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ToxinFree
SENTINEL ARCHIVE / CASE #166

South Korea

Complete ban on all asbestos effective January 1, 2009 under amendments to the Industrial Safety and Health Act. Asbestos Safety Management Act enacted in 2011.

2009Full Ban
2009
Year Banned
4.3
per million/yr
Mesothelioma Rate
~200,000 buildings
Buildings at Risk
1970s-2000s
Peak Usage Era

Regulatory Timeline

  1. 1990s

    1. 1990Regulation

      Occupational Safety and Health Act sets first asbestos exposure limits for workers

      ↗ Source
    2. 1997Legislation

      Crocidolite and amosite banned; restrictions on chrysotile significantly tightened

      ↗ Source

  2. 2000s

    1. 2007Regulation

      Government announces full phase-out timeline for all remaining chrysotile asbestos uses

      ↗ Source
    2. 2009Legislation

      Complete ban on all asbestos products effective January 1, 2009

      ↗ Source

  3. 2010s

    1. 2011Regulation

      Asbestos Safety Management Act establishes national registry of asbestos-containing buildings

      ↗ Source

Key Figures in Detail

Context and sources behind the numbers

2009Ban Year

All forms of asbestos have been banned since 2009. Buildings constructed before this date may still contain asbestos materials.

4.3Mesothelioma Rate

4.3 cases per million people per year. Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer caused almost exclusively by asbestos exposure, with a latency period of 20–50 years.

A lower rate, though any mesothelioma cases indicate past asbestos exposure.

Source year: 2020

Buildings at Risk

Estimated scope of asbestos-containing materials still present in the built environment.

~200,000 buildings

1970s-2000sPeak Usage Era

The period when asbestos was most heavily used in construction. Buildings from this era have the highest probability of containing asbestos materials.

Material Identification Guide

Common materials still present in buildings

asbestos-cement flat sheets

HIGH RISKNon-friable

1930–2000

asbestos-cement roofing sheets

HIGH RISKNon-friable

1930–2000

brake linings

HIGH RISKFriable

1920–2000

friction materials

HIGH RISKFriable

1920–2000

pipe insulation

HIGH RISKFriable

1920–1980

↗Learn more

What To Do If You Live Here

  • Your country has banned asbestos, but older buildings may still contain legacy materials.
  • Buildings built before the ban year may contain asbestos-containing materials.
  • Hire a certified asbestos surveyor before any renovation or demolition work.
  • Do not disturb older building materials without professional testing.

Check Your Property

Enter your building's age and type for a personalized asbestos risk assessment.

Check My Property's Risk

Sources

Last updated: 2026-03-13

Information aggregated from public sources including IBAS, EPA, and WHO. Not legal or medical advice.

How we source our data →