This study investigates the relationship between air pollution and lung function in the South Korean adult population using Bayesian Kernel Machine Regression (BKMR). By integrating 2017 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) data with air pollution data, the study examines the individual and joint effects of key air pollutants— \(\hbox {PM}_{10}\) , \(\hbox {PM}_{2.5}\) , \(\hbox {SO}_2\) , \(\hbox {NO}_2\) , \(\hbox {O}_3\) , and CO—on lung function indicators, including COPD (binary) and \(\hbox {FEV}_1/\) FVC (continuous). The findings reveal that \(\hbox {PM}_{10}\) and \(\hbox {O}_3\) have negative effects on lung function, both individually and interactively. As the concentrations of these pollutants increase, the probability of developing COPD and the decline in \(\hbox {FEV}_1/\) FVC become more pronounced. This study highlights the compounded risks posed by pollutant mixtures, providing critical insights for public health interventions and air quality policy improvements in South Korea. Future research directions include addressing time-lagged effects and regional variations to enhance the understanding of these relationships.
