The Experts below are selected from a list of 591 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform
Domyung Paek - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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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
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2021Co-Authors: Kyeongmin Kwak, Kyung Ehi Zoh, Domyung PaekAbstract: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.
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The Asbestos Ban in Korea from a Grassroots Perspective: Why Did It Occur?
MDPI AG, 2018Co-Authors: Yu-ryong Yoon, Kyeongmin Kwak, Dongmug Kang, Yeyong Choi, Kanwoo Youn, Jinwook Bahk, Domyung PaekAbstract:In 2009, Asbestos was finally banned in Korea, about 70 years after the first opening of Asbestos Mines under Japanese control. After having presented the history of Asbestos industry, together with its regulations and health effects over time, we constructed narrative analyses of how the Asbestos issue under the prevailing risk system was managed by whom and for what purpose, to provide context for the change. We could identify five different phases: laissez-faire, politico-technical, economic–managerial, health-oriented cultural, and human rights-based post-cultural risk systems. The changes leading to the Asbestos ban evolved over different phases, and each phase change was necessary to reach the final ban, in that, without resolving the previous issues by examining different categories of potential alternatives, either the final ban was not possible or, even if instituted, could not be sustained. An Asbestos ban could be introduced when all the alternatives to these issues, including legitimate political windows, economic rationalizations, health risk protections, and human rights sensitivities, were available. We think the alternatives that we had were not in perfect shape, but in more or less loosely connected forms, and hence we had to know how to build solidarities between different stakeholders to compensate for the imperfections
Jill Murray - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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compensation for environmental Asbestos related diseases in south africa a neglected issue
Global Health Action, 2013Co-Authors: Ntombizodwa Ndlovu, Jim Tewater Naude, Jill MurrayAbstract:Background : Environmentally acquired Asbestos-related diseases (ARDs) are of concern globally. In South Africa, there is widespread contamination of the environment due to historical Asbestos mining operations that were poorly regulated. Although the law makes provision for the compensation of occupationally acquired ARDs, compensation for environmentally acquired ARDs is only available through the Asbestos Relief Trust (ART) and Kgalagadi Relief Trust, both of which are administered by the ART. This study assessed ARDs and compensation outcomes of environmental claims submitted to the Trusts. Methods : The personal details, medical diagnoses, and exposure information of all environmental claims considered by the Trusts from their inception in 2003 to April 2010 were used to calculate the numbers and proportions of ARDs and compensation awards. Results : There were 146 environmental claimants of whom 35 (23.9%) had fibrotic pleural disease, 1 (0.7%) had lung cancer, and 77 (52.7%) had malignant mesothelioma. 53 (36.3%) claimants were compensated: 20 with fibrotic pleural disease and 33 with mesothelioma. Of the 93 (63.7%) claimants who were not compensated, 33 had no ARDs, 18 had fibrotic pleural disease, 1 had lung cancer, and 44 had mesothelioma. In addition to having ARDs, those that were compensated had qualifying domestic (33; 62.2%) or neighbourhood (20; 37.8%) exposures to Asbestos. Most of the claimants who were not compensated had ARDs but their exposures did not meet the Trusts’ exposure criteria. Conclusions : This study demonstrates the environmental impact of Asbestos mining on the burden of ARDs. Mesothelioma was the most common disease diagnosed, but most cases were not compensated. This highlights that there is little redress for individuals with environmentally acquired ARDs in South Africa. To stop this ARD epidemic, there is a need for the rehabilitation of abandoned Asbestos Mines and the environment. These issues may not be unique to South Africa as many countries continue to mine and use Asbestos. Keywords : domestic exposure; neighbourhood exposure; pleural plaques; pleural thickening; mesothelioma; South Africa (Published: 24 January 2013) Citation: Glob Health Action 2013, 6 : 19410 - http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/gha.v6i0.19410
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Compensation for environmental Asbestos-related diseases in South Africa: a neglected issue
Taylor & Francis Group, 2013Co-Authors: Ntombizodwa Ndlovu, Jim Tewater Naude, Jill MurrayAbstract:Background: Environmentally acquired Asbestos-related diseases (ARDs) are of concern globally. In South Africa, there is widespread contamination of the environment due to historical Asbestos mining operations that were poorly regulated. Although the law makes provision for the compensation of occupationally acquired ARDs, compensation for environmentally acquired ARDs is only available through the Asbestos Relief Trust (ART) and Kgalagadi Relief Trust, both of which are administered by the ART. This study assessed ARDs and compensation outcomes of environmental claims submitted to the Trusts. Methods: The personal details, medical diagnoses, and exposure information of all environmental claims considered by the Trusts from their inception in 2003 to April 2010 were used to calculate the numbers and proportions of ARDs and compensation awards. Results: There were 146 environmental claimants of whom 35 (23.9%) had fibrotic pleural disease, 1 (0.7%) had lung cancer, and 77 (52.7%) had malignant mesothelioma. 53 (36.3%) claimants were compensated: 20 with fibrotic pleural disease and 33 with mesothelioma. Of the 93 (63.7%) claimants who were not compensated, 33 had no ARDs, 18 had fibrotic pleural disease, 1 had lung cancer, and 44 had mesothelioma. In addition to having ARDs, those that were compensated had qualifying domestic (33; 62.2%) or neighbourhood (20; 37.8%) exposures to Asbestos. Most of the claimants who were not compensated had ARDs but their exposures did not meet the Trusts’ exposure criteria. Conclusions: This study demonstrates the environmental impact of Asbestos mining on the burden of ARDs. Mesothelioma was the most common disease diagnosed, but most cases were not compensated. This highlights that there is little redress for individuals with environmentally acquired ARDs in South Africa. To stop this ARD epidemic, there is a need for the rehabilitation of abandoned Asbestos Mines and the environment. These issues may not be unique to South Africa as many countries continue to mine and use Asbestos
Geoffrey Tweedale - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Double standards: the multinational Asbestos industry and Asbestos-related disease in South Africa.
International Journal of Health Services, 2004Co-Authors: Jock Mcculloch, Geoffrey TweedaleAbstract:This study documents and contrasts the development of knowledge about Asbestos-related disease (ARD) in South Africa and the United Kingdom. It also contributes to the globalization debate by exploring corporate decision-making in a multinational industry. Between the 1930s and 1960s, the leading U.K. Asbestos companies developed a sophisticated knowledge of ARD, though in South Africa, where the leading companies such as Turner & Newall and Cape Asbestos owned Mines, there was little attempt to apply this knowledge. Asbestos Mines (and their environments) in South Africa were uniquely dusty and ARD was rife. Social and political factors in South Africa, especially apartheid, allowed these companies to apply double standards, even after 1960 when the much more serious hazard of mesothelioma was identified. This shows the need for greater regulation of multinationals. Because of the lack of such regulation in the early 1960s, an opportunity was lost to prevent the current high morbidity and mortality of ARD both in South Africa and worldwide.
Soon-hee Jung - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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CT Characteristics of Pleural Plaques Related to Occupational or Environmental Asbestos Exposure from South Korean Asbestos Mines
2016Co-Authors: Yookyung Kim, Jun-pyo Myong, Jeong Kyong Lee, Jeung Sook Kim, Yoon Kyung Kim, Soon-hee JungAbstract:Objective: This study evaluated the CT characteristics of pleural plaques in Asbestos-exposed individuals and compared occupational versus environmental exposure groups. Materials and Methods: This study enrolled 181 subjects with occupational exposure and 98 with environmental exposure from chrysotile Asbestos Mines, who had pleural plaques confirmed by a chest CT. The CT scans were analyzed for morphological characteristics, the number and distribution of pleural plaques and combined pulmonary fibrosis. Furthermore, the CT findings were compared between the occupational and environmental exposure groups. Results: Concerning the 279 subjects, the pleural plaques were single in 2.2 % and unilateral in 3.6%, and showed variable widths (range, 1–20 mm; mean, 5.4 ± 2.7 mm) and lengths (5–310 mm; 72.6 ± 54.8 mm). The chest wall was the most commonly involved (98.6%), with an upper predominance on the ventral side (upper, 77.8 % vs. lower, 55.9%, p < 0.001) and a lower predominance on the dorsal side (upper, 74.9 % vs. lower, 91.8%, p = 0.02). Diaphragmatic involvement (78.1%) showed a right-side predominance (right, 73.8 % vs. left, 55.6%, p < 0.001), whereas mediastinal plaques (42.7%) were more frequent on the left (right, 17.6 % vs. left, 39.4%, p < 0.001). The extent and maximum length of plaques, and presence and severity of combined Asbestosis, were significantly higher in the occupational exposure group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Pleural plaques in Asbestos-exposed individuals are variable in number and size; and show a predominan
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ct characteristics of pleural plaques related to occupational or environmental Asbestos exposure from south korean Asbestos Mines
Korean Journal of Radiology, 2015Co-Authors: Yookyung Kim, Jun-pyo Myong, Jeong Kyong Lee, Jeung Sook Kim, Yoon Kyung Kim, Soon-hee JungAbstract:This study evaluated the CT characteristics of pleural plaques in Asbestos-exposed individuals and compared occupational versus environmental exposure groups.This study enrolled 181 subjects with occupational exposure and 98 with environmental exposure from chrysotile Asbestos Mines, who had pleural plaques confirmed by a chest CT. The CT scans were analyzed for morphological characteristics, the number and distribution of pleural plaques and combined pulmonary fibrosis. Furthermore, the CT findings were compared between the occupational and environmental exposure groups.Concerning the 279 subjects, the pleural plaques were single in 2.2% and unilateral in 3.6%, and showed variable widths (range, 1-20 mm; mean, 5.4 ± 2.7 mm) and lengths (5-310 mm; 72.6 ± 54.8 mm). The chest wall was the most commonly involved (98.6%), with an upper predominance on the ventral side (upper, 77.8% vs. lower, 55.9%, p < 0.001) and a lower predominance on the dorsal side (upper, 74.9% vs. lower, 91.8%, p = 0.02). Diaphragmatic involvement (78.1%) showed a right-side predominance (right, 73.8% vs. left, 55.6%, p < 0.001), whereas mediastinal plaques (42.7%) were more frequent on the left (right, 17.6% vs. left, 39.4%, p < 0.001). The extent and maximum length of plaques, and presence and severity of combined Asbestosis, were significantly higher in the occupational exposure group (p < 0.05).Pleural plaques in Asbestos-exposed individuals are variable in number and size; and show a predominant distribution in the upper ventral and lower dorsal chest walls, right diaphragm, and left mediastinum. Asbestos mine workers have a higher extent of plaques and pulmonary fibrosis versus environmentally exposed individuals.
Seyeong Kim - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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activity based exposure levels and cancer risk assessment due to naturally occurring Asbestos for the residents near abandoned Asbestos Mines in south korea
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2021Co-Authors: Seungho Lee, Dongmug Kang, Youngki Kim, Yoonji Kim, Seyeong KimAbstract: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.
