A Study on the Asbestos Risk Assessment with Usage of Building

Asbestos collectively refers to a set of naturally existing silicate minerals with fibrous structures, and is a natural mineral in fibrous forms that was originally serpentines or amphiboles. Because of its properties such as resistance to heat, chemical resistance and corrosion; tensile strength; sound absorption; and affordable prices, it had been widely used as building materials, fire resistant and retardant, thermal and heat insulation, sound absorbent, and electrical insulation. Since the prolonged inhalation of asbestos can cause serious illnesses such as lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis after an incubation period of 20 to 40 years, the mineral was classified as Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. In Korea, asbestos-containing construction materials had been widely used until asbestos was added to the hazardous substance requiring permission for use by the Occupational Safety and Health Act, and use of asbestos was totally banned in February 2009. This survey was conducted with 45 buildings to assess asbestos-containing materials used by usage of building. It was found that asbestos-containing construction materials were used in 27 buildings out of 45 buildings surveyed.