WIT Press


The Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake Of Japan 1995 And Asbestos Emission

Price

Free (open access)

Volume

42

Pages

10

Published

2000

Size

915 kb

Paper DOI

10.2495/AIR000571

Copyright

WIT Press

Author(s)

A. Terazono, S. Sakai & H. Takatsuki

Abstract

After The Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake that occurred in Japan in 1995, ambi- ent asbestos concentration increased widely over the stricken zone. To determine the relationship between this concentration increase and asbestos emitted from buildings, we performed measurements and researched the emission of asbestos that occurs when toppled buildings are demolished, then employed a diffusion model to examine the effects on the concentration increase. First we determined the use of sprayed-on asbestos in buildings of the earthquake zone. We also in- vestigated asbestos emission on sites where sprayed-on asbestos was used. Then we found that demolition without pre-removal caused the most concern about asbestos emissions and impacts on surrounding areas. Finall

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