• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.201-208
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• 2011

Objectives: According to the compliance of the asbestos-related regulation, every building has to be inspected for asbestos presence before its abatement work. This study was performed for identifying the types and contents of asbestos in building bulk samples. Materials and Methods: Bulk samples were collected during the asbestos inspection in 2010. We grouped the bulk samples into the regulated asbestos containing materials(RACM), presumed asbestos containing materials(PACM), and construction products. Additionally, the types of asbestos in all bulk samples were identified by polarization microscopy(PLM). Results: The RACMs were from building, house, pipe and facility. The RACMs were found mainly building (72.1%) and house (93.7%). The contents of chrysotile in building, house and facility were 66.9% (1-90%), 89.7% (2-90%) and 11.0% (2-90%), respectively. PACMs were surfacing material, thermal system insulation (TSI), and miscellaneous material. The miscellaneous materials that showed a high detection rate (79.2%) were ceiling, roofing and wall materials. Among them, the roofing materials had high chrysotile content(9.7%, 2-21%), followed by wall (8.7%, 2-21%) and ceiling (3.4%, 1-17%). In the construction products, asbestos was found mainly in slate (92.6%, 2-21%), including chrysotile. The slate had high asbestos content (9.7%, 2-21%), followed by cement flat board (8.7%, 2-19%) and textile (3.4%, 1-17%) Conclusions: Utilizing these results, it would be contributed to construct a useful ACM database and prevent from asbestos exposure to workers in the asbestos abatement and maintenance works.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.213-232
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• 2009

This document was prepared to review and summarize the analytical methods for airborne and bulk asbestos. Basic principles, shortcomings and advantages for asbestos analytical instruments using phase contrast microscopy(PCM), polarized light microscopy(PLM), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), transmission electron microscopy(TEM), scanning electron microscopy(SEM) were reviewed. Both PCM and PLM are principal instrument for airborne and bulk asbestos analysis, respectively. If needed, analytical electron microscopy is employed to confirm asbestos identification. PCM is used originally for workplace airborne asbestos fiber and its application has been expanded to measure airborne fiber. Shortcoming of PCM is that it cannot differentiate true asbestos from non asbestos fiber form and its low resolution limit ($0.2{\sim}0.25{\mu}m$). The measurement of airborne asbestos fiber can be performed by EPA's Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) method, World Health Organization (WHO) method, International Standard Organization (ISO) 10312 method, Japan's Environmental Asbestos Monitoring method, and Standard method of Indoor Air Quality of Korea. The measurement of airborne asbestos fiber in workplace can be performed by National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) 7400 method, NIOSH 7402 method, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) ID-160 method, UK's Health and Safety Executive(HSE) Methods for the determination of hazardous substances (MDHS) 39/4 method and Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency (KOSHA) CODE-A-1-2004 method of Korea. To analyze the bulk asbestos, stereo microscope (SM) and PLM is required by EPA -600/R-93/116 method. Most bulk asbestos can be identified by SM and PLM but one limitation of PLM is that it can not see very thin fiber (i.e., < $0.25{\mu}m$). Bulk asbestos analytical methods, including EPA-600/M4-82-020, EPA-600/R-93/116, OSHA ID-191, Laboratory approval program of New York were reviewed. Also, analytical methods for asbestos in soil, dust, water were briefly discussed. Analytical electron microscope, a transmission electron microscope equipped with selected area electron diffraction (SAED) and energy dispersive X-ray analyser(EDXA), has been known to be better to identify asbestiform than scanning electron microscope(SEM). Though there is no standard SEM procedures, SEM is known to be more suitable to analyze long, thin fiber and more cost-effective. Field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) imaging protocol was developed to identify asbestos fiber. Although many asbestos analytical methods are available, there is no method that can be applied to all type of samples. In order to detect asbestos with confidence, all advantages and disadvantages of each instrument and method for given sample should be considered.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.222-226
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• 2011

This study was conducted to identify the characteristics of analytical errors shown in the Korean quality control program on bulk asbestos analyses using polarized light microscopy (PLM). 179 participating laboratories were required to analyze 4 samples respectively and asked to classify each test sample as asbestos-containing (positive) or non-asbestos-containing (negative). For positive samples, participants were also asked to identify the type and semiquantitate the contents of asbestos present. The test results showed 21 (4%) false negative errors among 562 samples, 9 (6%) false positive errors among 154 samples and 53 (9%) asbestos identification errors among 562 samples. Most of false negative and positive errors were observed in a few types of samples. Higher frequencies of asbestos identification errors were shown in samples containing two or more types of asbestos and samples containing anthophyllite, tremolite or actinolite asbestos. For semiquantitative analyses, the ratios of mean to nominal weight contents were 2.1 for chrysotile and 2.9 for amphiboles. A tendency of over-estimation was observed in semiquantitative analyses using the visual estimation technique and higher in case of analyzing samples containing amphiboles than chrysotile. Coefficients of variation (CVs) of semiquantitative analytical results were 0.44~0.83 and 0.5~1.14 for samples containing chrysotile and amphibole asbestos, respectively.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.137-146
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• 1995

Twenty(20) large commercial buildings located in Seoul with friable sprayed-on surface insulation material on ceilings were investigated for asbestos content in bulk material by polarized light microscopy and for airborne fiber concentrations in buildings by phase contrast microscopy. In addition, such building-related variables as building age, numbers of traffic, airflow, surface conditions of the ceiling, temperature, and humidity were studied for any correlation with airborne fiber concentrations. The results were as follows: 1. Chrysotile asbestos was found in two bulk samples with 3-5% content and with <1%in one sample out of total 20 bulk samples collected. Glass fiber and mineral wool were the two major constituents of the bulk samples. 2. The ceiling surfaces were very friable in 16 buildings and were relatively hard in 4 buildings. The friability of the surface material was dependent upon the type and the amount of binder that had been mixed with the sprayed-on surface material. 3. Airborne fiber concentrations were log-normally distributed and the geometric mean(geometric standard deviation) fiber concentrations in the underground parking lots, inside buildings, and outdoor ambient air were 0.0063(1.97)f/cc, 0.0068(2.29)f/cc, and 0.0033(2.36)f/cc, respectively. 4. No significant relationship of airborne fiber concentrations and all building-related variables studied except humidity was found. The results of this study suggest that the sprayed-on surface insulation material found in some commercial buildings may possibly be contaminated with asbestos. Since most of the ceiling surfaces surveyed were very friable and poorly maintained and the airborne fiber concentrations were relatively high, there is a possibility of asbestos fiber contamination in these buildings, particularly at those buildings with asbestos-contaminated surface material. Since poorly maintained surface conditions were thought to be a source of high airborne fiber concentrations, there is a urgent need of a systematic operation and maintenance program. Further study of non-occupational asbestos exposure in general population utilizing advanced analytical technique such as transmission electron microscopy is highly recommended.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.35-40
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• 2013

Objectives: Asbestos contents of crushed serpentine rocks and airborne fiber concentrations of workers were determined at two serpentine quarries and a steel mill. Methods: Bulk samples of uncrushed and crushed serpentine rocks were collected and analyzed by PLM and TEM. Airborne asbestos samples were collected from the breathing zone of workers and the vicinity of working area and analyzed by PCM and TEM. Results: Chrysotile was identified with antigorite, lizardite and non-asbestiform actinolite in bulk samples. The arithmetic means of chrysotile contents in crushed serpentines were 0.11, 0.01, 0.42%(W/W) by quarry A, quarry B and a steel mill, respectively. The asbestos concentrations of all personal samples were less than 0.1 f/cc which is the permissible exposure limit of workers in Korea. The arithmetic means of airborne asbestos concentrations were 0.017 f/cc and 0.009 f/cc in personal samples collected from two serpentine quarries. The asbestos concentrations of all personal samples collected from a steel mill were less than LODs by PCM analysis but asbestos was detected in area samples by TEM. By the job tasks of serpentine quarries, crusher/separator operation generated the highest exposure to airborne asbestos. Conclusions: Although chrysotile contents in crushed serpentines of quarries were less the permissible level, the highest exposure of workers in serpentine quarries reached up to 76% of the permissible level of airborne asbestos. There were also possibilities of occupational exposure to airborne asbestos in a steel mill. The present exposure study should encourage further survey and occupational control of quarries producing serpentine or other types of asbestos-bearing rocks.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.318-321
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• 2017

This commentary presents the regulatory backgrounds and development of the national proficiency testing (PT) scheme on asbestos analysis in the Republic of Korea. Since 2009, under the amended Occupational Safety and Health Act, the survey of asbestos in buildings and clearance test of asbestos removal works have been mandated to be carried out by the laboratories designated by the Ministry of Employment and Labor (MOEL) in the Republic of Korea. To assess the performance of asbestos laboratories, a PT scheme on asbestos analysis was launched by the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency (KOSHA) on behalf of the MOEL in 2007. Participating laboratories are evaluated once a year for fiber counting and bulk asbestos analysis by phase contrast microscopy and polarized light microscopy, respectively. Currently, the number of laboratory enrollments is > 200, and the percentage of passed laboratories is > 90. The current status and several significant changes in operation, sample preparations, and statistics of assigning the reference values of the KOSHA PT scheme on asbestos analysis are presented. Critical retrospect based on the experiences of operating the KOSHA PT scheme suggests considerations for developing a new national PT scheme for asbestos analysis.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.165-175
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• 1996

Fourteen(14) large commercial buildings located in Seoul with friable sprayed-on surface insulation material on ceiling were investigated for fiber types in bulk material and for airborne fiber concentrations in buildings by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) in order to compare the results with those by polarized light microscopy (PLM) and phase contrast microscopy (PCM). The results were as follows: 1. Chrysotile asbestos was found in one bulk sample out of total 14 bulk samples collected. Glass fiber and mineral wool were the two major constituents of the bulk samples. 2. The Na-Mg-Si-Ca-Fe-Al ratios of the EDX spectra which were normalized with the Si peak were 0-1.0-10-8.3-4.0-4.0 in mineral wool and 0-5-10-21-0-0 in chrysotile asbestos, respectively. 3. Airborne fiber concentrations were log-normalcy distributed and the geometric mean (geometric standard deviation) fiber concentrations by TEM in the underground parking lots and inside buildings were 0.0048 f/cc(1.93) and 0.0040 f/cc(2.27), respectively with no statistical difference. In the outdoor ambient air, statistically significantly lower concentration of 0.0018 f/cc(2.04) was measured. 4. The TEM/PCM ratios of airborne fiber concentrations ranged 0.5 - 2.0 for 80 % of airborne samples analyzed, end the regression equation between TEM and PCM was PCM=-0.2724+1.1355(TEM) with the coefficient of determination $R^2=0.52$. The results of this study confirmed that the sprayed-on surface insulation material found in some commercial buildings may possibly be contaminated with asbestos fiber. Since statistically significant relationship of fiber concentrations measured by PCM and TEM inside buildings and ambient air was found, previous results by PCM in ambient air could be used to estimate the ambient fiber concentrations in knowing the ratio of TEM/PCM.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.144-153
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• 1991

This study was conducted to evaluate worker exposure to airborne asbestos fibers by industry, and to evaluate polarized-light microscopy for determining airborne asbestos fibers. A total of 11 plants including asbestos textile, brake-lining manufacturing, slate manufacturing, and automobile maintenance shops were investigated. Rsults of the study are summarized as follows. 1. Worker exposure levels to airborne asbestos fibers were the highest in asbestos textile industry, followed by brake-lining manufacturing, slate manufacturing, and automobile maintenance shops, in order. In asbestos textile industry, large variation of asbestos levels was found by plants. The worst plant indicated airborne fiber concentrations in excess of 10 fibers/cc, however, the best plant showed concentrations within 0.50 fibers/cc. 2. Characterization of airborne fibers by industry indicated that fibers from asbestos textile industry were the longest with the largest aspect ratio. Fibers from automobile maintenance shops were the shortest with the smallest aspect ratio. Based on characteristics of fibers and the highest levels of concentrations, it is concluded that workers in the asbestos textile industry are exposed to the highest risk of producing asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma. 3. Result s obtained using polarized-light microscopy were $43.7{\pm}12.3%$ of the results obtained using phase contrast microscopy. This may be resulted from the worse resolution of polarized-light microscopy than that of phase contrast microscopy. Based on the results, it is recommended that polarized-light microscopy be used for mainly bulk sample analyses and further study be performed to improve the method for determining airborne samples. However, polarized-light microscopy can be used for determining thick fibers.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.8-15
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• 2009

This study was examined to find out asbestos exposure level the factors which affected the level at asbestos abatement sites. We visited a total of thirteen building demolition sites(3 apartments, 3 schools, 4 stores, and 3 houses) were visited to collect samples and related data from August to November, 2006. The results of this study were as follows 1. The results of an analysis of bulk samples to identify types of asbestos at the asbestos abatement sites showed that the kinds of the asbestos detected were chrysotile by 50.0%, were tremolite by 2.6%, and were the contents of chrysotile by 3 to 20%. 2. The geometric mean concentration of asbestos was 0.007 f/cc(range 0.001-0.34 f/cc) and its geometric standard deviation was 5.83. Of the samples, however, 12 exceeded the Korean Occupational Exposure Limit(0.1f/cc). 3. Of the materials, textile material had the highest concentration with geometric mean of 0.016 f/cc. When asbestos-containing materials were removed using T type tools, the geometric mean concentration of asbestos was 0.061 f/cc. The level by this method was much higher than by other removal methods. In analysis by the type of building, the geometric mean concentration of asbestos in stores was 0.042 f/cc and was higher than in other buildings. 4. The Poisson regression analysis was applied to find out the factors that affect the airborne asbestos concentration. As a result of the analysis, removal using a T type tool was the most important factor affecting the asbestos concentration(p<0.01). In conclusion, the airborne asbestos concentration(geometric mean) in asbestos abatement sites was 0.007 f/cc(0.001~0.34 f/cc), and 12(14.6%) of all samples were over the 0.1 f/cc. These results showed that asbestos abatement workers have been exposed to the high level of airborne asbestos because they have not been keeping asbestos removal rule. In accordance with increases of the number of building demolition sites, the better government regulation on asbestos abatement methods should be made and be performed well at building demolition sites.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.35-42
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• 2018

Objectives: The objectives of this study are to research the usage characteristics of asbestos-containing building materials and to conduct exposure risk assessment by applying no. 2016-230 "Methods of Risk Assessment of Asbestos-Containing Buildings" from the Ministry of Environment. Methods: One hundred buildings located in the Seoul and Gyeonggi-Incheon area were chosen, with 29 in Seoul, 20 in Incheon, and 51 in Gyeonggi-do Province. The year of construction was divided between three buildings in the 1970s, 11 buildings in the 1980s, 42 buildings in the 1990s, and 44 buildings in the 2000s. The bulk samples were analyzed by using a polarizing microscope after a pre-process using a stereomicroscope in a hood with an HEPA filter. This study defined ACMs(asbestos-containing materials) as asbestos when the content percentage was over 1% in the analysis result. Methods and standards of risk assessment of asbestos-containing building materials were conducted by refering to no. 2016-230 "Method of Risk Assessment of Asbestos-Containing Buildings" from the Ministry of Environment. The risk of exposure to ACMs was rated by a score based on three categories(high, middle, low risk of asbestos exposure). Results: In this study, 30 of the 100 buildings and 36 of the 416 bulk samples(8.6%) were found to have had asbestos. Asbestos was detected at a high rate, in 18 out of 42, in buildings constructed in the 1990s and at the lowest rate(7 out of 44) for buildings constructed in the 2000s. As a result of the evaluation according to no. 2016-230 "Method of Risk Assessment of Asbestos-Containing Buildings" of the Ministry of Environment, the risk assessment level of two asbestos-containing building materials was found to be "Medium", and 28 buildings materials were found to be at the "Low" level. Conclusion: As asbestos is regulated by the government, it is required to conduct active management and implemention by introducing methods of risk assessment of asbestos exposure that are supported by data from various situations. In the case of buildings owned by individuals, building owners should be aware of the risk of exposure to asbestos.