Activity-Based Exposure Levels and Cancer Risk Assessment Due to Naturally Occurring Asbestos for the Residents Near Abandoned Asbestos Mines in South Korea

Abstract

This study aims to evaluate the overall asbestos exposure intensity and assess the health risk to residents due to naturally occurring asbestos (NOA) near abandoned asbestos mines in South Korea. Of 38 mines, we found 19 with measured concentrations of NOA. We evaluated the average of airborne NOA concentrations according to the environmental exposure category. When evaluated regionally by dividing into two clusters, the mean concentrations in activity-based sampling (ABS) scenarios exceeded the Korean exposure limit (0.01 f/cc) in both clusters. Moreover, airborne NOA concentrations in agricultural activity (5.49 × 10−2 f/cc) and daily activity (6.95 × 10−2 f/cc) had the highest values for clusters A and B, respectively. The excess lifetime cancer risk of one region (cluster A) by the ABS scenarios did not exceed the Korean Ministry of the Environment’s criteria for soil purification (1 × 10−4). However, one of the ABS scenarios—the daily life activity of clusters centered on Chungcheongbuk-do (cluster B)—showed an exposure of 1.08 × 10−4, greater than the limit (1 × 10−4). This indicates non negligible health damage to residents living near the abandoned asbestos mines, and it is necessary to continuously monitor and clean up the asbestos contamination.

A critical review of asbestos concentrations in water and air, according to exposure sources

“…Lee . S et al (2021) [ 73 ], studied to evaluate the intensity of asbestos exposure and the risk to the health of residents in a natural asbestos area (NOA) near abandoned asbestos mines in South Korea. According to the bibliographical review carried out, there are 38 abandoned asbestos mines in this country with a history of asbestos extraction, and in 19 of these, NOA concentrations in the air had been measured in their vicinity.…”

“… 2020 [ 82 ] Colombia Environmental – – – It is a risk estimation for population living in proximity of mines. 2021 [ 78 ] South Korea Environmental TEM PCM 42 0.00045-0,00057 f/cc 0,00122–0.00032 f/cc Studies in sites of interest in urban and rural areas 2021 [ 15 ] South Korea Ambiental Review – – The estimated exposure measurements via the ABS method of NOA exceeded the current environmental exposure limits in South Korea, and health damage to residents living near the abandoned asbestos mines was not negligible 2021 [ 73 ] South Korea PCM 30 0.2221–0.3386 f/cc (material No Treated) 0.0064–0.0121 f/cc (Material Treated) This study evaluated the relative merits of asbestos stabilizers purchased in Korea and other countries to identify the characteristics of asbestos fibers that were dispersed from treated and untreated CACS exposed to different wind speeds. At wind speeds of 5 and 10 m/s, the concentrations of fibers dispersed from treated asbestos cement sheets (CACS) were significantly lower than those of the fibers dispersed from untreated CACS.…”

Mesothelin methylation, soluble mesothelin related protein levels and inflammation profiling in workers chronically exposed to naturally occurring asbestos fibers

“…Environmental exposure to NOA occurs as a result of a natural activity or social actions in regular lifetime situations, such as agriculture, transport, construction, leisure exposures and simply living close to the source of exposure [ 5 , [9] , [10] , [11] ].…”

Impact of Naturally Occurring Asbestos on Asbestos Ban: Regulations and Experience of the Republic of Korea

“…Since then, the MOE has extensively investigated the asbestos contamination of soil and rocks in areas around abandoned asbestos mines, along with the health effects on residents. An activity-based risk assessment revealed non-negligible health risk to residents living in NOA-contaminated areas near abandoned asbestos mines in Korea [ 9 ].…”