The Rise and Fall of The Rise and Fall of Asbestos Industry and Its Asbestos Industry and Its Repercussions in KoreaRepercussions in Korea

Domyung PaekDomyung PaekSeoul National UniversitySeoul National University

KoreaKorea

BackgroundsBackgrounds• The change in asbestos consumption, first

a steady rise to reach a plateau and then a sudden fall, is not a random process.

• It reflects the interplay of economics, administrative policy and politics.

• To understand what or who has contributed to the increase or decrease in the consumption of asbestos should be a crucial step for any country in setting her future administrative policies and resolving un-necessary political disputes.

OutlinesOutlines• Phases of change over the period

– Rise, Plateau, Fall– Landmark points

• Key role players in each phase– Economic situation, Administrative

policy, and Politics of health and safety – Voices and contributions

• Repercussions– Trends of asbestos-related cancers

Asbestos Mining and Import, Korea

0

2,000

4,000

6,000

8,000

10,000

12,000

14,000

16,000

18,000

0

20000

40000

60000

80000

100000

120000

Mining Import

Phases of ChangePhases of Change

EXPANSIOEXPANSIONN

FALLFALLPLATEAPLATEAUU

Key EventsKey EventsAsbestos Consumption in Korea and Japan

0

50,000

100,000

150,000

200,000

250,000

300,000

350,000

400,000

0

2,000

4,000

6,000

8,000

10,000

12,000

14,000

16,000

18,000

Import to Japan Mining in Korea

Industrial Industrial Safety and Safety and Health Act of Health Act of Japan, 1972Japan, 1972

Industrial Industrial Safety and Safety and

Health Act of Health Act of Korea, 1981Korea, 1981

Asbestos imports to Japan and Korea

0

50,000

100,000

150,000

200,000

250,000

300,000

350,000

400,000

Year

ton

Import to J apan Import to Korea

352,316(1974)

79,463(2001)

44,146(1939)

320,393(1988)

Asbestos imports to Japan and Korea

0

50,000

100,000

150,000

200,000

250,000

300,000

350,000

400,000

Year

ton

Import to J apan Import to Korea

352,316(1974)

79,463(2001)

44,146(1939)

320,393(1988)

First Mesothelioma Case in J apan (1978)

First Mesothelioma Case in Korea (1994)

Second Mesothelioma Case in J apan (1984)

Asbestos Mining and Import, Korea

0

2,000

4,000

6,000

8,000

10,000

12,000

14,000

16,000

18,000

0

20000

40000

60000

80000

100000

120000

Mining Import

Phases of ChangePhases of Change

EXPANSIOEXPANSIONN

FALLFALLPLATEAPLATEAUU

Industrial Industrial Safety and Safety and Health Act of Health Act of Korea, 1981Korea, 1981

First Mesothelioma First Mesothelioma Case in Korea, 199Case in Korea, 19944

Expansion Phase (1960-Expansion Phase (1960-1982)1982)

• Economy– Foreign Investment, especially Japan

and Germany– Stimulation of Construction,

Manufacturing Industries• Administration

– No active regulation• Politics of Health and Safety

– Absent

Plateau Phase (1983-1995)Plateau Phase (1983-1995)• Economy

– Shift to high quality asbestos products

• Administration– Regulatory measures installed

• Politics of Health and Safety– Not a social issue yet

Fall Phase (1996-Present)Fall Phase (1996-Present)• Economy

– Transfer of asbestos industry to China and Southeast Asia

• Administration– Active regulation

• Politics of Health and Safety– After the identification of first asbestos

victim, compensation has become a issue

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006

Asbestos- related Cancers in Korea

Lung Cancer, Comp Lung Cancer, Not-CompMesothelioma, Comp Mesothelioma, Not-Comp

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

AsbestosProduct

ConstructionWorker

MaintenanceWorker

Mechanic Plumber Welder Potter+Quarry etc.

Occupations of Asbestos- related Cancers

Compensated Not-Compensated

불인정 인정

Compensation

0

10

20

30

40Exposure

_Period

Disease악성중피폐

폐암 불

Asbestos Exposure History among MesAsbestos Exposure History among Mesothelioma of General Populationothelioma of General Population

• Kim CB, Jung SH, Lee KJ, Kang JD. Survival analysis of hospitalized mesothelioma patients. Korean J Preventive Medicine 23(1): 77-86; 1990

• Myungchai Na. A study on mesothelioma and asbestos exposure. MPH thesis, Seoul National University, School of Public Health. 1994

• Malignant mesothelioma surveillance system in Korea. Korean J Occp Environ Medicine. 2006

5%8%

17%

44%

33%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

45%

1977-1987 1990-1993 2004-2005

Asbestos Exposure History amongMesothelioma of General Population

Occupational Exposures Environmental Exposures

Expansion Phase

ShrinkagePhase

PlateauPhase

Source

Exposure

Effect

Action

Repercussions

Foreign Investment

AdministrativeRegulation Asbestos

Ban

Source, Exposure, Effect, and Action Source, Exposure, Effect, and Action (SEEA) Model of Asbestos Industry(SEEA) Model of Asbestos Industry

No to Asbestos and its No to Asbestos and its ProductsProducts

Before Too Late !!Before Too Late !!