Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene (한국산업보건학회지)
- Volume 8 Issue 2
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- Pages.254-263
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- 1998
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- 2384-132X(pISSN)
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- 2289-0564(eISSN)
A Study on Several Minerals Contaminated with Asbestiform Fibers in Korea
우리나라 일부 광물중 석면섬유의 함유에 대한 조사
- Choi, Jung Keun (Industrial Health Research Institute, KISCO) ;
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Paek, Do Myung
(School of Public Health, Seoul National University) ;
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Paik, Nam Won
(School of Public Health, Seoul National University) ;
- Hisanaga, Naomi (National Institute of Industrial Health, Ministry of Labor) ;
- Sakai, Kiyoshi (Nagoya City Health Research Institute)
- Published : 1998.11.13
Abstract
A worker employed in a serpentine mine was found developed mesothelioma as the first case of Korea in 1997. Asbestos was known as a causative agent for mesothelioma. Thus, asbestos contamination in mines could be a big health threat to those workers who were unknowingly exposed. However, there was no report that any minerals found in Korea contained asbestos. This study was carried out to find the presence of any asbestiform fibers in minerals which could be obtained in Korean mines. We examined fifteen minerals from 44 mines which were suspected contaminated with asbestiform fibers. Asbestiform analysis was done with high resolution transmission electron microscope(TEM), with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscope(EDX) and X-ray diffraction(XRD) analyses. Among asbestiform fibers, chrysotile was found in chrysotile, serpentine, talc and pyrophylite specimens from 11 mines. Tremolite was found in tremolite and talc specimens from three mines. Mordenite was found in zeolite specimens from two mines. Wallastonite and sepiolite were found in wallastonite and sepiolite specimens respectively. Crocidolite, antigorite and actinolite were found from talc specimens. But no asbestiform fiber contaminants were found in doromite, vermiculite, limestone, marble, gypsum, kaolin, and clary specimens. Thus, these asbestiform fibers such as such as chrysotile, tremolite, mordenite, crocidolite, antigorite and actinolite could be the responsible agents for the health hazards such as mesothelioma and other cancers.