ABAN2013
November 23, 2013
Launch of Asbestos Research Group for
Comprehensive Measures in Japan
Takehiko Murayama
Change of cumulative consumption
Cummulative Consumption [10000 tons]
3000
US
2500
2000
1500
Japan
1000
Germany
UK
Italy
France
Australia
500
0
1920
1930
1940
1950
1960
1970
1980
1990
2000
Calculated based on the data of USGS (2003)
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
1600
1400
1200
1000
800
600
400
200
0
Change of Mesothelioma deaths in Japan
Nov. 3, 2013
Mainichi Newspaper
4
Fig.2 Annual change of asbestos consumption in Japan
(Source: data from import statistics of the Ministry of Finance and Japan
Asbestos Association (2003))
Background and Purpose
• Research group on mesothelioma since 1993
– Mainly medical doctors
– Annual meeting
• Collaboration with other various fields to implement
comprehensive measures including building materials
• Insufficient information sharing among different fields
on asbestos issues
• Inter-disciplinary research activities so as to contribute
actual measures
6
Expected activities and research fields
• Main activities
– Annual meeting
– Information sharing with social media
– Model: Jonson conference in the US
• Possible research fields
– Medical issues
– Investigation, analysis and maintenance of buildings
– Removal and waste management
– Policy, History and social issues
7
The first meeting
• Date: January 26-27, 2013
• Venue: Tokyo Institute of Technology
• Participants: about 140
8
Composition of participants
Construction
companies
Survey & anaslysis
Removal
contractors
academia
Lawyers
Consultants
NPOs
Media
Officials of National and local govs 9
Topics of keynote talks
• Asbestos in view of mineralogy and
definition of asbestos
• Way of thinking on risk
• Asbestos issue as a toxic substance
management
• Necessity of inter-disciplinary research
for comprehensive measures
10
Impact to occupational environment
Use & Maintenance
Products
Materials
Construction
Insulation
Mine
Textile
Products
Frictions
Motor
Vehicle
Use of
products
Vehicle
operation
O&M of
vehicle
Impact to Non-occupational environment
Demolition
Waste & Recycle
Construction
O&M
of building
Sub topic (1)
• Asbestos related diseases and risk evaluation
– Diagnosis
– Meta-analysis of epidemiological studies on lung
cancer
• Survey and analysis
– Asbestos investigator of buildings authorized by
national government
– Analysis of asbestos in building materials
• Maintenance and removal
– Issues on removal measures
– Measurement of contamination during demolition
12
Sub Topic (2)
• Waste
– TEM analysis of asbestos on thermal processing of
asbestos materials
– Current situation and issues of waste
management
• Activities of national government on
waste management
– Waste management by Ministry of the
Environment
13
Sub topic (3)
• Earthquake
– Hanshin-Awaji in 1995
– Great East Japan in 2011
• Activities of local governments
– Chiyoda ward of Tokyo
– Amagasaki City
14
Sab topic (4)
• Policy issues
– Current situation and issues on policies of national
and local governments
– Overseas surveys
• Historical reviews on asbestos issues
– History on Japanese industries
– Composition of members of committees on
asbestos issues
– Role of Japan Asbestos Association
15
Def. of asbestos
Measurement
Non-occupational
Exposure
Medical check
Contamination
Policy
implementation
(National, Local)
Risk evaluation
Monitoring &
measures
Mining
Production
Use
Waste
Earthquake
Historical review
Identification of victims, Compensation and Litigation
Future environmental impacts
Foreign countries (advanced, Rising, Developing )
Occupational
Exposure
17
18
Lessons from the 1st meeting and
challenges for the future activities
• Too many topics to discuss for two days
• Relationship with stakeholders such as
governments and private companies
conducting abatement measures
• International collaboration
-> the 2nd meeting on Feb. 1st and 2nd, 2014
19
Website of this group
http://www.tm.depe.titech.ac.jp/Asbestos
_Research_Group/index.html
20
Ratio the number of mesothelioma between 2011 and 2012
Male
Female
22
発起人・運営委員
• 発起人
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
淡路剛久（立教大学名誉教授、環境法）
井内康輝（広島大学名誉教授、病理学）
宇野泰章（名古屋工業大学名誉教授、鉱物学）
酒井伸一（京都大学教授、廃棄物関係）
宮本憲一（大阪市立大学名誉教授、環境政策）
村山武彦（東京工業大学教授、リスク管理論)
森田昌敏（愛媛大学客員教授、化学物質管理）
• 運営委員
–
–
–
–
–
–
石原一彦（立命館大学、建築学）
貴田晶子（愛媛大学、廃棄物管理）
小坂浩（元兵庫県健康環境化学研究センター、大気汚染防止）
寺園淳（国立環境研究所、震災・廃棄物管理）
森裕之（立命館大学、公共政策）
山本貴士（国立環境研究所、資源環境）
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