products as well as products likely to be in frequent contact with children
ㆍA total of 17,276 products analyzed
- Analysis of chemicals regulated by “Environmental Health Act” and “Special Act on the Safety of Products for Children”
□ Results
ㅇ Phthalates
- Highest frequency of products exceeding regulatory standard among chemicals examined
- Most products, including stationary and books, household products, toys, and non-target products (general consumer products) exceeded regulatory standards.
ㆍNumber of products exceeding standards particularly high in household products and non-target products
- DEHP detected in highest frequency among phthalates analyzed
- Declining trend in the frequency of products exceeding phthalate standard
ㅇ Heavy metals
- About 1% of products identified as exceeding regulatory standards
- Accessories identified as having the highest frequency of products exceeding the standards, as well as having the highest detection level
ㅇ Others
- Other regulated chemicals rarely exceeded regulatory standards.
□ Implications
ㅇ Limited data available to identify hazardous chemicals for priority management
- Target of analysis limited to regulated chemicals - Surveys on unregulated chemicals necessary
ㅇ Phthalates identified as the chemical group that requires particular attention
- Highest frequency of products that exceeds regulatory standards in spite of regulations by each ministry
- Management of unregulated phthalates and alternative plasticizers necessary
ㅇ Identification of possible exposure through non-target products
2. Exposure status of children’s activity zones
□ Targets of analysis
ㅇ MoE’s database on diagnosis of publically-used areas
- Conducted from 2014 to 2018
- Conducted at indoor and outdoor areas of child care facilities, kindergartens, apartments, city parks, libraries, and elementary schools
- Analysis of chemicals regulated by “Environmental Health Act”
ㅇ Seoul’s database on child care facility environmental safety survey
- Conducted from 2015 to 2017 - Indoor areas of 550 child care facilities diagnosed
- Analysis of chemicals regulated by “Environmental Health Act”, “Indoor Air Quality Control in Publicly Used Facilities, etc. Act”, and “Electrical Appliances and Consumer Products Safety Control Act”
□ Results
ㅇ MoE DB - 13% of facilities exceeded regulatory standards.
ㆍHighest excess rates in door (and frames), window (and frames), and paints
- Lead and chromium(VI) responsible for 99% of heavy metals exceeding safety standards
ㅇ Seoul municipal DB - Declining trend of phthalates in flooring exceeding regulatory standards
ㆍ94% (2014) → 26% (2017)
ㆍIncreased use of alternative plasticizers likely
ㆍHighest excess rates in doors (and frames), windows (and frames), and paints
□ Implications
ㅇ In both surveys by MoE and the city of Seoul, heavy metals (lead) exhibited the highest excess rate. - Scrutiny of lead levels in building materials (such as paint) is necessary.
ㅇ Blind spots in management identified
- Only main classrooms were covered by the regular surveys, causing concern for other areas such as libraries and indoor gyms.
- Arts and PE classes attended by preschoolers were also identified as potential exposure hot spots, and therefore should be considered as priority areas for inclusion in activity zone management.
- Furniture should be included as part of the management target. - Phthalates and alternatives should be included as part of the management target.
3. Exposure levels in children
□ Targets of analysis
ㅇ Database of biological samples from children aged zero to six years old from national monitoring surveys and cohort studies conducted by MoE and MFDS
- Target of analysis: heavy metals, VOCs, PAHs, phthalates, phenols, and pesticides
□ Results
ㅇ Heavy metals
- High exposure levels of three heavy metals (lead, mercury, cadmium) and metal-specific exposure pattern (age, sex)
ㆍLevels of mercury and cadmium especially high
ㅇ Phthalates
- Metabolites of unregulated phthalates such as DBP, DiBP, DMP detected
- Detection rates exceeded 60% of samples analyzed in most studies.
ㅇ Phenols
- Some chemicals detected in especially high levels in Korean children
4. Conclusion
ㅇ Phthalates repeatedly detected in children's products, flooring, and biological samples
- Phthalates extensively detected in children's products - Indication of increased use of unregulated phthalates and phthalate alternatives in activity zone
- Very little information on unregulated phthalates and phthalate alternatives
ㅇ Lack of database for integrated risk management
- Discrepancies in the exposure data of phthalates, heavy metals, and parabens between biological samples and data from children’s products and children’s activity zones
- Possible exposure through other exposure pathways (eg. unregulated products or activity zones, food products, and food containers
- Generation of scientific evidence for policies involving children’s living environment by connecting relevant database is necessary
Ⅳ. Green Consumption of Products Potentially Exposed to Children
1. Green consumption and risk management
□ Risk management from a green consumption perspective
ㅇ Expansion of the concept of green consumption
- ‘Safety of my family and myself’ takes precedence over ‘protection of the environment’ as the reason for consumption of green products.
ㆍChemicals in food products and children’s products considered the most important factor in purchase decision
ㅇ Linking green consumption and risk management
- ‘Total consumption’ approach that takes into account consumption patterns is necessary for effective risk management.
- Providing information regarding ‘safe’ products and encouraging green consumption should be considered.
2. Identification of priority products for management through consumption pattern analysis of households with children
□ Analysis methods
ㅇ Data for analysis
- Household expenditure survey from Korean Statistical Information Service
ㆍIdentification of children-related products: Data from 2018 expenditure survey
ㆍTrends in consumption pattern of children-related products: Analysis of food and consumer products directly linked to children from 2011 to 2016 expenditure survey
□ Results
ㅇ Identification of children-related products
- Increased consumption of food products mainly consumed by children
ㆍHigh proportion of consumption of flour (bread and snacks) and sugars (juices, fruits, candies/jellies)
ㆍIncreased consumption of meat and seafood products, dairy products, and eggs
- Increased expenditure on prescription drugs, and health care and hygiene products
- Increased consumption of toys, batteries, children’s clothing, carpets and beddings, humidifiers, and air purifiers
- Increased expenditure on recreation facilities and education
ㆍIncreased expenditure on kids cafe and arts and PE classes
ㅇ Trends in consumption patterns of children-related products
- Increased consumption of all food products examined
ㆍHighest increase in baby food, side dishes, and chocolates and candies
- Increased consumption of children’s clothing and shoes
- Steeper increase in the consumption of processed food products and children’s products compared to increase in the average number of children
ㅇ Characteristics of children-related consumption trends
- Increased consumption per child as well as increased consumption of toys due to eight-pocket phenomenon
ㆍIncreased influence of children on household expenditure
- Increased consumption of processed food and instant food
- Environmental awareness does not influence consumption of children’s products.
3. Suggestions for management of risk factors in children’s products
ㅇ Risk management focused on food products mainly consumed by children, children's products (eg. toys and clothing), indoor air quality in vehicles, activity zones such as arts and PE classes
- Regulation of food favored by children must be enhanced.
- Due to increased use of cars by households with children, susceptible populations such as children must be considered as part of the management of indoor air quality of vehicles.
ㅇ Enhanced green consumption through life cycle management of children's products
- Risk reduction should be approached stepwise: consumption (consumption of non-toxic products)-use (use with care to reduce risk)-disposal (disposing appropriately to prevent risks to the environment and future generations).
ㅇ Promotion of green industry that considers risk reduction and environmental protection
- Activation of green production-green distribution-green consumption that minimizes leakage and exposure of hazardous chemicals is necessary.
ㆍRecently, efforts are being made to produce products that consider both risk reduction and environmental protection.
- In a circular economy, it is necessary to thoroughly eliminate accidental incorporation of hazardous chemicals in the recycling process, and to manage products that can be contacted by children.
Ⅴ. International Trends in Children’s Living Environment Management
1. Trends in integrated management of children’s living environment
□ Denmark’s risk management of children’s living environment
ㅇ Introduction of phthalate management policy based on cumulative risk assessment
- Estimation of phthalate exposure levels in living environment through examination of biomonitoring database and cumulative risk assessment of phthalates in food, consumer products, and indoor air
- Designation of phthalates as priority chemicals and provision of evidence for enhanced management
- Identification of products to be included in management
□ Europe’s HBM4EU Project
ㅇ Provision of scientific evidence for receptor-oriented environmental health policy
- Attempt to narrow the gap between science and policy by considering policy needs at the planning stage
- Generation of scientific evidence for inducing integrated management of products, food, and activity zones in order to reduce exposure
- Selection of priority chemicals for monitoring considering policy Demands
□ Safer Consumer Products Program (SCP) of California (USA)
ㅇ Exploring ways to link risk management and green consumption
- SPC developed to protect children from hazardous chemicals
ㆍSelection of priority chemical-product through feedback from industry and consumer groups, and cost-benefit analyses
ㆍPhasing out of selected chemical-product and development of alternatives
ㆍDesigned to link risk management results with green industry and green products
- Demonstrates possibility of connecting risk management and green consumption through policy implementation
2. Trends in the development of risk management methodologies
□ OECD’s Children’s Exposure Assessment Guideline
ㅇ Decision Tree Project
- Identification of key issues in risk management of children
ㆍIdentification of key research needs including development of emission scenarios related to children and children’s behavior pattern guidelines, and identification of children-specific factors that influence exposure.
ㆍDevelopment of risk management decision tree with the assumption that children can be exposed to chemicals from general consumer products
- Development of risk assessment methodologies for children
ㆍMethodologies that consider children’s behavior and exposure characteristics under development
ㆍCase studies that estimate mouthing exposure in children published
□ Analysis of methodologies for prioritization of hazardous chemicals for children
ㅇ RAIDAR-ICE
- Risk assessment by estimating direct exposure to products and indoor air
- Suitable for screening of chemicals exposed in indoor environment
- Effective in identifying priority pathways for regulation of specific chemicals
ㅇ Product Intake Fraction framework
- Identification of the main chemical exposure pathway among various exposure pathways in living environment
- Identification of the key products that pose risk to receptors among products that contain specific chemicals
ㆍIdentification of priority pathways and products for risk management
- Considers both primary (direct exposure) and secondary (indirect exposure) transfers, and developed to link the results to circular economy of consumption-use-disposal
ㆍSuitable for life cycle assessment of products and alternative chemicals
3. Implications
ㅇ Integrated risk management that realistically reflects risks in living environment should be based on cumulative risk assessment of all potential sources and exposure pathways.
ㅇ Implementation and efficacy assessment of policy based on scientific evidence is necessary.
ㅇ Risk management methodologies currently under development focus on the potential exposure through food and consumer products, are based on cumulative risk assessment of multiple pathways, and suggest possible linkages to green alternatives that include life cycle management of chemicals and products.
ㅇ Management of children’s living environment should be carried out within the framework of risk management-green consumption.
Ⅵ. Identification of Priority Chemicals for Risk Reduction in Children’s Living Environment
1. Identification of priority chemicals
□ Rationale for identification of priority chemicals
ㅇ Chemicals that require continuous regulation
ㅇ Chemicals that are highly used in consumer products, detected in biological samples, and have recently been identified as having potential risk
ㅇ Chemicals selected as priority chemicals in other countries
ㅇ Chemical groups that have common adverse outcomes and can be exposed through a variety of products
□ Priority chemicals
ㅇ Phthalates and alternatives
- Detected in high levels in children's products, children’s activity zones, and biological samples
- Chemicals contained in food and consumer products that show increased consumption according to the analysis of consumption patterns
- Integrated risk management of regulated and unregulated phthalates, as well as phthalate alternatives, necessary
ㅇ Flame retardants
- Very little domestic database
ㆍDetected in indoor air, drinking water, and children's products - Selected as priority chemicals in other countries
ㆍThe first priority chemical-product in California’s SPC was flame retardants in children’s bedding. - High possibility of exposure through furniture, electronics, and clothing
ㅇ Phenols
- Detected in high levels in biological samples but exposure database lacking
- Potential exposure through food, pharmaceuticals, and hygiene products
ㆍIncreased consumption of relevant products in households with children
- Relatively easy to reduce exposure through green consumption
2. Policy suggestions
ㅇ Establishment of receptor-oriented management of children’s living environment
- Migrate from the current isolated management of product-activity zone-food to integrated management that considers children’s exposure levels
ㆍExamples from other countries, such as Denmark, show the potential for integrated risk management.
ㆍMethodologies currently under development aim for integrated risk management.
ㆍCumulative risk assessment of some chemical groups are being conducted in Korea.
- Develop policy based on key exposure pathways identified from biomonitoring surveys
ㅇ Policy implementation based on scientific evidence
- Establish children’s living environment management policies based on scientific evidence
ㆍThis study demonstrated the potential for selection of priority chemicals and improvement of policy by analyzing national biomonitoring surveys, surveys on children's products and activity zones, and household expenditure surveys.
ㆍExamples from other countries demonstrate that results from biomonitoring surveys and risk assessments planned to reflect policy demands can be used as a basis for policy development and as a tool for efficacy assessment.
- Increase data accessibility and strengthen linkages among national statistical data
ㅇ Transition to green consumption
- Integrate consumption pattern data in risk management
ㆍUtilize expenditure data from households with children in exposure assessment
ㆍIdentify key management points related to consumption
- Integrate the concept of risk management in life cycle assessment
ㆍAttempts are being made abroad to link risk assessment and chemical/product life cycle assessment.
ㆍHuman health impacts as well as environmental impacts must be considered in life cycle assessment.
- Promote changes in consumption patterns
ㆍDevelop measures to deviate from consuming products that contain priority chemicals
ㆍStrengthen risk communication - Adaptation of SPC
ㆍExplore means to transition to green industry so that the reduction of hazardous chemicals can bring about economic benefits
ㆍCreate a framework in which companies voluntarily invest in green industry, and consumers support such process
Ⅶ. Conclusion
1. Conclusion
ㅇ We selected priority chemicals for risk management by analyzing children’s living environment management status and exposure status.
ㅇ We analyzed risk management methodologies for children and proposed a policy framework for linking integrated risk management and green consumption.
2. Future plans
□ 2nd Year
ㅇ Establish strategies and specific methodologies for building a green living environment for children
- Identify improvement points for risk assessment and risk reduction of priority chemicals
- Explore the possibility of adapting the methodologies reviewed in the 1st year
- Gather opinions through consumer surveys and catalogue green consumption behavior
- Establish strategies for a pilot study
□ 3rd Year
ㅇ Establish a plan for the greening of children’s living environment
- Conduct a pilot study for risk reduction and green consumption promotion
- Review and improve strategies for risk reduction and green consumption promotion
- Propose a plan for the management of priority chemicals and for the transition to a green living environment for children
- Establish a roadmap for risk reduction by establishing the roles of stakeholders, including policy, technology, and consumption