| Summary: | Particulate matter (PM) can cause illness, including respiratory diseases, and PM<sub>2.5</sub> compositions are likely to vary according to the emission profiles of industrial complexes. This study analyzed and compared the concentrations and distributions of PM<sub>2.5</sub> and heavy metals in two regions of Republic of Korea: Yeosu·Gwangyang, which houses a massive national industrial complex, and Dangjin, which houses power plants. Further, we conducted a health risk assessment on the residents of the areas near these industrial complexes. Measurements were taken at five different points in each setting over a two-year period from August 2020 to August 2022. We found differences in PM<sub>2.5</sub> concentrations and heavy metal composition ratios across the sites. Specifically, PM<sub>2.5</sub> concentrations exceeded the standard of 1 at all measurement sites, while the specific heavy metals exceeding the standard varied across the sites. Ultimately, we observed regional differences in PM<sub>2.5</sub> composition across measurement sites across and within the two regions and variations in health risks and according health effects due to the absence of PM<sub>2.5</sub> toxicity values, and compared the health risks of two industrial complexes with different characteristics. These findings underscore the importance of considering not only PM<sub>2.5</sub> but also its composition in exposure and health risk assessments.
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