Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene (한국산업보건학회지)
- Volume 1 Issue 2
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- Pages.144-153
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- 1991
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- 2384-132X(pISSN)
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- 2289-0564(eISSN)
Characterization of Worker Exposure to Airborne Asbestos in Asbestos Industry
석면취급 사업장 근로자의 석면폭로 특성에 관한 연구
- Paik, Nam Won (School of Public Health, Seoul National University) ;
- Lee, Young Hwan (School of Public Health, Seoul National University)
- Published : 1991.11.30
Abstract
This study was conducted to evaluate worker exposure to airborne asbestos fibers by industry, and to evaluate polarized-light microscopy for determining airborne asbestos fibers. A total of 11 plants including asbestos textile, brake-lining manufacturing, slate manufacturing, and automobile maintenance shops were investigated. Rsults of the study are summarized as follows. 1. Worker exposure levels to airborne asbestos fibers were the highest in asbestos textile industry, followed by brake-lining manufacturing, slate manufacturing, and automobile maintenance shops, in order. In asbestos textile industry, large variation of asbestos levels was found by plants. The worst plant indicated airborne fiber concentrations in excess of 10 fibers/cc, however, the best plant showed concentrations within 0.50 fibers/cc. 2. Characterization of airborne fibers by industry indicated that fibers from asbestos textile industry were the longest with the largest aspect ratio. Fibers from automobile maintenance shops were the shortest with the smallest aspect ratio. Based on characteristics of fibers and the highest levels of concentrations, it is concluded that workers in the asbestos textile industry are exposed to the highest risk of producing asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma. 3. Result s obtained using polarized-light microscopy were
Keywords
- airborne asbestos concentration;
- characterization of airborne asbestos by industry;
- polarized-light microscopy for airborne asbestos analysis