Journal of Environmental Health Sciences (한국환경보건학회지)

Korean Society of Environmental Health (한국환경보건학회)
권호 표지
DOI QR코드

DOI QR Code

Health Effects of Environmental Asbestos Exposure

환경성 석면노출의 건강영향

  • Kang, Dong-Mug (Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Department of Occupational & Environmental Medicine Pusan National University, Research Center for Asbestos Related Diseases)
  • 강동묵 (양산부산대학교 산업의학과, 부산대학교 석면중피종연구센터)
  • Published : 2009.04.30
Download PDF
⟨ Previous Next ⟩

Abstract

In Korea, asbestos related diseases (ARDs) associated with occupational and environmental asbestos exposures have been reported, and commercial products contaminated with asbestos have gathered huge public attentions recently. Review of previous studies was conducted. Whereas asbestos consumptions among developed countries have decreased, those of Asian countries have increased, which showed typical international transfer of hazardous industries. In Korea residents around former asbestos mines had ARDs, which were reported in many countries such as South Africa, Canada and Australia. ARDs among residents around asbestos factories were found in many countries such as United Kingdom, United States and Italia, and increased relative risks were reported among residents around asbestos textile factories in Korea. Increased air asbestos concentrations by environmental asbestos leakages from factories were correlated with higher malignant mesothelioma incidence rates. When air dispersion model applied, excess incidence rate as far as 2.5 km from a factory were observed. As mesothelioma incidence rate, a representative index of ARD, in Korea has not reported systemically, mandatory reporting system by health personnel who diagnose the disease needs to be introduced. It is hard to conclude that commercials with contaminated asbestos do not have adverse health effects, and further studies are needed to solve these public questions.

Keywords

References

  1. Park, J. I., Yoon, C. S. and Paik, N. W. : A study on exposure among asbestos textile workers and estimation of their historical exposures. Korean Industrial Hyegine Association Journal, 5(1), 16-39, 1995
  2. Virta, R. L. : Worldwide asbestos supply and consumption trends from 1900 through 2003. U.S. Department of the interior, U.S. Geological survey, Circular 1298, 2006
  3. Choi, J. K., Paek, D. M. and Paik, N. W. : The production, the use, the number of workers and exposure level of asbestos in Korea. Korean Industrial Hyegine Association Journal, 8(2), 242-253, 1998
  4. Ki, Y. H., Kim, J. M., Roh, Y. M., Chung, L., Kim, Y. S. and Sim, S. H. : A survey for some asbestos containing products in Korea. Korean Journal of Environmental Health, 8(2), 242-253, 1998
  5. Doll, R. : Mortality from lung cancer in asbestos workers. Occupational and Environment Medicine, 12, 81-86, 1995 https://doi.org/10.1136/oem.12.2.81
  6. Wangner, J. c., Sleggs, C. A. and Marchand, P. :Diffuse pleural mesothelioma and asbestos exposure in the North Western cape province. Occupational and Environment Medicine, 17, 260-271, 1960 https://doi.org/10.1136/oem.17.4.260
  7. Park, M. I., Choi, J. S., Choi, H. M., Jang, T. I., Moon, I. H., Kim, J. H., Jang, T. W., Lee, D. H., Jung, M. H. and Kang, S. K. : A case of diffuse malignant pleural mesothelioma with occupational asbestos exposure. Korean Internal Medicine Association Journal, 48(4), 526-530, 1995
  8. Kang, D. M., Kim, J. W., Son, B. c., Kim, J. I., Woo, J. C. and Lee, J. T. : A case of malignant pleural mesothelioma combined with asbestosis in a boilermaker and plumber. The Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 10(4), 610-617, 1998
  9. Ye, B. 1., Kim, J. I., Lee, H. J., Kim, K. N., Lee, K. N., Jung, K. Y., Kim, J. Y. and Yun, S. H. : The prevalence of asbestos exposure-induced pleural thickening on chest radiograph in repairing shipyard workers. The Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 20(1), 9-14, 2008
  10. Paek, D. M., Choi, J. K., Paik, N. W., Hisanaga, N. and Sakai, K. : A study on several minerals contaminated with asbestiform fibers in Korea. Korean Industrial Hyegine Association Journal, 8(2), 254-263, 1998
  11. Furuya, S. : Time bomb in Asia - Asbestos. International Symposium on removal and transfer of asbestos in asia. Ban Asbestos Network Korea, Seoul, 519-523,2008
  12. Wang, X. : Country report (China). International Symposium on removal and transfer of asbestos in asia. Ban Asbestos Network Korea, Seoul, 476-482, 2008
  13. Mehrdad, R. : Country report (Iran). International Symposium on removal and transfer of asbestos in asia. Ban Asbestos Network Korea, Seoul, 445-460, 2008
  14. Choi, Y. : Export for asbestos industry - Asian case report. International Symposium on removal and transfer of asbestos in asia. Ban Asbestos Network Korea, Seoul, 541-551, 2008
  15. Takahashi, K. : Asbestos-related diseases: time for technology sharing. Occupational Medicine, 58, 384-385, 2008 https://doi.org/10.1093/occmed/kqn086
  16. Zazen ski, R., Ashton, W. H., Briggs, D., Chudkowsk, M., Kelse, J. W., MacEachern, L., McCarthy, E. F., Nordhauser, M. A., Roddy, M. T., Teetsel, N. M., Wells, A. B. and Gettings, S. D. Talc: Occurrence, characterization, and consumer applications. Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology, 21, 218-229, 1995 https://doi.org/10.1006/rtph.1995.1032
  17. Guidelines for the prevention of health hazards from dust in asbestos manufacturing plants, 1940
  18. NIOSH : report to congress on workers' home contamination study conducted under the workers' family protection act (29 U.S.C. 671a). National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 1995
  19. WHO: International Program for Chemical Safety. Asbestos and other natural mineral fibres, (Environmental Health Criteria No. 53), Geneva, 1996
  20. Chiappino, G., Sebastien, P. and Todaro, A. :L'inquinamento atmosferico da amianto nell'ambiente urbano. Medicina del Lavoro, 82, 424-438, 1991
  21. INSERM : Institut National de la Santeet la Recherche Medicale. Effets sur la Sante des principaux Typesd's Exposition a I' Amiante. Paris, 1997
  22. Camus, M., Siemiatycki, J. and Meek, B. : Nonoccupational exposure to chrysotile asbestos and the risk of lung cancer. New England Journal of Medicine, 338, 1565-1571, 1998 https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJM199805283382201
  23. Bignon, J., Peto, J. and Saracci, R. : Non-occupational exposure to mineral fibers. International Agency for Research on Cancer, 3-29, 1989
  24. Marfels, H., Spurny, K., Boose, C., Schoermann, J., Opiela, H., Althaus, W. and Weiss, G. : Measurements of fibrous dusts in ambient air of the Federal Republic of Germany. I. Measurements in the vicinity of an industrial source. Staub-Reinhalt.Luft, 44, 259-263, 1984
  25. Marfels, R., Spurny, K., Boose, C., Schoermann, J., Opiela, H., Althaus, W. and Weiss, G. : Measurements of fibrous dusts in ambient air of Federal Republic of Germany. II. Measurements on a busy crossing of a large town. Staub-einhalt.Luft, 44, 410-414, 1984
  26. Burdett, G. J. and Jaffrey, S. A. : Airborne asbestos concentrations III buildings. Annals Occupational Hygiene, 30, 185-199, 1986 https://doi.org/10.1093/annhyg/30.2.185
  27. Altree-Williams, S. and Preston, J. S. : Asbestos and other fiber levels in buildings. Annals Occupational Hygiene, 29, 357-363, 1985 https://doi.org/10.1093/annhyg/29.3.357
  28. Pinchin, D. J. : Asbestos in buildings (Study No8). Ontario Ministry of Government Services, 1982
  29. Becklake, M. R. : Asbestos related disease of the lung and other organs : Their epidemiology and implications for clinical practice. The American review of respiratory disease, 114-187, 1976
  30. Rugo, H. S. and Fischman, M. L. : Occupational cancer. In Ladou J. Occupational and environmental medicine. Stamford, Connecticut. Appleton and Lange, 254-257, 1997
  31. Furuya, S. : Country report (Japan). International Symposium on removal and transfer of asbestos in asia. Ban Asbestos Network Korea, Seoul, 487-506, 2008
  32. WHO. Elimination of asbestos-related disease WHO/SDE/OEHl06.3 available at http://hwqlibdoc.who.int/hq/2006/wHO_OEM_06.0._eng.pdf
  33. Ahn, Y. : Future asbestos related occupational diseases incidence by investigation of pleural thickening among asbestos workers. Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency, 2006
  34. 2008 Statistics of Occupational Injury and Illness, available at http://oshri.kosha.or.kr/information/info_total/info_total
  35. Newhouse, M. L. and Thompson, H. : Mesothelioma of pleura and peritoneum following exposure to asbestos in the London are, British Journal Industrial Medicine, 22, 261, 1965 https://doi.org/10.1136/oem.22.4.261
  36. Magnani, c., Terracini, B. and Ivaldi, C. : A cohort study on mortality among wives of workers in the asbestos cement industry in Casale Monferrato, Italy. British Journal of Industrial Medicine, 50, 779-784, 1993
  37. Wagner, J. C. : The discovery of the association between blue asbestos and mesothelioma and the aftermath. British Journal Industrial Medicine, 48, 399-403, 1991 https://doi.org/10.1136/oem.48.6.399
  38. Hansen, J., de Klerk, N. H., Musk, A. W. and Hobbs, M. S. T. : Environmental exposure to croci do lite and mesothelioma. American Journal Respiratory Critical Care Medicine, 157, 69-75, 1998 https://doi.org/10.1164/ajrccm.157.1.96-11086
  39. Berry, M. : Mesothelioma incidence and community asbestos exposure. Environmental Research, 76, 34-40, 1997 https://doi.org/10.1006/enrs.1997.3770
  40. Maule, M. M., Magnani, c., Dalmasso, P., Mirabelli, D., Merletti, F. and Biggeri, A. : Modeling mesothe-lioma risk associated with environmental asbestos exposure. Environmental Health Perspectives, 115(7), 1066-1071, 2007 https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.9900
  41. Kurumatani, N. and Kumagai, S. : Mapping the risk of mesothelioma due to neighborhood asbestos exposure. American Journal of Respiratory Critical Care Medicine, 178(6), 624-629, 2008 https://doi.org/10.1164/rccm.200801-063OC
  42. Bourdes, V., Boffetta, P. and Pisani, P. : Environmental exposure to asbestos and risk of pleural mesothelioma: review and meta-analysis. European Journal Epidemiology, 16(5),411-417,2000 https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1007691003600
  43. Merewether, E. R. : The occurrence of pulmonary fibrosis and other pulmonary affections in asbestos workers. Journal Industrial Hygiene, 12, 198-222, 1930
  44. Kang, D. M. : The relationship between environmental asbestos exposure and malignant mesothelioma in Busan, Korea. International Asbestos Conference, Yokohama, 237-254, 2007
  45. Kim, H. R. : Current situation of asbestos hazard and it's human impact. Condition and measure for former asbestos mines. The 30th Environmental Health Forum. Seoul, 15-37, 2009
  46. Muscat, J. E. and Huncharek, M. S. : Perineal talc use and ovarian cancer: a critical review. European Journal Cancer Prevention, 17(2), 139-146, 2008 https://doi.org/10.1097/CEJ.0b013e32811080ef
  47. Wild, P. : Lung cancer risk and talc not containing asbestiform fibers: a review of the epidemiological evidence. Occupational Environmental Medicine, 63, 4-9, 2006 https://doi.org/10.1136/oem.2005.020750
  48. Enrico Favero-Longo, S., Turci, F., Tomatis, M., Compagnoni, R., Piervittori, R. and Fubini, B. : The effect of weathering on ecopersistence, reactivity, and potential toxicity of naturally occurring asbestos and asbestiform minerals. Journal Toxicology Environmental Health, 72(5), 305-314, 2009 https://doi.org/10.1080/15287390802529864
  49. Lu, S., Gao, W. and Gu, H. Y. : Construction, application and biosafety of silver nanocrystalline chitosan wound dressing. Burns, 34, 623-628, 2008 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.burns.2007.08.020
  50. Zvyagin, A. and Zhao, X. : Imaging of zinc oxide nanoparticle penetration in human skin in vitro and in vivo. Journal Biomedical Optics, 13(6), 1-9, 2008 https://doi.org/10.1117/1.3041492
  51. Langseth, H. and Kjaerheim, K : Ovarian cancer and occupational exposure among pulp and paper employees in Norway. Scandinavian Journal Work Environment Health, 30(5), 356-361, 2004 https://doi.org/10.5271/sjweh.823
  52. Fujimara, H., Kamimori, T., Morinaga, K, Takeda, Y., Kohyama, N., Miki, Y., Inai, K and Yamamoto, S. : An autopsy case of primary pericardial mesothelioma in arc cutter exposed to asbestos through talc pencils. Industrial Health, 43, 346-350, 2005 https://doi.org/10.2486/indhealth.43.346

Cited by

  1. Comparison of the Efficiency between a Remodeled Bubble Generating Pumps for an Aquarium Fish and the Existed Commercial Air Sampler for the Sampling of Ambient Air Asbestos vol.24, pp.4, 2014, https://doi.org/10.15269/JKSOEH.2014.24.4.492
  2. A Study of the Risk Communication on Management Policy of Asbestos Related Stakeholders vol.24, pp.1, 2014, https://doi.org/10.15269/JKSOEH.2014.24.1.079
  3. Environmental health centers for asbestos and their health impact surveys and activities vol.28, pp.1, 2016, https://doi.org/10.1186/s40557-016-0154-8
  4. A Study on Characteristics of Airborne Asbestos Concentrations Using PCM and TEM in Life Environment Surroundings of Seoul vol.35, pp.9, 2013, https://doi.org/10.4491/KSEE.2013.35.9.613
  5. Mineralogical Characterization of Asbestos in Soil at Daero-ri, Seosan, Chungnam, Korea vol.47, pp.5, 2014, https://doi.org/10.9719/EEG.2014.47.5.479
  6. A Study on Characteristics of Airborne Asbestos Concentrations at Demolition Sites and Surrounding Areas of Asbestos Containing Buildings in Seoul vol.36, pp.6, 2014, https://doi.org/10.4491/KSEE.2014.36.6.434