Journal of Environmental Health Sciences (한국환경보건학회지)

Korean Society of Environmental Health (한국환경보건학회)
권호 표지
DOI QR코드

DOI QR Code

Exposure Assessment and Asbestosis Pulmonum among Inhabitants near Abandoned Asbestos Mines Using Deposited Dust

폐석면광산 주변 지역의 주택 침적먼지의 석면 검출과 석면폐증의 관련성

  • Ahn, Hoki (Department of Occupational Health, Catholic University of Daegu) ;
  • Yang, Wonho (Department of Occupational Health, Catholic University of Daegu) ;
  • Hwangbo, Young (Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Soonchunhyang University) ;
  • Lee, Yong Jin (Environmental Health Center of Asbestos, Cheonan Hospital, Soonchunhyang University)
  • 안호기 (대구가톨릭대학교 산업보건학과) ;
  • 양원호 (대구가톨릭대학교 산업보건학과) ;
  • 황보영 (순천향대학교 의과대학 예방의학교실) ;
  • 이용진 (순천향대학교 천안병원 석면폐질환센터)
  • Received : 2015.04.15
  • Accepted : 2015.12.15
  • Published : 2015.12.28
Download PDF
⟨ Previous Next ⟩

Abstract

Objectives: The lack of reliable information on environmental pollution and health impacts related to asbestos contamination from abandoned mines has drawn attention to the need for a community health study. This study was performed to evaluate asbestos-related health symptoms among residents near abandoned asbestos mines located in the Chungcheong Provinces. In addition, exposure assessment for asbestos is needed although the exposure to asbestos was in the past. Methods: Past exposure to asbestos among inhabitants near abandoned asbestos mines was estimated by using surface sampling of deposited dust in indoor and outdoor residences. A total of 54 participants were divided into two groups with (34 cases) and without (20 controls) diseases related to asbestos. Surface sampling of deposited dust was carried out in indoor and outdoor residences by collecting 105 samples. Deposited dust for sampling was analyzed by polarization microscope (PLM) and scanning electron microscope?energy dispersive x-ray spectrometer (SEM-EDX) to detect asbestos. Subsequently, the elements of the deposited dust with asbestos were analyzed by SEM-EDX to assess the contribution of sources such as abandoned mines, slate and soil. Results: Among the 105 samples, asbestos was detected by PLM in 29 (27.6%) sampling points, and detected by SEM in 56 (48.6%) sampling points. Asbestos in indoor residences was detected by PLM in four sampling points, and by SEM in 12 sampling points. Asbestos detection in indoor residences may be due to ventilation between indoors and outdoors, and indicates long-term exposure. The asbestos detection rate for outdoor residences in the case group was higher than that in the control group. This can be explained as the case group having had higher exposure to asbestos, and there has been continuous exposure to asbestos in the control group as well as the case group. Conclusion: Past residential asbestos exposure may be associated with asbestosis among local residents near abandoned asbestos mines. Odds ratios were calculated for asbestos detection in outdoor residence by logistic regression analysis. Odds ratio between asbestos detection and asbestosis pulmonum was 3.36 (95% CI 0.90-12.53) (p=0.072), adjusting for age, sex, smoking status and work history with multi-variable logistic regression by PLM analysis method.

Keywords

References

  1. Lee Y, Park C, Kim Y, Jang E. The prevalence of asbestos related pleural plaque among residents living near asbestos mines in korea. Korean Journal of Occupational And Environmental Medicine. 2012; 24(1): 1-10
  2. Ahn YS, Kang SK. Asbestos-related occupational cancers compensated under the Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance in Korea. Ind Health. 2009; 47(2): 113-22. https://doi.org/10.2486/indhealth.47.113
  3. Becklake, MR. Asbestos-related diseases of the lung and other organs: their epidemiology and implications for clinical practice. Am rev Respir Dis. 1976; 114(1): 187-227.
  4. HEI.AR. Asbestos in public and commercial buildings: A literature review and synthesis of current knowledge. 1991; Cambridge Massachusetts: Health Effects Institute-Asbestos Research.
  5. Craighead JE, Mossman BT. The pathogenesis of asbestos-related diseases. N Engl J Med. 1982; 306: 1446-145. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJM198206173062403
  6. Kang DM. The relationship between environmental asbestos exposure and malignant mesothelioma in Busan, Korea. International Asbestos Conference, Yokohama. 2007; 37-254.
  7. US EPA. World trade center background study report. 2003.
  8. Park DY, Paik NW. Worker exposure to asbestos fibers in asbestos slate manufacturing and asbestos textile industries. Kor J Env Hlth Soc. 1998; 14: 13-27.
  9. ASTM Standard. Standard practice for collection of surface dust by air sampling pump vacuum technique for subsequent lead determination. American Society for Testing and Materials, 2001.
  10. NIOSH. Asbestos (bulk) by PLM 9002: NIOSH Manual of Analytical Methods (4th Ed.), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Heath, 1994.
  11. Willis RD. SEM/EDX Data Validation, Quality assessment, and standard operating procedures. Man Tech Environmental Technology. 2000.
  12. Coelho P, Silva S, Roma-Torres J, Costa C, Henriques A, Teixeira J, et al. Health impact of living near an abandoned mine - case study : Jales mines. International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health. 2007; 201: 399-402.
  13. Fowler DP, Chatfield EJ. Surface sampling for asbestos risk assessment. British Occupational Hygiene Society. 1997; 41: 279-286. https://doi.org/10.1093/annhyg/41.inhaled_particles_VIII.279
  14. Shao, Y. Physic and Modeling of Wind Erosion, Kluwer Academic Publishers, 2000.
  15. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (2001) Procedures Document for National Emission Inventory, Criteria Air Pollutants 1985-1999, 10.
  16. Kim H. Optimization of Fugitive Dust Control System for Meteorological Conditions. Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment. 2005; 21(6): 573-583.