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Asbestos and Cancers: Exposure from Neighboring Factories and Mines, Contaminated Soil, and Slate Roofs

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A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (28 February 2022) | Viewed by 27946

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Dongmug Kang

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Guest Editor

Department of Occupational & Environmental medicine, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Gyongnam 50612, Korea
Interests: environmental epidemiology; asbestos; occupational medicine

Dr. Eun A Kim

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Assistant Guest Editor

Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute, Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency, Ulsan 44429, Korea
Interests: occupational medicine; epidemiology; occupational cancer

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Although occupational exposure levels have been well established, environmental exposures, including neighboring exposure from asbestos mines and factories, naturally occurring asbestos near asbestos mines, and slate roofs have not been studied as much. Because cancers caused by asbestos require a long latency period of between 10 and 50 years, past exposure estimations from various non-occupational exposure routes represent special topics of interest for environmental epidemiology. Past exposure reconstructions could be conducted via emission estimation from occupational exposure to the environment, pooled analysis, and remodeling of past data. Despite the relationship between neighboring exposure and malignant mesothelioma, cancers caused by non-occupational asbestos exposures and other cancers such as lung, larynx, and ovary have not been fully studied. Cancer risks of non-occupational exposure might be studied with regard to excessive cancer risks based on exposure estimation, and geographic information including cluster analysis, and big data linkage of nationwide health data. Even though developed and newly developed countries have banned asbestos use, developing countries have so far failed to do the same. Studies of non-occupational exposure estimations, relationship of cancers with asbestos, prediction of future incidence of asbestos-related cancers, and comparison of compensation systems of non-occupational exposure will help researchers, clinical professionals, and interest groups to mitigate the hazards of asbestos.

Dr. Dongmug Kang
Guest Editors
Dr. Eun A Kim
Assistant Guest Editor

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Keywords

asbestos
exposure
risk
compensation
Asia
mine
naturally occurring
slate
cancer
big data

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Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 573 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Standardized Incidence Ratio and Standardized Mortality Ratio of Malignant Mesothelioma in a Worker Cohort Using Employment Insurance Database in Korea

by Eun-A Kim

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(20), 10682; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182010682 - 12 Oct 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2336

Abstract

Malignant mesothelioma is one of the appropriate indicators for assessing the carcinogenic effects of asbestos. This study compared the risk ratio of mesothelioma according to the industry in the worker cohort. A cohort was constructed using the Korean employment insurance system during 1995–2017, enrolling 13,285,895 men and 10,452,705 women. The standardized mortality ratio (SMR) and standardized incidence ratio (SIR) were calculated using the indirect standardization method. There were 641 malignant mesotheliomas that occurred; the SIR was significantly higher than the general population (men 1.36, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.24–1.48, women 1.44, 95% CI: 1.23–1.7). More than half (52.8%) of malignant mesothelioma cases occurred in the manufacturing (n = 240, 38.6%, SIR: men, 1.72, 95% CI: 1.37–2.15, women, 3.31, 95% CI: 1.71–5.79) and construction industries (n = 88, 14.2%, SIR: men, 1.54 95% CI: 1.33–1.78, women, 1.62 95% CI: 1.25–2.11). The accommodation and food service (men, 2.56 95% CI: 1.28–4.58, women 1.35, 95% CI: 0.65–2.48) and real estate (men 1.34, 95% CI: 0.98–1.83, women 1.95, 95% CI: 0.78–4.02) also showed a high SIR, indicating the risk of asbestos-containing materials in old buildings. The incidence of malignant mesothelioma is likely to increase in the future, given the long latency of this disease. Moreover, long-term follow-up studies will be needed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Asbestos and Cancers: Exposure from Neighboring Factories and Mines, Contaminated Soil, and Slate Roofs)

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10 pages, 315 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Epidemiologic Characteristics of Malignant Mesothelioma Cases in Korea: Findings of the Asbestos Injury Relief System from 2011–2015

by Soon-Chan Kwon, Sung-Soo Lee, Min-Sung Kang, Da-An Huh and Yong-Jin Lee

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(19), 10007; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph181910007 - 23 Sep 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1821

Abstract

(1) Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the epidemiological characteristics of malignant mesothelioma in Korea by investigating cases compensated under the asbestos injury relief system. (2) Methods: A total of 407 compensated cases between 2011 and 2015 were reviewed using medical records and resident registrations in order to investigate the dates of diagnosis and death. Asbestos exposure and patients’ general characteristics were investigated through face-to-face interviews. The standardized incidence ratio was calculated as the number of observations from 2005 to 2014 per exposure region in Korea, using the mid-annual population of each region in 2009 as the standard population. (3) Results: Among the 407 cases, 65.1% were male. The pleura and peritoneum were affected in 76.9% and 23.1% of cases, respectively. For peritoneal mesothelioma, the median survival duration was longer (p = 0.005), and the proportion of affected women was higher than that in pleural mesothelioma. The standardized incidence ratio (95% CI) by province of primary exposure was Chungnam 3.33 (2.51–4.35), Ulsan 1.85 (0.97–3.21), and Seoul 1.32 (1.06–1.63). (4) Conclusions: Although the representativeness of the data is limited, it is sufficient to assume the epidemiologic characteristics of malignant mesothelioma, help improve the compensation system, and contribute to future policies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Asbestos and Cancers: Exposure from Neighboring Factories and Mines, Contaminated Soil, and Slate Roofs)

9 pages, 298 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Increased Risk of Gastric Cancer in Asbestos-Exposed Workers: A Retrospective Cohort Study Based on Taiwan Cancer Registry 1980–2015

by Yi-Jen Fang, Hung-Yi Chuang, Chih-Hong Pan, Yu-Yin Chang, Yawen Cheng, Lukas Jyuhn-Hsiarn Lee and Jung-Der Wang

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(14), 7521; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18147521 - 15 Jul 2021

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3082

Abstract

Asbestos has been recognized as a human carcinogen associated with malignant mesothelioma, cancers of lung, larynx, and ovary. However, a putative association between gastric cancer and asbestos exposure remains controversial. In this study, we aimed to explore gastric cancer risk of workers potentially exposed to asbestos in Taiwan. The asbestos occupational cohort was established from 1950 to 2015 based on the Taiwan Labor Insurance Database, and Taiwan Environmental Protection Agency regulatory datasets, followed by the Taiwan Cancer Registry for the period 1980–2015. Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) for cancer were computed for the whole cohort using reference rates of the general population, and also reference labor population. Compared with the general population, SIR of the asbestos occupational cohort for the gastric cancer increased both in males (1.05, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.02–1.09) and females (1.10, 95% CI: 1.01–1.18). A total of 123 worksites were identified to have cases of malignant mesothelioma, where increased risk for gastric cancer was found with a relative risk of 1.76 (95% CI: 1.63–1.90). This 35-year retrospective cohort study of asbestos-exposed workers in Taiwan may provide support for an association between occupational exposure to asbestos and gastric cancer. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Asbestos and Cancers: Exposure from Neighboring Factories and Mines, Contaminated Soil, and Slate Roofs)

12 pages, 775 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Asbestos Exposure Level and the Carcinogenic Risk Due to Corrugated Asbestos-Cement Slate Roofs in Korea

by Eun-Soo Lee and Young-Ki Kim

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(13), 6925; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18136925 - 28 Jun 2021

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3131

Abstract

Asbestos-cement slate roofs are one of the most common environmental causes of asbestos exposure. However, few studies have examined residential asbestos-cement slate-related exposure and its effects on human health. This study was performed to evaluate cumulative asbestos exposure levels and to calculate the Excess Lifetime Cancer Risk (ELCR) of residents of asbestos-cement slate-roofed houses. We reviewed previous Korean literature to estimate the concentration of airborne asbestos from asbestos-cement slate roofed buildings. Finally, eight studies were selected, and a pooled analysis was performed. The results derived from the pooled analysis were combined with the data from a health impact survey conducted from 2009 to 2016 at the Environmental Health Center for Asbestos (EHCA) of the Yangsan Pusan National University Hospital, and a carcinogenic risk assessment was performed. As a result, the representative value of the indoor exposure concentration related to asbestos-cement slate was found to be 0.0032 f/cc on average, and the representative value of the exposure related to occupational asbestos-cement slate dismantling and demolition was found to be 0.0034 f/cc. In addition, the ELCR of asbestos-cement slate related indoor exposure and occupational dismantling and demolition was found to be of medium risk, and the ELCR of residential dismantling and demolition of asbestos-cement slate was less than 10⁻⁶, indicating that the risk was low. Since there is no threshold for carcinogenicity related to asbestos, this should not be ignored even if the risk appears low, and it would be reasonable to calculate the carcinogenic risk based on total lifetime exposure. More studies on asbestos exposure scenarios and the scope of similar exposure groups through additional data collection and further analysis of risk are needed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Asbestos and Cancers: Exposure from Neighboring Factories and Mines, Contaminated Soil, and Slate Roofs)

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10 pages, 492 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Future Incidence of Malignant Mesothelioma in South Korea: Updated Projection to 2038

by Kyeongmin Kwak, Sung-il Cho and Domyung Paek

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(12), 6614; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18126614 - 19 Jun 2021

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3059

Abstract

Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is a cancer that is largely caused by exposure to asbestos. Although asbestos is no longer used in South Korea, the incidence of MM continues to increase due to its long latent period. We aimed to update the previous prediction of MM incidence until 2038. We predicted the incidence of MM over the next 20 years (2019–2038) in South Korea using Møller’s age–period–cohort (APC) model and a Poisson regression model based on asbestos consumption. The APC model predicted that the crude incidence rate would increase sharply in men and slowly in women. Despite the sex discrepancy in the rate of increase, the incidence rate for both sexes is expected to continue increasing until 2038. In the Poisson model, the crude incidence rate was predicted to increase continuously until 2038, and far more cases of MM were predicted to occur compared with the results of the APC model. When compared with actual incidence data, the APC model was deemed more suitable than the Poisson model. The APC model predicted a continuous increase over the next 20 years with no peak, suggesting that the incidence of MM will continue to rise far into the future. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Asbestos and Cancers: Exposure from Neighboring Factories and Mines, Contaminated Soil, and Slate Roofs)

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12 pages, 1785 KiB

Open AccessArticle

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

by Seungho Lee, Dongmug Kang, Youngki Kim, Yoon-Ji Kim and Se-Yeong Kim

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(10), 5225; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18105225 - 14 May 2021

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2834

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. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Asbestos and Cancers: Exposure from Neighboring Factories and Mines, Contaminated Soil, and Slate Roofs)

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20 pages, 2660 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Development of Nationwide Excess Lifetime Cancer Risk Evaluation Methods with Comprehensive Past Asbestos Exposure Reconstruction

by Dongmug Kang, Seung Ho Lee, Yoon Ji Kim, Tae Kyoung Kim, Ju Young Kim and Youngki Kim

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(6), 2819; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18062819 - 10 Mar 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2577

Abstract

Although exposure to asbestos via various routes has been acknowledged, comprehensive exposure and risk assessment methods have not been developed at the national level. We conducted a study to reconstruct comprehensive past asbestos exposure estimations and to suggest a method to calculate the Excess Lifetime Cancer Risk (ELCR) of Koreans. The past occupational exposure reconstruction was conducted by rebuilding the previous general population job-exposure matrix (JEM). The para-occupational and household exposure estimation was based on the pooled analysis of data from other countries as well as Korea. The neighborhood exposure from occupational sources by distance was estimated by the exponential decay model. As a result, 141 JEM exposure groups across four periods including ~79, the 80s, 90s, 2000s with a ratio of 2.0:1.0:0.5:0.05 were reconstructed. The para-occupational and household exposures were 11% and 1% of the JEM respectively. The environmental exposure source concentration from outside occupational exposure was 2.5% of the inside concentration. The ratio of the concentration of environmental exposure source (C₀) to distance d (C_d) was

e x p^{- k d}

with a decay constant k of 6.834. The mean concentrations (f/cc) were 2.28 × 10⁻³ for outdoor, 4.65 × 10⁻⁵ for indoor, 1.95 × 10⁻² for transportation activity, 4.44 × 10⁻² for agricultural activity, and 4.68 × 10⁻² for daily life activity in naturally occurring asbestos areas. Indoor and outdoor asbestos concentrations from living in a slate roof house were 1.73 × 10⁻⁶ and 2.70 × 10⁻⁸, respectively. For improved generalizability, validity, and applicability of the proposed method, further studies on each route with real assessments and experiments are required. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Asbestos and Cancers: Exposure from Neighboring Factories and Mines, Contaminated Soil, and Slate Roofs)

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15 pages, 786 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Incidence of Cancer and Asbestos-Related Diseases among Residents Living near Abandoned Asbestos Mines in South Korea: A Retrospective Cohort Study Using National Health Insurance Database

by Kyeongmin Kwak, Kyung Ehi Zoh and Domyung Paek

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(3), 875; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18030875 - 20 Jan 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 5489

Abstract

The use of asbestos has been banned since 2009 in South Korea. However, there is still a risk of exposure to environmental asbestos originating from abandoned asbestos mines. We constructed a retrospective dynamic cohort using the National Health Insurance Database of South Korea. We determined the risk of developing asbestos-related diseases (ARDs) among residents living near asbestos mines compared with those living in the control area and the general population. The risks of asbestosis (adjusted hazards ratio [HR] 65.40, 95% CI = 35.02–122.12) and pleural plaques (adjusted HR 3.55, 95% CI = 1.96–6.41) were significantly increased among residents living near the asbestos mines compared with the control area. The risk of malignant mesothelioma was increased near asbestos mines compared with the control area; however, it was not significant (adjusted HR 1.83, 95% CI = 0.61–5.47). When a separate analysis according to sex was conducted, the risk of mesothelioma among male residents was statistically significant (adjusted HR 8.30, 95% CI = 1.04–66.63), and the standardized incidence ratio (SIR) was significantly increased (SIR 3.48, 95% CI = 1.50–6.85). The risk of ARDs was increased due to environmental asbestos exposure near abandoned asbestos mines in South Korea. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Asbestos and Cancers: Exposure from Neighboring Factories and Mines, Contaminated Soil, and Slate Roofs)

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Review

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12 pages, 325 KiB

Open AccessReview

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

by Jiwoon Kwon

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(2), 742; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19020742 - 10 Jan 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2149

Abstract

This review examined the main issues debated in Korea regarding the production and use of materials containing naturally occurring asbestos (NOA) as impurities, and investigated the impacts of these debates on the asbestos ban, as well as the future implications. In Korea, incidents associated with the production and use of NOA-contaminated talc powders, construction rocks, serpentinites, and dolomite rocks raised public concern and led to accelerating the ban on asbestos. The main controversies concern policies on appropriate asbestos content limits, whether materials containing a trace amount of NOA should be banned, and the control of materials with high human exposure risk. To address recurring controversies, the implementation of preventive measures to manage elongated mineral particles and the use of transmission electron microscopy for more sensitive analysis need to be discussed, along with reaching social agreement on the controversial policies. To minimize the potential exposure to asbestos that may occur during the production and use of industrial minerals in the future, it is necessary to apply occupational exposure control measures and monitor the health effects of the relevant population groups. These national policies on NOA should be prepared based on close collaboration and discussion with policymakers, industry stakeholders, and related academic experts. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Asbestos and Cancers: Exposure from Neighboring Factories and Mines, Contaminated Soil, and Slate Roofs)

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