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Environmental asbestos exposure sources in Korea

Background: Because of the long asbestos-related disease latencies (10-50 years), detection, diagnosis, and epidemiologic studies require asbestos exposure history. However, environmental asbestos exposure source (EAES) data are lacking. Objectives: To survey the available data for past EAES and sup...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of occupational and environmental health 2016-10, Vol.22 (4), p.307-314
Main Authors: Kang, Dong-Mug, Kim, Jong-Eun, Kim, Ju-Young, Lee, Hyun-Hee, Hwang, Young-Sik, Kim, Young-Ki, Lee, Yong-Jin
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:Background: Because of the long asbestos-related disease latencies (10-50 years), detection, diagnosis, and epidemiologic studies require asbestos exposure history. However, environmental asbestos exposure source (EAES) data are lacking. Objectives: To survey the available data for past EAES and supplement these data with interviews. Methods: We constructed an EAES database using a literature review and interviews of experts, former traders, and workers. Exposure sources by time period and type were visualized using a geographic information system (ArcGIS), web-based mapping (Google Maps), and OpenWeatherMap. The data were mounted in the GIS to show the exposure source location and trend. Results: The majority of asbestos mines, factories, and consumption was located in Chungnam; Gyeonggi, Busan, and Gyeongnam; and Gyeonggi, Daejeon, and Busan, respectively. Shipbuilding and repair companies were mostly located in Busan and Gyeongnam. Conclusions: These tools might help evaluate past exposure from EAES and estimate the future asbestos burden in Korea.
ISSN:1077-3525
2049-3967
DOI:10.1080/10773525.2016.1231948