Exportation of hazardous material from developed country to developing country, case study

Introduction:  Using the example of the transplantation of the asbestos industry from Japan to South Korea, this study explores the “exportation” of the asbestos industry and associated asbestos hazards and harm. Asbestos industry workers have an exceptionally high risk of exposure to asbestos dust, and in reality the incidence of asbestos-related diseases has been higher among such workers. When facing stiffer regulations around 1970, members of the Japanese asbestos industry began moving their operations offshore to South Korea, and were therefore involved in the expansion of the asbestos industry as well as incidents of asbestos exposure and harm in that country.    

Methods:  It sheds light on the history of asbestos industry relations between Japan and South Korea, and drawing from that study, then explores the transfer or “exportation” of the industry’s manufacturing processes, and the accompanying health problems associated with asbestos exposure by historical records. As case study, it surveyed three asbestos companies from Japan to South Korea.    

Results:  The manufacture of asbestos products has frequently been cited as a classic case of an industry where regulations affecting the workplace environment were easily applied, and the exportation of polluting processes was readily pursued. On this case study, the exportation of asbestos disaster was observed.    

Discussion:  The historical pattern of mass asbestos consumption began with enthusiastic levels of utilization in the West. That pattern spread to Japan, and from there to South Korea and other developing countries. Levels of asbestos consumption continue to trace an upward trend in other developing countries that are still moving through various stages of economic growth. For prevention of asbestos injury, we promote a shared societal awareness of asbestos risk and appropriate public policies at the international level.