• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.457-473
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• 2023

Asbestos has been produced, imported and used in various industries in Korea over the past decades. Since asbestos causes fatal diseases such as malignant mesothelioma and lung cancer, the use of asbestos has been generally banned in Korea since 2009. However, there are still many asbestos-containing materials around us, and safe management is urgently needed. This study aims to examine asbestos-related trend changes using major asbestos-related keywords based on the asbestos trend analysis using big data for the past 32 years (1991 to 2022) in Korea. In addition, we reviewed both domestic trends related to the production, import, and use of asbestos before 1990 and asbestos-related policies from 2023 to 2027. From 1991 to 2000, main keywords related to asbestos were research, workers, carcinogens, and the environment because the carcinogenicity of asbestos was highlighted due to domestic production, import, and use of asbestos. From 2001 to 2010, the main keywords related to asbestos were lung cancer, litigation, carcinogens, exposure, and companies because lawsuits were initiated in the US and Japan in relation to carcinogenicity due to asbestos. From 2011 to 2020, the high ranking keywords related to asbestos were carcinogen, baseball field, school, slate, building, and abandoned asbestos mine due to the seriousness of the asbestos problem in Korea. From 2021 to present (2023), the main search keywords related to asbestos such as school, slate (asbestos cement), buildings, landscape stone, environmental impact assessment, apartment, and cement appeared.

• 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 Environmental Science International
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.509-516
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• 2010

This study was investigated the characteristics of indoor air concentration of fiber particles in 30 public facilities and 245 schools by PCM (phase contrast microscopy). Also SEM/EDX (scanning electron microscope / energy dispersive using X-ray analysis) was used to obtain physicochemical information of asbestos fiber and to classify asbestos and non-asbestos of fiber particles. The airborne concentrations of fiber particles were $0.0009\pm0.0009$ counts/mL in public facilities and $0.0012\pm0.0006$ counts/mL in schools by PCM. All the samples were satisfied with the IAQ (indoor air quality) level of 0.01 counts/mL. In classification of 4 type shapes, over 80% of the fiber particles were identified as single fiber type. And this study analysed airborne fiber particles in 4 sites for identifying asbestos of by SEM/EDX. The asbestos fibers in most samples could not be found.

• Tribology and Lubricants
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.61-66
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• 1991

The frictional and wear characteristics of non-asbestos friction materials made of four different fibers (carbon, aramid, ceramic and glass) have been investigated at elevated temperature using High Frequency Friction Tester. On the basis of the experimental results, friction and wear phenomena of four different non-asbestos fibers were caused by lattice layer film of carbon, polymeric transfer film of aramid, abrasion of ceramic and adhesion of glass fiber under each contact junction. The surface analysis of the worn specimens and counter parts after tests were observed using Scanning Electron Microscope and Optical Microscope.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.333-341
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• 2015

As results of X-ray diffraction analysis, samples of asbestos and soil were composed maily of dolomite ($CaMg(Co_3)_2$, tremolite ($Ca_2Mg_5Si_{18}O_{22}(OH)_2$), actinolite ($Ca(Mg,\;Fe)_6Si_8O_{22}(OH)_2$), talc ($Mg_3Si_4O_{10}(OH)_2$), calcite ($CaCO_3$) and small amounts of quartz ($SiO_2$) and clay minerals. The average size of asbestos fibers was about $100{\mu}m$ and maximum of some asbestos was $250.0{\mu}m$ in length. The aspect ratio of asbestos fiber were over 3 : 1 and inclined extinction in the range of $8.0-19.5^{\circ}$. Single isolated fragments of asbestos are probably fiber and acicula form in crystal edge along the cleavage plane. Tremolite that composed main asbestos mineral in rock and soil around Dong-a mine is higher content of Fe than actinolite asbestos.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.492-500
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• 2014

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to estimate the applicability of regional sample collection of environmental samples. The concentration of asbestos fibers were analyzed with two devices. One was an existing commercial air sampling pump that has been proved to be accurate and exact, and the other is a remodeled pump for sample collection which was made from an electric bubble generator originally designed for aquarium fish. Samples were collected with the two devices under the same environmental conditions and collection equipment. A comparative analysis of the concentration of ambient asbestos fiber was then performed. Methods: Based on previous research, six farmhouses with asbestos fiber slate roofs known to have high concentrations of asbestos fiber were selected. Using the existing commercial air sampling pump and the remodeled electric bubble generator, four to seven samples were collected each day one meter downwind from the edge of the slate roof at high volume (about 4 L/min) and low volume (about 1.4 L/min). The analyzer responsible for sample quality control of asbestos fibers counted the number of asbestos fibers with a phase microscope. Results: The rates of flow change of the existed sampler and the remodeled pump at high volume were 0.82% and 0.17%, respectively. The rates of flow change at low volume were 3.83% and 1.09%, but there was not significant difference. The rates of flow change are within the error range (${\pm}5%$) of OSHA analyzing methods. For the high volume sampler, the average asbestos fiber concentration in the air collected by the existed sampler is 6.270 fibers/L and for the remodeled one 5.527 fibers/L, not a significant difference. For the low volume sampler, the average asbestos fiber concentration in the air collected by the existed sampler is 7.755 fibers/L and for the remodeled one 7.706 fibers/L, not a significant difference. The total area of the slate roof of the targeted farmhouse has an effect on the concentration of asbestos fibers in the air from the existing pump and the remodeled one (p<0.01). Conclusions: The sampling function between the existing commercial pump and the remodeled one shows little difference. Therefore, the remodeled pump is considered a pump with a good availability for collecting ambient air asbestos samples.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.205-212
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• 2020

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to identify the needs and improvement measures of the risk assessment system through a survey of asbestos abatement companies. Methods: This study prepared a questionnaire that includes improvement measures for the risk assessment system(six questions) and the necessity of a risk assessment system for asbestos abatement(one question). The questionnaire was sent to 2,170 asbestos abatement companies and returned by 83 companies(return rate = 3.8%). We conducted frequency analysis, ANOVA, and Chi-squared testing at the 5% significance level. Results: This study analyzed the survey results and identified six main opinions on the risk assessment system and improvement measures. First, giving an advantage to companies with a high grade(S and A grades) in public bidding and/or qualification screening showed a similar preference(agree: 50.6%, disagree: 49.4%). Second, 57.6% of the respondents wanted to allow air showers along with water showers for low risk asbestos work. However, 23.2% of the respondents asserted that only a water shower should be allowed since there is no scientific evidence supporting the removal of asbestos by air shower. Third, in order to prevent missing the enrollment of workers, simply submitting a change report should be allowed when any worker is changed (40.0%). Fourth, 43% of the respondents answered that they did not know how to calculate the proper number of negative pressure units. The reasons given were a lack of guidelines or standards(38.9%), inconvenience (36.1%), and absence of education(25%). Fifth, the respondents who were favorable toward the necessity of a risk assessment system gave higher scores compared to unfavorable respondents on the necessity of the management of workers' work history(favorable respondent = 3.96 out of 5, unfavorable respondent = 2.68) and the necessity of professional training for workers(favorable respondent = 3.71, unfavorable respondent = 2.56). Finally, the respondents favorable toward a risk assessment system showed higher scores on the awareness of calculating the proper number of negative pressure units(4.79) compared to unfavorable respondents(3.3). Conclusions: The opinions of asbestos abatement companies identified through the survey in this study can be usefully utilized as fundamental information to improve the risk assessment system.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.501-508
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• 2014

Objectives: This study identified the general characteristics of asbestos inspection/analysis laboratories in Korea and confirmed the actual situations in terms of technical aspects from these characteristics. In addition, given the background of the current problem, it offers preliminary data for determining future plans for improvement. Methods: A questionnaire was developed and distributed to the asbestos inspection/analysis laboratories that used the ISO/IEC 17025 for asbestos sampling and testing by UKAS(United Kingdom Accreditation Service) and the Korea Laboratory Accreditation Scheme(KOLAS). A total of 202 institutions in Korea were selected for the study and 145(71.8%) questionnaires were returned. Results: The number of personnel of the surveyed institutions averaged $4.2{\pm}2$ and 79.3% operated with less than five persons. In terms of education, the capital and other densely populated areas showed a high level of education(p<0.05). The level of education and facilities were determined by the magnitude of the institution(p<0.05). Institutions managed by highly educated directors were well-stocked with education and facilities(p<0.05). Institutions which had directors with considerable experiences received high scores overall and in particular higher scores in terms of education and facilities(p<0.05). At the level of the bottom five percent, the factor of education was 40.4% while the factor of measurement 49%, the factor of analysis 59%, the factor of facilities 61%, and the factor of survey 81%, respectively. Conclusions: To improve the quality of the institutions, in the short term, the problems identified in this study can be used to revise the related regulations. In the long term, a grading system of survey institutions needs to be established through the introduction of an accreditation system. However, the ongoing support of a government agency is required, including holding seminars and open education, suggesting guidelines for operation of asbestos inspection/analysis labs, and other means.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.82-88
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• 2015

Objectives: This study is designed to analyze the penetration performance into ceiling materials containing asbestos of scattering prevention agents and investigate the change in penetration depth and viscosity according to the dilution rate of anti-scattering agents diluted with distilled water. Methods: Five different types of scattering prevention agents were spread on plate-type asbestos ceiling materials. The penetration depth of each coated ceiling material was measured by energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) analysis, based on X-ray fluorescence (XRF) results of the non-coated ceiling materials. Test equipment installed the ceiling materials and 60 minutes were collected at a flow rate of $10{\ell}/min$ at a filter of 25 mm. Results: An EDS analysis of the cross-section of ceiling materials constructed with a scattering prevention agent revealed that potassium is detected in the process of penetrating hardener solidification and this element could be an indicator for infiltration. When anti-scattering agents with different viscosities were constructed and the penetration depth was analyzed by potassium detection assessment using EDS, the depth results with viscosities of 5.0, 2.5, and 1.9 cP were 98.5, 103, and $147{\mu}m$, respectively. Penetration performance improved with decrease in viscosity. Conclusions: For asbestos ceiling materials, it is concluded that a higher dilution rate of the scattering prevention agent leads to lower viscosity, and hence a deeper penetration depth from $156{\mu}m$ to 3 mm. The asbestos anti-scattering properties according to the penetration depth will be confirmed through further study.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.165-171
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• 2015

Dust samples collected from air in metropolitan areas of Busan and Ulsan were analyzed by phase contrast microscopy, phase contrast dispersion microscopy and SEM. Asbestos concentration in dust samples was lower than detection limit. Many fibrous materials were observed in dust samples, but most of them were organic fibers. Inorganic fibers such as rock fiber, ceramic fiber and gypsum were contained in the samples and non-fibrous minerals such as quartz, calcite and feldspar were also occasionally observed. Domestic law requires that asbestos in air dust is mainly analyzed by phase contrast microscopy. From this study, however, precise analysis of asbestos was almost impossible by this method only. As indicated in JIS method of Japan, therefore, count and identification of asbestos were more efficient by dispersion staining method after removing organic materials in samples by low temperature incinerator.