• Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.209-216
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• 2013

This study focused on a comprehensive and detailed interpretation for the springtime air quality influenced by both artificial (particulate matter (PM) and asbestos) and biological (pollen) sources in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. An intensive measurement of PM was conducted at four characteristic sites (i.e., a heavy traffic area, a residential area, an industrial area, and a desolate area) in the Fukuoka Prefecture during spring of 2007. Analysis of major ionic species in $PM_{2.5}$ was performed by an Ion Chromatography, and asbestos and pollen were identified by Scanning Electron Microscopy with an energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDX). $PM_{2.5}$ concentration ($65.3{\mu}gm^{-3}$) measured in an industrial area (site C) was extraordinarily high compared to those monitored in other areas; it greatly exceeded the Japan's $PM_{2.5}$ criteria (a daily average of $35{\mu}gm^{-3}$). NOAA's HYSPLIT dispersion model suggests that this high level of $PM_{2.5}$ monitored at site C is unlikely to affect the Asian continent. The ambient concentrations of $PM_{2.5}$-related anions ($NH_4{^+}$, $NO_3{^-}$, and $SO_4{^{2-}}$) and their relative contributions to $PM_{2.5}$ were also investigated in four study areas. The concentrations of these major water-soluble ions exhibit not only strong spatial dependence but also different ratios to each other. Asbestos fiber (crocidolite and amosite) concentration values changed in the range of 2.5 to 14.4 f per liter of air. The number of pollen grains showed that Cedar ranked higher in concentration than other types of pollen, with the maximum concentration at site A.

• Proceedings of the Korea Concrete Institute Conference
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• 1996.04a
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• pp.1-6
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• 1996

Cellulose fiber reinforced cement composites manufactured by the slurry-dewatering process have found broad applications in thin cement products as replacement for asbestos cement. This paper focuses on the durability characteristics of these composites under different aging conditions. The effects of wetting-drying and freezing-thaw cycles, carbonation, and exposure to hot and humid environments on the structure and properties of cellulose fiber-cement composites were investigated. The predominant mechanisms of aging in the composites were identified through investigation of structure-property relationships. Measures to control these aging mechanisms were diversed and evaluated. Refined cellulose fiber-cement composites are shown to possess excellent durability characteristics under the effects of various aging processes.

• International Journal of Concrete Structures and Materials
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• v.18 no.3E
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• pp.161-164
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• 2006

Cellulose fiber reinforced cement(CFRC) pipe has been gradually introduced in the pipe market as a replacement of previously popular asbestos cement pipes. Since CFRC pipe is still relatively unknown in the pipe market, there are great concerns for the design and application in practice related to the time-dependent behavior of CFRC under long-term sustained loading. This paper presents an experimental investigation of the time-dependent behavior of cellulose fiber reinforced cement(CFRC) pipe. A total of six CFRC pipes were tested under various loading levels, and their vertical deformation was recorded to understand the characteristics of the time-dependent behavior. Based on the test results, a factor of safety(FS) of 1.82 is proposed, and a regression factor(R) of 1.88 is estimated for the application of CFRC pipes in practice.

• Journal of Ocean Engineering and Technology
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.49-55
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• 2000

This study has been investigated to apply fiber reinforced composites instead of asbestos as a friction material. the reinforced used was E-glass fiber and binder resin was phenol having good mechanical properties and heat resistance. And it has been also investigated the effect of molding conditions and some additives such and carbon black, alumina and rubber powder in E-glass fiber/phenol resin composite on the friction on the friction and wear characteristics. As a result, it was found that the molding conditions of E-glass fiber/phenol resin composites for friction materials had to be different from those of phenol resin and was found that the wear rate of E-glass fiber/phenol resin composites added alumina powder was higher than of composites added carbon black in the same wear distance. And it was found that friction coefficient of E-glass/phenol resin composites added carbon black was decreased and that of the composites added the powder of natural rubber and ABS rubber were increased compared to the composites.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.47 no.5
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• pp.479-488
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• 2014

Naturally occurring asbestos (NOA) from disturbance of rocks and soils has been overlooked as a source of exposure that could potentially have a detrimental impact on human health. But, few researches on mineralogical characteristics of NOA occurred in soils have been reported in Korea. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the mineralogical characteristics of NOA occurred in soils at Daero-ri area, Seosan, Chungnam Province, Korea. Sedimentation method was used for particle size separation of the asbestos-containing soils. XRD and PLM analyses were used to characterize mineralogical characteristics and mineral assemblages in soils. SEM-EDS and TEM-EDS analyses were used to characterize mineral morphology and chemical composition. Particle size analyses of the asbestos-containing soils showed they were composed of 26-93% sand, 4-23% silt and 3-70% clay. Soil texture of the soils was mainly sand, sandy loam, sandy clay, and clay. PLM analyses of the soil showed that most of the soil contained asbestiform tremolite and actinolite. The average content of asbestos in the soil was 1.5 wt. %. Therefore, the soil can be classified into asbestos-contaminated soils based on U. S. Environmental Protection Agency classification (content of asbestos in contaminated soil > 1%). Morphologically different types of tremolite such as long fibrous, needle-like, fiber bundle, bladed and prismatic forms co-existed. Prismatic tremolite was dominant in sand fraction and asbestiform tremolite was dominant in silt fraction. This study indicates that the prismatic form of tremolite transform gradually into a fibrous form of tremolite due to soil weathering because tremolite asbestos was mainly existed in silt fraction rather than sand fraction.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.95-104
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• 2012

Electron microscopy of the tremolite-actinolite series amphiboles from the naturally occurring asbestos locality showed the morphological diversity including fibrous, acicular, and prismatic. Very thin, long, and flexible fibers of constant width form ropy bundles or mats. Acicular particles are slightly thick, long, elastic, and easily separated from the bundle of parallel rods. Acicular fragments of lower aspect ratio are formed during the crushing of the amphibole prism. Morphological features of the amphiboles are different depending on their localities and vary in a specimen. Morphological continuum between amphibole fiber and prism requires the establishment of reliable identification criterions and sample preparation protocol based on the relation between carcinogenicity and morphological features.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.273-279
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• 2017

Objectives: Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are next-generation industrial nanoparticles which possess excellent mechanical strength along with good thermal conductivity and electric properties. Given these characteristics, carbon nanotubes are being widely applied in various fields, including research and development. However, concerns have been raised over hazardous properties due to their similar fiber shape to asbestos. Recent studies have shown that CNTs pose potential hazards which may cause fibrosis and/or lung inflammation similarly to asbestos. Methods: After intratracheal instillation of SWCNTs and MWCNTs to rats, pulmonary surfactant (PS) of the SWCNTs and MWCNTs was measured and analyzed using bronchoalveolar lavage fluid collected from the lung. After a single intratracheal instillation of SWCNTs and MWCNTs, phospholipid predominantly showed a significant increase compared to the control group, while proteins exhibited a significant increase both three days and one week after instillation. Results: As a result of surface tension, MWCNTs showed a significant decrease three days after treatment compared to the control group. In the case of the total cell number three days after instillation, MWCNTs revealed a temporarily significant increase when compared to the control group. For PMN number, when compared to the control group, SWCNTs displayed a significant increase throughout the observation period, while MWCNTs showed a significant increase three days and three months after treatment. Conclusions: After exposure to CNTs, the total cell number and PNT number, which indicate inflammatory response, were significantly increased. Therefore, this study suggests fiber-shaped CNTs may have a harmful effect on the lungs.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.29 no.2 s.53
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• pp.187-198
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• 1996

The industrial use of MMMF(man-made mineral fibers), has been increasing, particularly since the banning of most asbestos products. Fibrous minerals can cause health abnormalities currently associated with occupational exposure to glass fiber. This study was conducted to evaluate health risks of glass fiber manufactory workers within the country. We examined questionaries, physical examination including auscultation, chest x-ray, pulmonary function test for 488 male workers, to go through their dermal itching symptoms and respiratory evaluation. we had the results as follows. 1. In 45% of the workers itching had been expressed at their entrance. At that time we was investigating, 18.5% had itching, and most of them complained it when they fall asleep and night. The Sequent itching site is waist and groin, upper and lower extremity in order, and it had been expressed mainly during summer and winter. 2. As the results of ventilatory functions test, 6.0% were obstructive type, 1.0% were restrictive type. So, glass fiber exposures should be controlled or elimination by protective devices in the workplace. 3. The means of FVC, $FEV_1,\;FEV_1%$ were in normal range. As the comparison of ventilatory functions by age groups, MMF was decreased significantly for the group, 50 years old and more than other groups. And the comparison by the serving periods at glass fiber producing factory, MMF was decreased for the workers had worked for $11\sim15$ years. Therefore, MMF be more sensitive index in the evaluation of ventilatory impairments caused by glass fiber workers.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.345-350
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• 2012

To investigate the exposure and health risk assessment for the residents near the D-asbestos mine in Chungbuk, Korea. We analyzed asbestos in the 20 ambient air and 23 activity based samples near the mine. The airborne sample results are showed that 8 of 20 samples ranged between 0.0025 to 0.0029 f/cc (fiber per cubic centimeter) and the others were below the detection limit by phase contrast microscopy (PCM). In addition, asbestos fibers were under the detection limit or not being by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Based on interview and survey targeting the local residents, we made the activity based sampling (ABS) scenarios fit to the conditions of field. At the same time, we calculated the excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) of these ABS scenarios according to the ELCR average value and 95% upper confidence limit (UCL). At the case of weed whacking, soil digging and sweeping yard scenario, 95% UCL of ELCR exceeded the $1{\times}10^{-4}$, acceptable risk range for exposure. Based on our study results, it is necessary safety measures such as risk communication, abatement or management of naturally occurring asbestos (NOA).

• Coupled systems mechanics
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.335-349
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• 2017

To cope with the demand on giant and durable buildings, reinforcement of concrete is a practical problem being extensively investigated in the civil engineering field. Among various reinforcing techniques, fiber-reinforced concrete (FRC) has been proven to be an effective approach. In practice, such fibers include steel fibers, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fibers, polyacrylonitrile (PAN) carbon fibers and asbestos fibers, with the length scale ranging from centimeters to micrometers. When advancing such technique down to the nanoscale, it is noticed that carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are stronger than other fibers and can provide a better reinforcement to concrete. In the last decade, CNT-reinforced concrete attracts a lot of attentions in research. Despite high cost of CNTs at present, the growing availability of carbon materials might push the usage of CNTs into practice in the near future, making the reinforcement technique of great potential. A review of existing research works may constitute a conclusive reference and facilitate further developments. In reference to the recent experimental works, this paper reports some key evaluations on CNT-reinforced cementitious materials, covering FRC mechanism, CNT dispersion, CNT-cement structures, mechanical properties and fire safety. Emphasis is placed on the interplay between CNTs and calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H) at the nanoscale. The relationship between the CNTs-cement structures and the mechanical enhancement, especially at a high-temperature condition, is discussed based on molecular dynamics simulations. After concluding remarks, challenges to improve the CNTs reinforcement technique are proposed.