National Institute of Environmental Research, Republic of Korea

Network of WHO Collaborating Centres for Children’s Environmental Health

The WHO Collaborating Centre for Vulnerable Populations and Environmental Health at the National Institute of Environmental Research (NIER) in the Republic of Korea, conducts scientific research to improve the health of children, pregnant women, and the elderly, who are the most vulnerable to environmental health issues. Specifically, NIER Centre research examines how exposure to metals, phthalates, and phenols affects the health of these vulnerable populations.

In a global network of researchers committed to protecting children’s environmental health, the NIER Centre is:

• Conducting collaborative research projects aimed at finding risk factors for environment-related disorders in vulnerable populations, including infants, children, and pregnant women.
• Building research capacity in developing countries, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region.
• Hosting and participating in international programs and collaborative research on vulnerable populations and environmental health.

Centre Contact	Hyenmi Chung Director, NIER WHO Collaborating Centre; Director General, Environmental Health Research Department, NIER hyenmic@korea.kr
Mail Address	National Institute of Environmental Research, Hwangyong-ro 42, Seo-gu, Incheon, 22687, Republic of Korea
Website Links	NIER - National Institute of Environmental Research WHO Colaborating Centre
Collaborators	Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea Dankook University, Yongin, Republic of Korea Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
Chemicals/Exposures Studied	Exposure assessment in biological samples: Metals (lead, mercury, cadmium), Phthalates metabolites (MEOHP, MEHHP), Environmental phenols (bisphenol F, bisphenol S), PAHs metabolites (1-Hydroxypyrene), Cotinine, pesticides, VOCs, NO2 Exposure assessment in indoor environments: PM10, PM2.5, Formaldehyde, NO2, Dust mites, Endotoxin, 2-butanone, Ethylacetate, Chloroform, Benzene, Trichloroethylene, Methyl 2-pentanone, Toluene, Tetrachloroethylene, Ethylbenzene, m,p-Xylene, Styrene, o-Xylene, α-Pinene, β-Pinene, 1,4-Dichlorobenzene, D-Limonene, Electromagnetic field
Health or Social Effects Studied	Pregnancy and birth outcomes, growth and endocrine systems, neurodevelopment, social, and emotional development, allergic diseases, respiratory diseases, and mental health (stress, depression)
Population(s) Studied	Birth cohort study: mothers and children (Korean Children's Environmental Health Study, Ko-CHENS) Human biomonitoring: general populations (Korean National Environmental Health Study, Ko-NEHS) Health effects survey: humidifier disinfectant victims, residents in areas of environmental concerns (e.g. industrial complexes, abandoned mines, coal-fired plants, landfills, etc.)

Publications

2020

• Shah-Kulkarni S, SB Lee, KS Jeong, YC Hong, HS Park, M Ha, YH Kim, EH Ha. 2020. Prenatal exposure to mixture of heavy metals and neurodevelopment in infants at 6 months. Environmental Research 182, 109-122, March 2020. [Abstract Shah-Kulkarni S, SB Lee, KS Jeong, YC Hong, HS Park, M Ha, YH Kim, EH Ha. 2020. Prenatal exposure to mixture of heavy metals and neurodevelopment in infants at 6 months. Environmental Research 182, 109-122, March 2020.]

2019

• Park CH, MY Hwang, YW Baek, SW Jung, YM Lee, DM Paek, KH Choi. 2019. Urinary phthalate metabolite and bisphenol A levels in the Korean adult population in association with sociodemographic and behavioral characteristics: Korean National Environmental Health Survey (KoNEHS) 2012-2014. Int J Hyg Environ Health 222(5):903-910. [Abstract Park CH, MY Hwang, YW Baek, SW Jung, YM Lee, DM Paek, KH Choi. 2019. Urinary phthalate metabolite and bisphenol A levels in the Korean adult population in association with sociodemographic and behavioral characteristics: Korean National Environmental Health Survey (KoNEHS) 2012-2014. Int J Hyg Environ Health 222(5):903-910.]
• Yoo, SE, JS Park, SH Lee, CH Park, CW Lee, SB Lee, SD Yu, SY Kim, and H Kim. 2019. Comparison of Short-term Association between PM_2.5 components and mortality across Six Major Cities in South Korea. Int. J Environ Res Public Health. 16(16): 2872. [Abstract Yoo, SE, JS Park, SH Lee, CH Park, CW Lee, SB Lee, SD Yu, SY Kim, and H Kim. 2019. Comparison of Short-term Association between PM_2.5 components and mortality across Six Major Cities in South Korea. Int. J Environ Res Public Health. 16(16): 2872.]

2018

• Lee KS, YH Lim, KN Kim, YH Choi, YC Hong, N Lee. 2018. Urinary Phthalate Metabolites Concentrations and Symptoms of Depression in an Elderly Population. Science of the Total Environment 625(1): 1191-1197. [Abstract Lee KS, YH Lim, KN Kim, YH Choi, YC Hong, N Lee. 2018. Urinary Phthalate Metabolites Concentrations and Symptoms of Depression in an Elderly Population. Science of the Total Environment 625(1): 1191-1197.]

2016

• Shah-Kulkarni S, Ha M, Kim BM, Kim E, Hong YC, Park H, Kim Y, Kim BN, Chang N, Oh SY, Kimʼs YJ, Lee B, Ha EH.2016. Neurodevelopment in Early Childhood Affected by Prenatal Lead Exposure and Iron Intake. Medicine (Baltimore) 95(4): e2508 doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000002508. [Abstract Shah-Kulkarni S, Ha M, Kim BM, Kim E, Hong YC, Park H, Kim Y, Kim BN, Chang N, Oh SY, Kimʼs YJ, Lee B, Ha EH.2016. Neurodevelopment in Early Childhood Affected by Prenatal Lead Exposure and Iron Intake. Medicine (Baltimore) 95(4): e2508 doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000002508.]
• Choi WJ, Kwon HJ, Lim MH, Lim JA, Ha M. Blood lead, parental marital status and the risk of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in elementary school children: A longitudinal study. Psychiatry Res. 2016 Feb 28;236:42-6. doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2016.01.002. [Abstract Choi WJ, Kwon HJ, Lim MH, Lim JA, Ha M. Blood lead, parental marital status and the risk of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in elementary school children: A longitudinal study. Psychiatry Res. 2016 Feb 28;236:42-6. doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2016.01.002.]

2015

• Kwon JH, Kim E, Chang MH, Park EA, Hong YC, Ha M, Park H, Kim Y, Park C, Ha EH. Indoor total volatile organic compounds exposure at 6 months followed by atopic dermatitis at 3 years in children. Pediatr Allergy Immunol. 2015 Jun;26(4):352-8. doi: 10.1111/pai.12393. [Abstract Kwon JH, Kim E, Chang MH, Park EA, Hong YC, Ha M, Park H, Kim Y, Park C, Ha EH. Indoor total volatile organic compounds exposure at 6 months followed by atopic dermatitis at 3 years in children. Pediatr Allergy Immunol. 2015 Jun;26(4):352-8. doi: 10.1111/pai.12393.]
• Chung SE, Cheong HK, Ha EH, Kim BN, Ha M, Kim Y, Hong YC, Park H, Oh SY. Maternal Blood Manganese and Early Neurodevelopment: The Mothers and Children's Environmental Health (MOCEH) Study. Environ Health Perspect. 2015 Jul;123(7):717-22. doi: 10.1289/ehp.1307865. [Abstract Chung SE, Cheong HK, Ha EH, Kim BN, Ha M, Kim Y, Hong YC, Park H, Oh SY. Maternal Blood Manganese and Early Neurodevelopment: The Mothers and Children's Environmental Health (MOCEH) Study. Environ Health Perspect. 2015 Jul;123(7):717-22. doi: 10.1289/ehp.1307865.]
• Jeong KS, Park H, Ha E, Hong YC, Ha M, Park H, Kim BN, Lee BE, Lee SJ, Lee KY, Kim JH, Kim Y. Performance IQ in children is associated with blood cadmium concentration in early pregnancy. J Trace Elem Med Biol. 2015 Apr;30:107-11. doi:10.1016/j.jtemb.2014.11.007. [Abstract Jeong KS, Park H, Ha E, Hong YC, Ha M, Park H, Kim BN, Lee BE, Lee SJ, Lee KY, Kim JH, Kim Y. Performance IQ in children is associated with blood cadmium concentration in early pregnancy. J Trace Elem Med Biol. 2015 Apr;30:107-11. doi:10.1016/j.jtemb.2014.11.007.]
• Jeong KS, Park H, Ha E, Hong YC, Ha M, Park H, Kim BN, Lee SJ, Lee KY, Kim JH,Kim Y. Evidence that cognitive deficit in children is associated not only with iron deficiency, but also with blood lead concentration: a preliminary study. J Trace Elem Med Biol. 2015 Jan;29:336-41. doi: 10.1016/j.jtemb.2014.08.014. [Abstract Jeong KS, Park H, Ha E, Hong YC, Ha M, Park H, Kim BN, Lee SJ, Lee KY, Kim JH,Kim Y. Evidence that cognitive deficit in children is associated not only with iron deficiency, but also with blood lead concentration: a preliminary study. J Trace Elem Med Biol. 2015 Jan;29:336-41. doi: 10.1016/j.jtemb.2014.08.014.]
• Kim JH, Jeong KS, Ha EH, Park H, Ha M, Hong YC, Bhang SY, Lee SJ, Lee KY, Lee SH, Kim Y, Kim MH, Chang N. 2015. Relationship between prenatal and postnatal exposures to folate and risks of allergic and respiratory diseases in early childhood. Pediatr Pulmonol 50(2):155-163; doi: 10.1002/ppul.23025. [Abstract Kim JH, Jeong KS, Ha EH, Park H, Ha M, Hong YC, Bhang SY, Lee SJ, Lee KY, Lee SH, Kim Y, Kim MH, Chang N. 2015. Relationship between prenatal and postnatal exposures to folate and risks of allergic and respiratory diseases in early childhood. Pediatr Pulmonol 50(2):155-163; doi: 10.1002/ppul.23025.]

2014

• Hong YC, Kulkarni SS, Lim YH, Kim E, Ha M, Park H, Kim Y, Kim BN, Chang N, Oh SY, Kim YJ, Park C, Ha EH. Postnatal growth following prenatal lead exposure and calcium intake. Pediatrics. 2014 Dec;134(6):1151-9. doi: 10.1542/peds.2014-1658. [Full Text Hong YC, Kulkarni SS, Lim YH, Kim E, Ha M, Park H, Kim Y, Kim BN, Chang N, Oh SY, Kim YJ, Park C, Ha EH. Postnatal growth following prenatal lead exposure and calcium intake. Pediatrics. 2014 Dec;134(6):1151-9. doi: 10.1542/peds.2014-1658.]
• Ha M, Kwon HJ, Leem JH, Kim HC, Lee KJ, Park I, Lim YW, Lee JH, Kim Y, Seo JH,Hong SJ, Choi YH, Yu J, Kim J, Yu SD, Lee BE. Korean Environmental Health Survey in Children and Adolescents (KorEHS-C): survey design and pilot study results on selected exposure biomarkers. Int J Hyg Environ Health. 2014 Mar;217(2-3):260-70.doi: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2013.06.001. [Abstract Ha M, Kwon HJ, Leem JH, Kim HC, Lee KJ, Park I, Lim YW, Lee JH, Kim Y, Seo JH,Hong SJ, Choi YH, Yu J, Kim J, Yu SD, Lee BE. Korean Environmental Health Survey in Children and Adolescents (KorEHS-C): survey design and pilot study results on selected exposure biomarkers. Int J Hyg Environ Health. 2014 Mar;217(2-3):260-70.doi: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2013.06.001.]
• Eum JH, Cheong HK, Ha EH, Ha M, Kim Y, Hong YC, Park H, Chang N. 2014. Maternal blood manganese level and birth weight: a MOCEH birth cohort study. Environ Health 13(1):31; doi: 10.1186/1476-069X-13-31.
• Kim E, Park H, Hong YC, Ha M, Kim Y, Kim BN, Kim Y, Roh YM, Lee BE, Ryu JM, Kim BM, Ha EH. 2014. Prenatal exposure to PM₁₀ and NO₂ and children's neurodevelopment from birth to 24 months of age: Mothers and Children's Environmental Health (MOCEH) study. Sci Total Environ 481:439-445; doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2014.01.107. [Abstract Kim E, Park H, Hong YC, Ha M, Kim Y, Kim BN, Kim Y, Roh YM, Lee BE, Ryu JM, Kim BM, Ha EH. 2014. Prenatal exposure to PM₁₀ and NO₂ and children's neurodevelopment from birth to 24 months of age: Mothers and Children's Environmental Health (MOCEH) study. Sci Total Environ 481:439-445; doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2014.01.107.]
• Lee BE, Park H, Hong YC, Ha M, Kim Y, Chang N, Kim BN, Kim YH, Yu SD, Ha EH. 2014. Prenatal bisphenol A and birth outcomes: MOCEH (Mothers and Children's Environmental Health) study. Int J Hyg Environ Health 217(2-3):328-334; doi: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2013.07.005.

2013

• Hur J, Kim H, Ha EH, Park H, Ha M, Kim Y, Hong YC, Chang N. 2013. Birth weight of Korean infants is affected by the interaction of maternal iron intake and GSTM1 polymorphism. J Nutr 143(1):67-73; doi: 10.3945/jn.112.161638.
• Hwang JY, Lee JY, Kim KN, Kim H, Ha EH, Park H, Ha M, Kim Y, Hong YC, Chang N. 2013. Maternal iron intake at mid-pregnancy is associated with reduced fetal growth: results from Mothers and Children's Environmental Health (MOCEH) study. Nutr J 12:38; doi: 10.1186/1475-2891-12-38.
• Kim Y, Ha EH, Park H, Ha M, Kim Y, Hong YC, Kim EJ, Kim BN. 2013. Prenatal lead and cadmium co-exposure and infant neurodevelopment at 6 months of age: the Mothers and Children’s Environmental Health (MOCEH) study. Neurotoxicology 35:15-22; doi: 10.1016/j.neuro.2012.11.006.
• Kim JH, Jeong KS, Ha EH, Park H, Ha M, Hong YC, Lee SJ, Lee KY, Jeong J, Kimg Y. 2013. Association between prenatal exposure to cadmium and atopic dermatitis in infancy J Korean Med Sci 28(4):516-521; doi: 10.3346/jkms.2013.28.4.516.
• Kim H, Kim KN, Hwang JY, Ha EH, Park H, Ha M, Kim Y, Hong YC, Chang N. 2013. Relation between serum folate status and blood mercury concentrations in pregnant women. Nutrition 29(3):514-518; doi: 10.1016/j.nut.2012.08.012.
• Lee YA, Hwang YJ, Kim H, Kim KN, Ha EH, Park H, Ha M, Kim Y, Hong YC, Chang N. 2013. Relationship between maternal sodium intake and blood lead concentration during pregnancy. Br J Nutr 109(5):853-858; doi: 10.1017/S0007114512002760.

2012

• Chang MH, Park H, Ha M, Kim Y, Hong YC, Ha EH. 2012. Characteristics of humidifier use in Korean pregnant women: the MOCEH study. Environ Health Toxicol 27:e2012003; doi: 10.5620/eht.2012.27.e2012003.
• Kim H, Hwang JY, Kim KN, Ha EH, Park H, Ha M, Lee KY, Hong YC, Tamura T, Chang N. 2012. Relationship between body-mass index and serum folate concentrations in pregnant women. Eur J Clin Nutr 66(1):136-138; doi: 10.1038/ejcn.2011.160.

2011

• Kim H, Hwang JY, Ha EH, Park H, Ha M, Lee SJ, Hong YC, Chang N. 2011. Association of maternal folate nutrition and serum C-reactive protein concentrations with gestational age at delivery. Eur J Clin Nutr 65(3):350-356; doi: 10.1038/ejcn.2010.267.
• Kim Y, Ha EH, Kim EJ, Park H, Ha M, Kim JH, Hong YC, Chang N, Kim BN. 2011. Prenatal exposure to phthalates and infant development at six months: prospective Mothers and Children’s Environmental Health (MOCEH) study. Environ Health Perspect 119(10):1495-1500; doi: 10.1289/ehp.1003178.
• Kim BM, Lee BE, Hong YC, Park H, Ha M, Kim YJ, Kim Y, Chang N, Kim BN, Oh SY, Yoo M, Ha EH. 2011. Mercury levels in maternal and cord blood and attained weight through the 24 months of life. Sci Total Environ 410-411:26-33; doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2011.08.060.
• Kim H, Hwang JY, Ha EH, Park H, Ha M, Lee SH, Hong YC, Chang N. 2011. Fruit and vegetable intake influences the association between exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and a marker of oxidative stress in pregnant women. Eur J Clin Nutr 65(10):1118-1125; doi: 10.1038/ejcn.2011.77.
• Lee BE, Hong YC, Park H, Ha M, Kim JH, Chang N, Roh YM, Kim BN, Kim Y, Oh SY, Kim YJ, Ha EH. 2011. Secondhand smoke exposure during pregnancy and infantile neurodevelopment. Environ Res 111(4):539-544; doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2011.02.014.
• Lee YA, Hwang JY, Kim H, Ha EH, Park H, Ha M, Kim Y, Hong YC, Chang N. 2011. Relationships of maternal zinc intake from animal foods with fetal growth. Br J Nutr 106(2):237-242; doi: 10.1017/S0007114510005878.
• Lee BE, Ha M, Park H, Hong YC, Kim Y, Kim YJ, Ha EH. 2011. Psychosocial work stress during pregnancy and birth weight. Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol 25(3):246-254; doi: 10.1111/j.1365-3016.2010.01177.x.

2010

• Lee BE, Hong YC, Park H, Ha M, Koo BS, Chang N, Roh YM, Kim BN, Kim YJ, Kim BM, Jo SJ, Ha EH. 2010. Interaction between GSTM1/GSTT1 polymorphism and blood mercury on birth weight. Environ Health Perspect 118(3):437-443; doi: 10.1289/ehp.0900731.
• Kim H, Lee HJ, Hwang JY, Ha EH, Park H, Ha M, Kim JH, Hong YC, Chang N. 2010. Blood cadmium concentrations of male cigarette smokers are inversely associated with fruit consumption. J Nutr 140(6):1133-1138; doi: 10.3945/jn.109.120659.

2009

• Kim BM, Ha M, Park HS, Lee BE, Kim YJ, Hong YC, Kim Y, Chang N, Roh YM, Kim BN, Oh SY, Ha EH, MOCEH Study Group. 2009. The mothers and children's environmental health (MOCEH) study. Eur J Epidemiol 24(9):573-583; doi: 10.1007/s10654-009-9370-7.

2008

• Lee AY, Kim H, Kim KN, Ha E, Park H, Ha M, Kim Y, Hong Y, Chang N. 2008. The association of maternal food intake and blood lead levels in pregnant and their newborns. Mol Cell Toxicol 4(1):61-65.