• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.91-98
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• 2013

Interested in NOA (Naturally Occurring Asbestos), Korea as well as the USA has been making geologic maps of asbestos distributed mines and surrounding areas, restoring mines, evaluating hazard, and so on. The result can be used to improve the reliability of analysts and analysis institutions by judging the amount of asbestos and set up PLM(Polarizing Light Microscope) information by analyzing in soil. The certification value of 2 kinds of CRM(Certified Reference Material) was performed by counting total 400 points with EPA 600-R-93-116 method using by PLM. The following is the result of homogeneity and stability of 2 kinds of manufactured CRM analyzed by ANOVA (Analysis of variance) and Regression Analysis. Based on the analyzation, the results are satisfied with homogeneity and long-term stability. The analyzed certification value of CRM includes the range of minimum and maximum value of point counting result for chrysotile; low concentration-1% (range, 0.25~3.00), high concentration-4% (range, 2.25~5.50).

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.263-273
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• 2010

Occupational exposure to wollastonite can occur during its mining, processing and using. Wollastonite was analyzed for its physicochemical properties by transmission electron microscope and scanning electron microscope equipped with energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer. Wollastonite fibers were 3.3${\mu}m$ in diameter(av.) and were 30.5${\mu}m$ in length(av.). The atomic composition of wollastonite was Si 56.41% and Ca 43.59%. Respiratory toxicity of wollastonite has been studied in term sequential in Sprague-Dawely rats. UICC chrysotile (average diameter 0.03${\mu}m$, average length 2.93${\mu}m$) was applied as the positive control. The effects of 2mg wollastonite on respiratory system and pathological changes were evaluated after 1, 4, 8, 12 weeks instilled into rat lungs. Inflammation response broke out from 1 week after instilled with wollastonite and the pathological examination further showed increased legions of granulomatous inflammation after 4 weeks, but decreased granulomatous inflammation after 8 weeks, whereas chrysotile induced progressive interstitial granulomatous inflammation and fibrosis as a function of time.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.165-175
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• 1996

Fourteen(14) large commercial buildings located in Seoul with friable sprayed-on surface insulation material on ceiling were investigated for fiber types in bulk material and for airborne fiber concentrations in buildings by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) in order to compare the results with those by polarized light microscopy (PLM) and phase contrast microscopy (PCM). The results were as follows: 1. Chrysotile asbestos was found in one bulk sample out of total 14 bulk samples collected. Glass fiber and mineral wool were the two major constituents of the bulk samples. 2. The Na-Mg-Si-Ca-Fe-Al ratios of the EDX spectra which were normalized with the Si peak were 0-1.0-10-8.3-4.0-4.0 in mineral wool and 0-5-10-21-0-0 in chrysotile asbestos, respectively. 3. Airborne fiber concentrations were log-normalcy distributed and the geometric mean (geometric standard deviation) fiber concentrations by TEM in the underground parking lots and inside buildings were 0.0048 f/cc(1.93) and 0.0040 f/cc(2.27), respectively with no statistical difference. In the outdoor ambient air, statistically significantly lower concentration of 0.0018 f/cc(2.04) was measured. 4. The TEM/PCM ratios of airborne fiber concentrations ranged 0.5 - 2.0 for 80 % of airborne samples analyzed, end the regression equation between TEM and PCM was PCM=-0.2724+1.1355(TEM) with the coefficient of determination $R^2=0.52$. The results of this study confirmed that the sprayed-on surface insulation material found in some commercial buildings may possibly be contaminated with asbestos fiber. Since statistically significant relationship of fiber concentrations measured by PCM and TEM inside buildings and ambient air was found, previous results by PCM in ambient air could be used to estimate the ambient fiber concentrations in knowing the ratio of TEM/PCM.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.24 no.7
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• pp.927-937
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• 2015

This study was performed to identify and quantify the asbestos fibers released from two types of asbestos-cement slate roofs. One is a plant roof installed in 1987 which contained 15% chrysotile, and the other is a residential roof installed before 1983 which contained 12% chrysotile. The concentrations of asbestos fibers in air surrounding asbestos-cement slate roofs and in the falling water harvested from the same roofs on rainy days ranged from 0.0012 to 0.0018 f/mL and from 1,764 f/L to 10,584 f/L, respectively. The concentration of inorganic fibers in the soil around asbestos-cement slate roofs was from 217 to 348 f/g. With the above results, the excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) for the risk assessment of the asbestos fibers released from asbestos-cement slate based on US EPA IRIS (Integrated risk information system) model is within 5.5E-06 ~ 6.5E-06 levels which indicates that the levels do not exceed "the acceptable risk(1.0E-05)" recommended by WHO. The asbestos concentration in air, drained rainfall and soil around the plant slate roof was higher than that around residential slate roof, but the excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) from residential slate was higher than that from plant slate. This suggested that the enclose and encapsulation of residential roofs have priority in removal policy to minimize the exposure risk.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.52 no.6
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• pp.627-635
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• 2019

Cement-asbestos slate is the main asbestos containing material. It is a product made by combining 10~20% of asbestos and cement components. Man- and weathering-induced degradation of the cement-asbestos slates makes them a source of dispersion of asbestos fibres and represents a priority cause of concern. When the asbestos enters the human body, it causes cellular damage or deformation, and is not discharged well in vitro, and has been proven to cause diseases such as lung cancer, asbestos, malignant mesothelioma and pleural thickening. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has designated asbestos as a group 1 carcinogen. Currently, most of these slats are disposed in a designated landfill, but the landfill capacity is approaching its limit, and there is a potential risk of exposure to the external environment even if it is land-filled. Therefore, this study aimed to exam the possibility of detoxification of asbestos-containing slate by using exothermic reaction and heat treatment. Cement-asbestos slate from the asbestos removal site was used for this experiment. Exothermic catalysts such as calcium chloride(CaCl₂), magnesium chloride(MgCl₂), sodium hydroxide(NaOH), sodium silicate(Na₂SiO₃), kaolin[Al₂Si₂O₅(OH)₄)], and talc[Mg₃Si₄O₁₀(OH)₂] were used. Six catalysts were applied to the cement-asbestos slate, respectively and then analyzed using TG-DTA. Based on the TG-DTA results, the heat treatment temperature for cement-asbestos slate transformation was determined at 750℃. XRD, SEM-EDS and TEM-EDS analyses were performed on the samples after the six catalysts applied to the slate and heat-treated at 750℃ for 2 hours. It was confirmed that chrysotile[Mg₃Si₂O₅(OH₅)] in the cement-asbestos slate was transformed into forsterite (Mg₂SiO₄) by catalysts and heat treatment. In addition, the change in the shape of minerals was observed by applying a physical force to the slate and the heat treated slate after coating catalysts. As a result, the chrysotile in the cement-asbestos slate maintained fibrous form, but the cement-asbestos slate after heat treatment of applying catalyst was broken into non-fibrous form. Therefore, this study shows the possibility to safely verify the complete transformation of asbestos minerals in this catalyst- and temperature-induced process.

• Journal of environmental and Sanitary engineering
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.8-14
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• 2003

Asbestos is composed of long thin fibers approximately diameter $0.02\mu\textrm{m}$ and flexibility, strength, electrical, thermal conditions. The most common asbestos are : Chrysotile(white), Crocidolite(Blue), Amosite(Brown). Asbestos was first introduced in the Korea in 1960 and installation of these products continue through the late 1970's and even the early 1980's. Bu-pyung basement stores in Korea were surveyed from September 25 to October 26, 2001. The purpose of this research was to evaluate worker-exposure to asbestos, comparing to the standards and to research notice of inhabitants about asbestos. Fifteen personal samples and six areas were collected using Gillian Air Sampler. Result of this research were as follows. 1. The most of asbestos exposure concentrations keeps to the criterion(OSHA(Occupational Safety and Health Adminisoation), NIOSH) but forty three percent of the Six samples exceeded the EPA (Environmental protection Agency) of 0.01 fibers/cc. 2. All of places compliced to the standards but there is no "Safe level" of asbestos exposure to the people. Especially people who are expose more frequently over a long time are more at risk.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 1993

The Andong serpentinite body is distributed along the Andong fault, and shows an elliptical shape. The serpentinite is composed of serpentine minerals and other various minerals such as forsterite, pyroxene, talc, tremolite, chlorite, prehnite, calcite and dolomite. The serpentine minerals consist primarily of lizardite with minor chrysotile. Antigorite rarely occurs in some veins. The serpentinite is largely divided into two alteration zones by the occurrence and mineral assemblages. One of the alteration zones is composed of a large amount of serpentine minerals. The other is characterized by tremolite and chlorite. The alteration zone composed of tremolite and chlorite seems to have been formed by hydrothermal alteration after the formation of serpentinite. It is considered that the serpentinite have been formed by alteration of the ultramafic rock such as peridotite.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.8-15
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• 2009

This study was examined to find out asbestos exposure level the factors which affected the level at asbestos abatement sites. We visited a total of thirteen building demolition sites(3 apartments, 3 schools, 4 stores, and 3 houses) were visited to collect samples and related data from August to November, 2006. The results of this study were as follows 1. The results of an analysis of bulk samples to identify types of asbestos at the asbestos abatement sites showed that the kinds of the asbestos detected were chrysotile by 50.0%, were tremolite by 2.6%, and were the contents of chrysotile by 3 to 20%. 2. The geometric mean concentration of asbestos was 0.007 f/cc(range 0.001-0.34 f/cc) and its geometric standard deviation was 5.83. Of the samples, however, 12 exceeded the Korean Occupational Exposure Limit(0.1f/cc). 3. Of the materials, textile material had the highest concentration with geometric mean of 0.016 f/cc. When asbestos-containing materials were removed using T type tools, the geometric mean concentration of asbestos was 0.061 f/cc. The level by this method was much higher than by other removal methods. In analysis by the type of building, the geometric mean concentration of asbestos in stores was 0.042 f/cc and was higher than in other buildings. 4. The Poisson regression analysis was applied to find out the factors that affect the airborne asbestos concentration. As a result of the analysis, removal using a T type tool was the most important factor affecting the asbestos concentration(p<0.01). In conclusion, the airborne asbestos concentration(geometric mean) in asbestos abatement sites was 0.007 f/cc(0.001~0.34 f/cc), and 12(14.6%) of all samples were over the 0.1 f/cc. These results showed that asbestos abatement workers have been exposed to the high level of airborne asbestos because they have not been keeping asbestos removal rule. In accordance with increases of the number of building demolition sites, the better government regulation on asbestos abatement methods should be made and be performed well at building demolition sites.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.110-115
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• 2011

Objectives: The aim of this study is to survey for finding asbestos containing equipment at the laboratories using picture based questionnaire and polarized light microscopic analysis. Methods: This study was conducted from 2009 to 2010 at a university in Seoul. In 2009, picture based questionnaire was distributed to 100 laboratories during the regular laboratory air quality monitoring. In 2010, we emailed all professors of the same university who have laboratories to participate voluntarily this survey. For the laboratories consented to participate survey, picture based questionnaire was distributed and collected. Suspected asbestos containing material and apparatus were collected at the laboratories which replied they have suspected material and equipment. Collected samples were analyzed with polarized light microscope at the laboratory accredited by ministry of employment and labor in Korea. Results: Total of 18 out of 100 laboratories reported that they had suspected asbestos containing equipment in 2009. Twenty-three samples were collected and three samples (13%), one heating mantle and two pairs of insulation gloves, contained asbestos. Thirty four laboratories reported they had suspected asbestos containing material or equipment in 2010. Sixty samples were collected and four of them (6%), two pairs of insulation gloves, one packing rope in dry oven and, one pair of tongs, contained asbestos. All founded asbestos was chrysotile and the content of chrysotile was more than 90% for all equipment except heating mantle which has less than 1%. Conclusions: We confirmed that asbestos was still used at the laboratories though strict regulations on asbestos use in Korea. The method of picture based questionnaire invented in this study could be applied for asbestos survey to other research institute or university where there are many laboratories because of its simplicity and accessibility without huge man power, cost and time.

• Journal of the Korean Recycled Construction Resources Institute
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.223-228
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• 2021

The final disposal method for asbestos building materials is to be landfilled at a designated waste landfill in accordance with the Waste Management Act. However, it is difficult to secure a domestic designated waste landfill site to landfill the entire amount of asbestos waste, which is expected to emit more than 400,000 ton/year by 2044. In this study, a detoxification treatment was performed on a ceiling tex with a density of 1.0 to 1.2g/cm³ containing 3 to 7% of chrysotile, and it was used as a reinforcing fiber for extruded panels. It was confirmed that asbestos components were detoxified through the reaction process using 30% oxalic acid and carbon dioxide, and it was recognized that these detoxifying properties were maintained even after extrusion molding. However, it was found that milling to a fiber size of less than 1mm for complete detoxification of asbestos resulted in a decrease in reinforcing performance. Therefore, in the case of using detoxified asbestos fibers in the extrusion molding process, it is considered desirable to add fibers with a length of 5mm or more to improve the reinforcing performance.