• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
• /
• v.38 no.9
• /
• pp.528-533
• /
• 2016

One of ways for effectively maintaining asbestos buildings is to select asbestos buildings to be removed firstly by manufacturing and analyzing asbestos map of various topics. Thus, in this study we manufactured asbestos map of various topics for the effective management of asbestos buildings owned by Seoul using QGIS (Quantum Geographic Information System). To select asbestos buildings likely to cause asbestos scattering problem and exposure into the air, we comprehensively took into consideration various topics such as asbestos buildings density, asbestos-area ratio, asbestos buildings distribution considering the population, first removal object, risk assessment, elapsed year. As described in this study, using the GIS may be utilized as a method for selecting asbestos buildings to be removed firstly as well as distribution of asbestos buildings. In the future, it is necessary to make assessment criteria considering diversification of property value in GIS such as the characteristics of the living environment around the asbestos buildings. This is expected to be utilized to manage the vulnerable region to asbestos exposure.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
• /
• v.16 no.7
• /
• pp.5029-5037
• /
• 2015

The objective of this study is to investigate the distribution of asbestos containing materials and to evaluate risk assessment method in some schools, Korea. For the survey on ACM risk assessment, we used both EPA AHERA rule and ASTM rule. We investigated 100 schools between January and December in 2010. Detection rate of the ACM according to construction year showed that before 1980's, 1990's, 2000's, after 2000's buildings were 100%, 94.1%, 100% and 62.5%, respectively. Compared with school types, detection rate of the ACM in Kindergarten, Elementary, Middle, High, Special Education schools were 100%, 97.1%, 92.9%, 100%, 80%, respectively. Ceiling textiles contained chrysolite/mixed amosite(2~8 %) and wall cement flat boards contained chrysolite(6~11 %). Also, gasket contained chrysolite(16~17 %), slate roof contained chrysolite(10~13 %). In this study, risk assessment EPA AHERA rule of ACM showed that all materials were "Pool" grade. And, ASTM rule risk assessment showed that all materials were "Q&M program" grade.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.43 no.4
• /
• pp.273-279
• /
• 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 Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
• /
• v.24 no.2
• /
• pp.122-129
• /
• 2014

Objectives: Because of its properties such as resistance to heat, chemicals and corrosion; tensile strength; sound absorption; and affordable price, asbestos has been widely used as a building material, fire resistant and retardant, thermal and heat insulator, soundproofing material, and electrical insulation. Since the prolonged inhalation of asbestos can cause serious illnesses such as lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis after an incubation period of 20 to 40 years, the mineral was classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, an intergovernmental agency forming part of the World Health Organization. Children and infants are more at risk than are adults if they are exposed to carcinogens, due to aweaker immunity that has not yet been fully developed. Most childcare centers are operated all day and children tend to spend a great amount of time in the centers. This is why it is important for them to be systematically isolated from environments that may expose them to asbestos. Materials: In order to understand both indoor and outdoor hazards to which children may have been exposed, the study focused on actual surveys of asbestos used in childcare centers, paying special attention to slate-roofed buildings in the vicinity of the centers. Results: A survey of a total of 211 childcare centers showed that the buildings of 18.1% of the centers contained asbestos, with 60.53% of the material being found in classroom ceilings. "Tex" was the most used material for ceilings, making up 89.47% of all ceilings. An outdoor survey showed that childcare centers in Daegu Metropolitan City had an average of 143 slate-roof buildings within a distance of 1km. Conclusions: Buildings housing mainly toddlers, children, teenagers and others more vulnerable to the toxicity of asbestos are not subject to asbestos investigation by law. A legal and practical basis for asbestos control is required for such buildings. In particular, housing materials which contain asbestos in day care centers require asbestos control. GIS should be used to identify the location of buildings with slate roofing materials in the vicinity of daycare centers in order to gauge toxicity of exposure to asbestos caused by potential asbestos friability possibility in outdoor conditions.

• Journal of the Korean Professional Engineers Association
• /
• v.37 no.6
• /
• pp.37-40
• /
• 2004

This year's main theme of Japan-Korea Joint Symposium of Professional Engineering is 'Conservation of the earth environment and risk management' As a keynote speaker. I a going to discuss the strategies to make appropriate future environment of our countries. In particular, following items are discussed in the speech. 1. The Desert greening with peat at Uighur area 2. Anoter viewpoint of the environmental problem 3. Review of the Earth Warming 4. Review of the environment of the Earth 5. Corresponding of Emission Trading scheme of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere 6. Un-precious present from continent to Japan 7. Corresponding of asbestos damage 8. Risk assessment and Risk management

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

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.32 no.2 s.89
• /
• pp.140-148
• /
• 2006

Recently, indoor air quality (IAQ) in workplace, residential environments and schools has been concerned of people, scientists and related the public, and has recognized the health effects related to indoor air pollution. Therefore, this study was performed to investigate the characteristics of IAQ in 55 kindergartens, elementary school, middle schools, and high schools from June, 2004 to May, 2005 in Korea. We measured indoor air pollutants($PM_{10},\;CO_2$, HCHO, total bacteria colony(TBC), CO, radon, TVOCs, asbestos, and $O_3$), and physical factors(noise, temperature, relative humidity, and illumination) with necessary of management for IAQ in school. We classified into 5 kinds of the school by period since building completion, <1 year, 1-3 years, 3-5 years, and 5-10 years. The concentration of pollutants and the level of physical factors compared with standards and guidelines of IAQ on the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Health and Welfare, and the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development. The major results obtained from this study were as follows. Temperature, relative humidity and illumination among the physical factors did not exceed the standards, but noise exceeded it. Asbestos and $O_3$ did not detect in surveyed classrooms. CO, TBC, TVOCs, and HCHO in kindergartens, TBC in elementary schools, TBC, TVOCs dnd HCHO in middle schools, and HCHO in high schools detected the standards. This study is conducted as a part of efforts to provide a foundational data for further relative researches on management of IAQ of school. Therefore, we suggest that country plan for management of IAQ in school should be established through long-term and continuous investigation for assessment on IAQ in school and health risk assessment for students.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
• /
• v.16 no.1
• /
• pp.54-67
• /
• 2006

This study was performed to deduct the extension possibility of the standards establishment for $NO_2$, $O_3$, Asbestos, Radon, total volatile organic compounds (TVOC) excluded in the indoor air part of Industrial Safety Acts in Korea. The air pollutants were sampled for 30 office buildings from August to September, 2005 in the metropolitan area. The airborne concentrations of $NO_2$, $O_3$, Radon and TVOC were 0.0092 ppm, 0.0035 ppm, 0.57 pCi/L and $423{\mu}g/m^3$, respectively. The management plan and reduction methods is required in the aspect of indoor air quality(IAQ) because the emission sources of those also exist in indoor as well as outdoor even though those were not exceeded the standards of the Ministry of Environment in Korea. The standard for TVOC in the new and remodeling office has to be established based on the risk assessment when hazard index exceeded "1" in the worst case scenario. In the state of art, the management of each volatile organic compounds has a difficulty due to not enough data for toxicological reference. Therefore, it is suggested that first of all, the standard for TVOC be established and then expanded to each materials for decision-making of improvement of IAQ in office.

• The Korean Society of Law and Medicine
• /
• v.12 no.1
• /
• pp.133-173
• /
• 2011

Since mid-1960s the reports from the Surgeon General, the World Health Organization, and other health experts state that there is no risk-free level exposure to smoking and secondhand smoke. Tobacco smoke is made up of more than 7,000 chemicals. Hundreds are toxic, and at least 70 are carcinogens. The chemicals in tobacco smoke reach smoker's lungs quickly every time smoker inhale causing damages immediately. Inhaling even the smallest amount of tobacco smoke can also damage smoker's DNA, which can lead to cancers. Smoking is responsible for more than 87% of lung cancers, but there are a host of other chronic diseases directly related to exposure to tobacco smoke. It's also a major cause of heart disease, stroke, aortic aneurysm, peripheral arterial disease and most of the other diseases. In the United States, each year with more than from 440,000 to 520,000 deaths caused by smoking and exposure to involuntary smoke. They conclude that smoking is the single most important source of preventable morbidity and mortality. The United States of America have about 60-year history of tobacco litigation. Tobacco litigation has been an important tool in tobacco control strategies aimed at limiting the activities of tobacco companies and providing redress to people who have become ill as a result of their use of tobacco products. Tobacco litigation is a kind of tort litigation. Quite often, as in the asbestos and other mass tort litigation episodes, tobacco litigation can play an educational role, warning the public about the magnitude of health risks that might otherwise be less clearly perceived. Tobacco litigation allows smokers, their families or other victims of smoking to sue tobacco companies in order to be compensated for the harm they have suffered. Potential benefits of tobacco litigation include compensation for smoking-related damages, strengthening regulatory activity, publicity, documents disclosure and changing tobacco industry behavior. And also tobacco litigation can limit the political activities of tobacco industry, protect human rights of smokers and non-smokers, increase burden to tobacco price-up and enhance the effects of law and politics in public health.