도시지역 저소득계층 보호를 위한 환경정책 연구 Ⅲ-1

Abstract

Environmental Policyfor Low-income People in Urban Areas Ⅲ The purpose of this study is to identify environmental inequities in the distribution of environmental benefits, obligations, and damages among different income groups, with a focus on low-income residents in urban areas (i.e. the Seoul metropolitan area). The study also proposes an integrated environmental policy to protect the low-income population in consideration of the environmental and socioeconomic characteristics of the population and region. The results of environmental monitoring from 2008 to 2009 showed that PM10 was significantly associated with regional location, parental education, and average monthly expenses. There were close relationships among income levels in households, concentrations of some pollutants and children's health status. As a result, this study clearly demonstrated that social and economic status could seriously affect children's environmental exposure, and their vulnerability to certain related, airborne hazardous diseases. In univariate analysis, methacholine challenge test(MCT) positivity and skin prick test(SPT) positivity were not associated with regional and individual socioeconomic position(SEP). Decreased pulmonary functions were associated with lower parental educational level, residence in a socieconomically deprived area, or proximity to an industrial complex. Students with high regional and individual SEP were more likely to suffer allergic rhinitis. However, prevalence of asthma and atopic dermatitis was not associated with regional and individual SEP. After adjusting for parental history of allergic diseases and bronchiolitis episodes in infancy, students exposed to cockroaches etc. in their home were associated with higher risk of asthmatic symptoms than control groups. Moreover, students exposed to high background SO2 were more likely to suffer atopic dermatitis than controls. After adjusting for household income, parental history of allergic diseases, and bronchiolitis episodes in infancy, residents with mold in their home were associated with higher risks of allergic rhinitis symptoms than controls. We assessed the relationship between individual-based exposure to traffic-related air pollutants and allergic diseases in Korean elementary school children. The results of this study suggest that distances from arterial roads and the length of arterial roads around homes are associated with an increased risk of allergic diseases in school children. We included asthma, atopic dermatitis, and allergic rhinitis as environment related diseases, and used household expenditures, educational status, subjective health status(SAH), and disease history as personal factors. We also included the distance between roads and the house, the presence of mold in the house, and the presence of smokers in the family as environmental factors, and used the composite deprivation index of the district as a regional factor. Environmental inequity in obligations accruing to households was investigated by focusing on the distribution of impact in terms of income regressivity through comparative analysis of the environmental costs paid by residents, and the share of income taken thereby among different income groups. A regressive distribution was found to exist for environmental protection expenses such as wastewater treatment charges and garbage bag fees (i.e. expenses paid for municipally marked garbage bags that used to subsidize waste collection) paid by householders directly in the survey area for this study. An equity mapping analysis was used to evaluate the area and accessibility to urban parks by socioeconomic status. This study analyzed the accessibility of park space according to location using a Geographic Information System(GIS). In Bucheon-si, Anyang-si, Goyang-si and Gunpo-si, we found patterns of inequity in the distribution of urban parks, and such inequity can cause environmental inequity due to the lack of opportunity to use the urban parks. In conclusion, to protect the low income classes and secure their environmental equity, four policies will need to be institutionalized and executed. First, institutionalization of legislation related to the Environmental Policy Act definitely has to be promoted. Second, tailored policies that designate "Protected Areas" near local schools or housing estates based on underlying communities with high population density and low income should be promoted, and such policies should be further adapted to elderly residents and single parent households etc. to improve the Indoor Environment by addressing insufficient minimum housing standards. Third, integrated policy and business in conjunction with energy, urban/housing, and welfare policy will need to be promoted. In particular, projects to improve the indoor environment as part of housing improvements for low-income residents need to be promoted in line with energy, housing, urban development and welfare policy. Fourth, to strengthen the capabilities of low-income residents, eco-friendly businesses that interacting with the environment are needed that can generate income while simultaneously responding to environmental issues. Such policies can provide support and aid for low-income residents, and can be promoted and executed in phases in consideration of specific conditions and feasibility. For example, promoting a business strategy and interactive business, including support for capacity building, energy, housing, and welfare for low-income residents, and then implementing policy strategy, through ratification of policy would be an effective and efficient means to promote better outcomes for low income earners.