10pct families in Korea suffer from environmental diseases

Washington, Dec 28 (ANI): A new research has revealed that 10 percent households in Korea have at least one member suffering from an environment-related disease.

The research, conducted on 1,000 adults nationwide by the Ministry of Environment, found that one out of every 10 local households has an environmental disease such as eczema, hay fever or asthma.

Pollutants in the air and man-made structures, which build up in the human body, are responsible for the diseases, reports Environmental News Network.

Some 50.3 percent said they suffered from eczema while runny noses, chronic respiratory ailments and asthma followed. Most picked air pollution as the main cause of the disease.

The study participants said the government needs to label toxic materials used in children's goods, and use environmentally-friendly products in playgrounds and other children's facilities to prevent a prevalence of the ailments among children.

11 general hospitals have been designated by the government to study environment-related disease mechanisms through 2011. (ANI)