The total dust concentration and the particle size distribution were determined around die sites of demolition associated with the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, which occurred on January 17, 1995. The total dust concentrations ranged from 0.20 to 0.23 mg/m(3), being about 1.2 to 2.2 times that in die non-demolition area, and intermediate particles (2.1-11.0μm) made up a large proportion of the dust. The dust concentrations were not influenced by the weather on the day preceding measurement around the sites of demolition of concrete buildings, whereas the values decreased to about half around die sites of demolition of wooden buildings, nearly the same concentration in the control areas, when it had rained on the previous day. The dust concentrations increased compared with that in an average year but to The degree of die upper limit of die environmental standard (1 hr-value<0.20 mg/m(3)) . The dust due to the smoke of Mt. Sakurajima in the surrounding areas accounted for a higher proportion of large particles (<11.0>m) than in the earthquake-devastated area. The concentration of respirable dust (<;7.07>m) in a worker engaged in demolition was 4.0 mg/m(3), being twice the recommended concentration (2 mg/m(3)) of the Japan Society for Occupational Health. It was thus considered that workers should use a respiratory protective device.
Keywords: Hanshin-Awaji earthquake; airborne particle; demolition; particle size; weather.