농어촌지역 슬레이트지붕의 실태와 대책방향

Abstract

한 때 ‘신비의 광물’로 각광받았던 석면이 인체에 유해한 발암물질이란 사실이 알려지면서 농어촌지역에 광범위하게 존재하는 석면슬레이트주택이 사회문제로 대두되고 있다. 석면은 내열, 내마모성, 단열성 등의 장점과 저렴한 가격 때문에 1970년대 새마을운동을 하면서 건축자재로 널리 이용되었다. 하지만 시간이 흐름에 따라 풍화작용으로 슬레이트가 부식되면서 석면가루가 날리게 되었고, 이것이 건강에 해롭다는 이유로 2009년부터는 사용을 전면 금지하고 전문업체만 슬레이트건물을 해체하거나 철거하도록 규제하고 있다. 환경부가 농가주택(본채)의 37.9%가 석면슬레이트로 되어 있고 이것이 인체에 해롭다는 사실을 발표(2009.4)하면서 같은 해 정부는 석면처리종합대책을 통해 석면슬레이트를 처리하는 데 농어촌주거환경개선사업을 우선 지원하겠다고 밝혔다. 하지만 대부분의 슬레이트주택 거주자는 영세고령자나 독거노인 등 취약계층으로 기존의 정책수단으로는 문제해결이 어렵다는 한계가 있다. 이 연구는 농어촌지역 슬레이트건물의 실태를 파악하고, 관련정책의 추진과정의 문제를 살펴봄으로써 농어촌지역 주거환경개선의 방향을 모색하는 데 연구목적이 있다.

The purpose of this study was to explore the current situation and countermeasures to the asbestos-slate-roof problem in rural Korea. According to the Ministry of Environment, the share of asbestos slate roof occupies 38percent of total rural residents' houses and the asbestos slate includes about 10∼15percent of asbestos which is well known as a class one carcinogen. The Korean government provides favorable incentives to the residents who want slate-house remodeling with a long-term house loan program while surveys the real situation of asbestos-slate-roof houses in terms of age, usage, and residents. However, this program does not fit very well because most residents of asbestos-slate-roof houses are very old and poor, and do not have any intention to remodel their house any more. Based on the research results, the followings are recommended as major countermeasures: (1) Conduct a comprehensive survey of the real situation of the asbestos-slate-roof houses and develop a master plan to deal with related issues. Since asbestos is a toxic substance and most residents of asbestos roof houses belong to a neglected social class, government support is necessary for removal and replacement of asbestos slate roof. (2) Advertise to warn the people how hazardous asbestos is, and provide education on how to handle asbestos-slate-roof materials. This education may reduce the unnecessary fear which may be caused by the misunderstanding of the asbestos slate and help reduce the cost of removing the asbestos slate by themselves. Designation of waste collection sites near rural centers and proper education of how to handle the asbestos slate with an instruction manual are useful ways of reducing the cost of replacing the asbestos slate roof. (3) Modify the asbestos-related administrative systems which are operated by the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry for Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs, the Ministry of Health and Welfare, and the Ministry of Public Administration and Security, and legislate laws for supporting the replacement of asbestos slate roof.

Researchers: Dong-Phil Lee, Kyeong-Hwan Choi, and Heo Joo-Nyung, Min-Soo Lee Research period: 2010. 4. ∼ 2010. 6. E-mail address: ldphil@krei.re.kr