SEOUL, Jan. 16 (Korea Bizwire) — The Ministry of Environment announced on January 15 that it has revised guidelines to extend government support for the removal of asbestos-containing slate roofing to small facilities serving the elderly and children.
Slate roofing materials, which were widely used in the 1960s and 1970s, contain 10-15% asbestos, a Class 1 carcinogen, making their removal an urgent public health priority.
The revised guidelines now include “elderly and child care facilities” as defined by building laws among the “non-residential buildings under 200 square meters” eligible for government support in slate removal and disposal costs.
The ministry has also eased requirements for vulnerable households. Previously, families needed to meet both demographic criteria (such as having multiple children or being a single-parent household) and income requirements. Under the new guidelines, meeting either condition qualifies them for support.
Additional provisions require local governments to ensure that slate removal contractors verify and clean up any debris within 5 meters of all four sides of the target building’s exterior walls.
The revised guidelines also recommend that local governments consider the Ministry of Employment and Labor’s safety evaluation grades when selecting contractors. They further encourage the use of eco-friendly products with environmental certification or excellent recycling ratings when renovating roofs for vulnerable households.
The Ministry of Environment plans to conduct nationwide consultations at slate removal sites this year to ensure proper disposal of the hazardous materials.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)