폐석면광산 주변 지역의 주택 침적먼지의 석면 검출과 석면폐증의 관련성

Abstract

Objectives: The lack of reliable information on environmental pollution and health impacts related to asbestoscontamination from abandoned mines has drawn attention to the need for a community health study. This studywas performed to evaluate asbestos-related health symptoms among residents near abandoned asbestos mineslocated in the Chungcheong Provinces. In addition, exposure assessment for asbestos is needed although theexposure to asbestos was in the past. Methods: Past exposure to asbestos among inhabitants near abandoned asbestos mines was estimated by usingsurface sampling of deposited dust in indoor and outdoor residences. A total of 54 participants were divided intotwo groups with (34 cases) and without (20 controls) diseases related to asbestos. Surface sampling of depositeddust was carried out in indoor and outdoor residences by collecting 105 samples. Deposited dust for samplingwas analyzed by polarization microscope (PLM) and scanning electron microscope?energy dispersive x-rayspectrometer (SEM-EDX) to detect asbestos. Subsequently, the elements of the deposited dust with asbestoswere analyzed by SEM-EDX to assess the contribution of sources such as abandoned mines, slate and soil. Results: Among the 105 samples, asbestos was detected by PLM in 29 (27.6%) sampling points, and detected bySEM in 56 (48.6%) sampling points. Asbestos in indoor residences was detected by PLM in four sampling points,and by SEM in 12 sampling points. Asbestos detection in indoor residences may be due to ventilation betweenindoors and outdoors, and indicates long-term exposure. The asbestos detection rate for outdoor residences in the casegroup was higher than that in the control group. This can be explained as the case group having had higher exposureto asbestos, and there has been continuous exposure to asbestos in the control group as well as the case group. Conclusion: Past residential asbestos exposure may be associated with asbestosis among local residents nearabandoned asbestos mines. Odds ratios were calculated for asbestos detection in outdoor residence by logisticregression analysis. Odds ratio between asbestos detection and asbestosis pulmonum was 3.36 (95% CI 0.90-12.53) (p=0.072), adjusting for age, sex, smoking status and work history with multi-variable logistic regressionby PLM analysis method.