The Korea Times close
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to President
  • Letter to the Editor
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
Entertainment
& Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
Sports
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
Video
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Fri, May 20, 2022 | 09:59
Asbestos at Closed Mine Caused Lung Diseases
Posted : 2009-06-12 17:49
Updated : 2009-06-12 17:49
Print Preview
Font Size Up
Font Size Down

Hongseong residents’ representative Jeong Ji-yeol points to where the now-closed asbestos mine operated in South Chungcheong Province, Friday. The “cliff” was made by years of industrial explosions. / Yonhap

By Bae Ji-sook
Staff Reporter

The government confirmed Friday that nearly one in two residents living in Hongseong and Boryeong near a closed mine in South Chungcheong Province contracted various lung diseases apparently caused by inhaling asbestos.

Of 215 sampled residents it checked, a total of 110 had lung diseases, the Ministry of Environment said.

Of them, 55 were diagnosed with pneumoconiosis, which can develop into lung cancer. Eighty-seven were suffering from thickened pleura. The residents asked the government to conduct health checkups on all other people living nearby.

``It is highly likely that residents' health was affected as they were exposed to asbestos due to operations at the mine,'' the ministry said in a statement. ``But after the mine was closed, asbestos was rarely found in the air, therefore it's difficult to jump to the conclusion that asbestos-contaminated earth caused diseases.''

Asbestos has affected both miners and non-miners, the government said. Asbestos is known to cause respiratory diseases such as asbestosis and lung cancer and is a government designated grade-one carcinogen.



It is now banned in many countries from use at constructions and some others. Japan has compensated patients with lung cancer caused by asbestos.

The mine in Hongseong used to be the largest in Asia during the Japanese colonial rule (1910-1945). The facility was closed in 1983, but residents claim that asbestos from the mine has and is putting their health at great risk. They said elderly relatives, who have already passed away, always complained about chest pains, breathing problems and others, and blamed the mine.

Jeong Ji-yeol, a representative of the residents, was quoted by a local daily as saying, ``I, too, suffer from various disease possibly caused by asbestos. I cannot get away with cold for more than six months; and suffer from a soar throat and others. The doctors told me that I could eventually get pulmonary emphysema.''

South Chungcheong provincial government is conducting research on 3,700 residents, and the results are expected to trigger mass compensation lawsuits.

On the other hand, the ministry said the same research on residents near a factory using asbestos in the port city Busan showed no significant relevance between the substance and disease ― one person was diagnosed with asbestosis.

Still, it has managed to detect small amount of asbestos from soil within 2 kilometers of the mine and factory, and said it will come up with ``comprehensive management guidelines'' and a compensation plan for victims.

bjs@koreatimes.co.kr
 
  • People in North Korea trapped in famine and pandemic [PHOTOS]
  • Korea to resume issuing short-term travel visas, e-visas next month
  • Why doctors oppose Nursing Act legislation
  • KBO commissioner proposes holding season openers, regular games in US in meeting with MLB official
  • Huge fire erupts at S-Oil's Ulsan factory
  • Luna fiasco escalates into class action by victims
  • Consumers alarmed by high sodium, saturated fat in meal-kits
  • Black Eagles seek to show ROK Air Force's prowess in England
  • US denial of Biden-Moon meeting triggers speculation
  • Small Seoul temple becomes beacon for religious harmony
  • PSY's first boy group TNX makes much-anticipated debut with EP 'Way Up' PSY's first boy group TNX makes much-anticipated debut with EP 'Way Up'
  • MBC's 'Tomorrow' denies intentional use of BTS members' name, birthdates MBC's 'Tomorrow' denies intentional use of BTS members' name, birthdates
  • [INTERVIEW] Son Suk-ku portrays different villain in 'The Roundup' [INTERVIEW] Son Suk-ku portrays different villain in 'The Roundup'
  • Sequels to hit Korean films await theatrical release this year Sequels to hit Korean films await theatrical release this year
  • Kim Sae-ron apologizes for her alleged DUI incident Kim Sae-ron apologizes for her alleged DUI incident
DARKROOM
  • People in North Korea trapped in famine and pandemic [PHOTOS]

    People in North Korea trapped in famine and pandemic [PHOTOS]

  • 2022 Pulitzer Prize: Bearing witness to history

    2022 Pulitzer Prize: Bearing witness to history

  • Worsening drought puts millions at risk

    Worsening drought puts millions at risk

  • Our children deserve the best

    Our children deserve the best

  • End of mask mandates

    End of mask mandates

The Korea Times
CEO & Publisher : Oh Young-jin
Digital News Email : webmaster@koreatimes.co.kr
Tel : 02-724-2114
Online newspaper registration No : 서울,아52844
Date of registration : 2020.02.05
Masthead : The Korea Times
Copyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.
  • About Us
  • Introduction
  • History
  • Location
  • Media Kit
  • Contact Us
  • Products & Service
  • Subscribe
  • E-paper
  • Mobile Service
  • RSS Service
  • Content Sales
  • Policy
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • 고충처리인
  • Youth Protection Policy
  • Code of Ethics
  • Copyright Policy
  • Family Site
  • Hankook Ilbo
  • Dongwha Group