• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.18-27
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• 2020

Objectives: For testing asbestos stabilizer products which are used for the maintenance and management of asbestos-containing materials, durability assessment should accompany the evaluation of basic properties and performance. Therefore, in this study we designed a testing method and constructed a database of durability performance, thereby providing basic data for reliability studies of asbestos stabilizer. Methods: Since the ceiling materials targeted in this study are interior materials, test conditions of 95% relative humidity and 60℃ temperature were designed in consideration of the effect of high relative humidity in summer and seasonal indoor temperatures. Plate-shaped specimens treated with asbestos stabilizers were maintained in a thermo-hygrostat for 5, 10, and 20 days, and then the asbestos scattering prevention rate was measured by air erosion testing. Results: The scattering concentration tended to increase with time under the single humidity condition, and exceeded the indoor air quality standard of 0.01 f/cc, during the 20 days of maintenance. On the other hand, there was little change according to the temperature condition. In the case of a complex condition with temperature and humidity, the results were similar to the humidity test, but the scattering concentration increased more sharply at 20 days. Conclusions: The main deterioration factor that affects the durability of asbestos stabilizer is humidity, and the deterioration is caused by a mechanism in which the stabilizer coated on the surface is re-dissolved by moisture and evaporates or the coating layer is peeled off, which is accelerated by high temperatures.

• Environmental and Resource Economics Review
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.287-317
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• 2017

Asbestos has been actively used for various places. Since it was designated as the first grade carcinogen in the 1970s, strict regulations on using asbestos has been implemented globally. Considering long-term latent periods between asbestos exposure and environmental diseases, we analyze the time lag between asbestos consumption and the incidence of mesothelioma in Korea and estimate the long-run relationship. In addition, we conduct a comparative analysis on the effectiveness of asbestos regulations in the United Kingdom and the United States, which have accumulated long-term time-series observations. The latent period analysis indicates that the consumption of asbestos and the incidence of the disease are highly correlated in all three countries, being long-term lags of more than 30 years. Also, we find a long-run equilibrium relationship between asbestos consumption and the incidence of mesothelioma in the presence of long-term lags between the variables in all three countries. Furthermore, using a distributed lag model, asbestos consumption has statistically significant positive effects on mesothelioma with a long-term lag.

• Journal of the Korean Recycled Construction Resources Institute
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.161-166
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• 2020

In accordance with the amendment of the Industrial Safety and Health Act of 2007, Korea completely prohibited the import, distribution and manufacture of asbestos like Europe and Japan. Accordingly, the current problem of asbestos is the safe maintenance and disposal of asbestos construction material, the disposal of asbestos, and the final disposal of asbestos building materials. If the asbestos building material is made harmless, it may be classified as general waste or as recyclable waste. Therefore, this study evaluated the physical and chemical characterization of detoxified asbestos powder and the applicability of secondary products. In this study, it was found that applying the appropriate temperature and pressure for catalysis during asbestos desalination through low temperature chemical treatment was the most important factor.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.139-146
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• 2016

Objectives: This study aimed to confirm the optimal processing conditions of the asbestos stabilizer by considering various actual environments at the time of stabilization treatment of the ceiling materials containing asbestos with asbestos stabilizer. Methods: The anti-scattering performances of the asbestos stabilizer were confirmed by considering the method and quantity of the asbestos stabilizer treated, comparing the loss weight by measuring the weight of ceiling materials prior to and after having treated 30, 50, 100, 200, and 400 of stabilizer using the brush and spray. The effects of backside dust and steel frame structure on the performances of the stabilizer was also confirmed by comparing samples with and without the dust on the rear surface removed by wiping the ceiling material specimens and the blinding treatment simulated by using tape. Results: The asbestos stabilization treatment using the brush method in comparison with the use of a spray has reduced stabilizer loss, resulting in better anti-scattering performance. In addition, the stabilizer loss is increased with increasing treatment quantity; as a result, treating a larger quantity of stabilizer does not improve the performance. For the conditions related to ceiling materials, the anti-scattering performance is enhanced by removing the backside dust and spreading the stabilizer evenly on the masking portion by steel frame structures. Conclusions: Based on these results, it is determined that the appropriate choice of the tool used for the treatment of the asbestos stabilizer and the appropriate quantity of asbestos stabilizer were needed at the time of actual stabilization processing of the ceiling materials containing asbestos. Moreover, this study confirmed that preliminary processing and verification of the structure at which the ceiling materials are installed can enhance the effectiveness of prevention of the scattering of asbestos into the air.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.184-193
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• 2015

Objectives: This study focused on three aspects: characterizing concentrations of airborne particles by size distributions and asbestos fibers generated by various building materials; analyzing the characteristics of fibers produced by each simulation and asbestos fibers released from ACBMs; and investigating correlations of airborne asbestos fibers and particles generated and association of particle and asbestos concentrations. Methods: We selected three ACBMs including an insulation board, cement asbestos slate and wallboard. We constructed 4 scenarios; a) crushing with a hammer; b) cutting with a industrial knife; c) brushing with a metal brush; and d) tightening & loosening with a hand drill. We implemented one simulation for 30 seconds followed by 30 seconds resting period. We repeated a total of 5 cycles for 5 minutes. Results: The highest concentration of particulate & fibrous matters was from crushing with a hammer in each scenario followed by brushing with a metal brush, cutting with a industrial knife, and tightening & loosening with a hand drill. For ACBMs studied, asbestos concentrations were highest from an insulation board followed by cement asbestos slate, and wallboard. No difference in terms of concentration was found between an insulation board and asbestos slate. Fibers with $5{\sim}20{\mu}m$ in length were included in 76~90% of total fibrous matters. The distribution of the straight form fibers was greater than that of the curl form. About 90% of $PM_{Total}$ released from ACBMs was consisted of $PM_{10}$ while only 10% of $PM_{Total}$ was $PM_{2.5}$. Particulate matters like $PM_{2.5}$ was significantly correlated with fibrous matters($R^2=0.81$). Conclusions: We found ACBMs can significantly release asbestos fibers as well as $PM_{2.5}$. Concentrations of asbestos generated by ACBMs were well correlated with $PM_{2.5}$.

• 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.

• Korean Journal of Mineralogy and Petrology
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.233-257
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• 2023

Asbestos minerals are found at rocks and soils of the Hongseong and Bibong serpentine mines, western part of Chungnam. The area consists of and metasediment, and Mesozoic igneous intrusives with minor age-known gneiss complexes and Mesozoic sediments. With detailed geological investigations, rock samples for the serpentinite and amphibolite areas are collected at sites containing asbestos. Representative asbestos and rock samples are analysed by PLM, XRD, SEM and EPMA. Serpentinites are found as steeply dipping faults with adjacent gneiss complex to the NNE direction. Repeated alteration, including serpenitization and talcification, is found at the emplacement direction for the serpentinite body. Amphibollites occur as intrusives and stratiforms within the Precambrian gneiss complex. Serpentinite and amphibolite (or amphibole schist) contain amphiboles either as asbestiform or non-asbestiform. Varying amounts of asbestos minerals, including chrysotile, tremolite asbestos and actinolite asbestos, are found within the serpentinites. The asbestos minerals are found near the cracks or fractures and along the bedding plane. They occur as cross fiber, slip fiber and mass fiber types. Varying amounts of amphibole asbestos minerals, such as tremolite and actinolite asbestos, are found within amphibolites and as a mass fiber type. Overall results suggest that rocks of the serpentine mines contain serpentine and amphibole type asbestos minerals originated from the hydrothermal alteration. Considering construction nearby the mines and environmental risks by the asbestos, additional land management plans are required.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.103-106
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• 2010

We develop a theoretical framework for international cooperation that can be used for the elimination of asbestos-related diseases(ARDs). The framework is based on the similarities in the temporal patterns of asbestos use and occurrence of ARDs in diverse countries. The status of each nation can be characterized by observing asbestos use and ARD frequency therein using a time window. Countries that supply technology for prevention of ARDs can be classified as donors and countries that receive these technologies as recipients. We suggest identification of three levels of core preventative technologies. Development of a common platform to gather and manage core preventative technologies will combine the strengths of donor countries and the needs of recipient countries.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.72-81
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• 2015

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the exposure and risk assessment of residents near asbestos mines in Korea. Methods: To assess asbestos types and airborne concentrations, air monitoring was performed in the neighborhoods of Kwangcheon (KC) and Sinsuk (SS) mines, which were leading South Korean mines in the past. In addition, activity-based-sampling (ABS) of residents' particular activities were conducted in order to estimate the Excess Lifetime Cancer Risks (ELCRs) for the residents. Conclusions: The average concentration of airborne asbestos in KC was 0.0014 f/cc and 0.0015 f/cc by PCM and TEM, respectively. In SS it was equal at 0.0012 f/cc by PCM and TEM. No statistically significant difference was found in the average concentration of airborne asbestos between the two mines. The average asbestos concentration of ABS was 0.0048 f/cc (PCM) and 0.0042 f/cc (TEM) in KC, while it was 0.0137 f/cc (PCM) and 0.0125 f/cc (TEM) in SS. It was found that the average asbestos concentration of ABS in SS was statistically significantly higher than that of KC (p<0.01). The results of ELCRs by scenario in KC showed that the scenarios of bicycle, car, weed control, weed whacking, child playing in the dirt, and physical training fell within $1{\times}0^{-6}-1{\times}10^{-4}$, which is the acceptable range of ELCR. The scenarios of motorcycle, walker, digging, and field sweeping, however, exceeded the acceptable range. In SS, only the scenario of car fell within the acceptable range, while all of the other scenarios exceeded the acceptable range.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.66-72
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• 2012

Objectives: The AHERA method by the US EPA, ASTM E2356-04, and HSG264 by the UK HSE, all of which are hazard/risk assessment methods for asbestos-containing building materials, were reviewed and compared based on 231 homogeneous areas. In addition, the current Act on Asbestos Safety Management (enforcement: April 29, 2012) was reviewed and analyzed. This trial provided fundamental data for improving the current asbestos hazard/risk assessment method. Methods: For the hazard/risk assessment of 77 asbestos-containing public buildings including schools, 231 homogeneous areas were selected, each of which was assessed using AHERA, ASTM E2356-04, and HSG264. Results: The matching rate of the hazard/risk assessment stood at 20.4 percent between AHERA and ASTM, at 71.4 percent between AHERA and HSG264 and at 17.8 percent between ASTM and HSG264. The AHERA method includes a seven-category rating scale. There were three categories, two of which have three subcategories. ASTM provides two decision-making charts consisting of ten rating scales for current condition estimation and for potential for disturbance estimation. In addition, the HSG264 method has a total of 20 scores with four items, and then provides four grades. This HSG264 method cannot clearly separate current condition and potential for disturbance. Conclusions: In the Korean Act on Asbestos Safety Management, the hazard/risk assessment method for asbestos-containing building materials should consider balance between current condition estimation and the potential for disturbance estimation.