Asbestosis Epidemics Caused by Non-occupational Neighborhood Exposure.
10.5124/jkma.2009.52.5.472
- Author:
Yeon Soon AHN
1
;
Hyoung Ryoul KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Occupational Medicine, Dongguk University College of Medicine, Korea. ysahn@dongguk.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Asbestosis;
Asbestos mining;
Neighborhood exposure;
Naturally occurring asbestos (NOA)
- MeSH:
Asbestos;
Asbestosis;
Calcium Carbonate;
Environmental Exposure;
Magnesium;
Mesothelioma;
Mining;
Public Health;
Public Policy;
Residence Characteristics;
Talc
- From:Journal of the Korean Medical Association
2009;52(5):472-481
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral in the Earth's crust, and it is not confined to the historic and current asbestos mining areas, but rather quite commonly encountered in certain geological environments across the world. The middle-west side of the Korean Peninsula (Chungnam province) has been composed of numerous talc and asbestos ore deposits derived from serpentine and dolomite. These areas have experienced epidemics of malignant mesothelioma and pleural plaques as a result of non-occupational "neighborhood" exposure and naturally occurring asbestos (NOA) exposure. However, asbestosis epidemics from environmental exposure were rare because asbestosis needs relatively high concentration of asbestos exposure. This review summarizes asbestosis epidemics which occurred in the residents who have lived past or current asbestos mining areas and natural in-place asbestos deposits (or asbestos-like mineral deposits) in the world, including Korean asbestosis endemics that occurred in Chungnam province, which has many historic asbestos mining. Also, this manuscript will describe effective public policies for managing NOA, minimizing potential hazards, and protecting public health from asbestos exposure.
