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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

Author

Listed:
  • Kyeongmin Kwak

    (Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Korea University Ansan Hospital, Ansan 15355, Korea)

  • Kyung Ehi Zoh

    (Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea)

  • Domyung Paek

    (Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
    Institute of Health and Environment, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Kyeongmin Kwak & Kyung Ehi Zoh & Domyung Paek, 2021. "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," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(3), pages 1-15, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:3:p:875-:d:483825
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Kathleen Mahoney & Tim Driscoll & Julia Collins & Justine Ross, 2023. "The Past, Present and Future of Asbestos-Related Diseases in Australia: What Are the Data Telling Us?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-12, May.
    2. Eun-A Kim, 2021. "Standardized Incidence Ratio and Standardized Mortality Ratio of Malignant Mesothelioma in a Worker Cohort Using Employment Insurance Database in Korea," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(20), pages 1-13, October.
    3. Seungho Lee & Dongmug Kang & Youngki Kim & Yoon-Ji Kim & Se-Yeong Kim, 2021. "Activity-Based Exposure Levels and Cancer Risk Assessment Due to Naturally Occurring Asbestos for the Residents Near Abandoned Asbestos Mines in South Korea," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(10), pages 1-12, May.

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