|  | Public Health Safety | Environmental Health

Causes of Airborne Asbestos

There was a time when asbestos was mined to use primarily as insulation. Because it was so versatile, it was used in concrete, bricks, pipes and fireplace cement, acid-resistant gaskets, pipe insulation, brake pads, fireproof drywall, flooring, roofing, and drywall joint compound.

Even some cigarette filters were made of asbestos in the 1950s.

It wasn't until the late 20th Century that the harmful effects of asbestos exposure were taken seriously. Terminal diseases like mesothelioma can be linked directly to exposure to asbestos.

  1. Asbestos Mining

    • The mining of asbestos is one of the worst causes of airborne particles. Mining was originally done in open pits in a series of terraced landings that were exposed to the elements. The asbestos-containing ore was blasted to allow collection, spreading asbestos dust throughout the vicinity of the mine and surrounding areas.

    Asbestos Removal

    • Asbestos removal also is responsible for airborne asbestos. If removal is done by inexperienced workers, microscopic particles of asbestos can be freed and be carried away by air currents. Even when performed by experts, most methods still allow some debris to become free. To date, the best-known removal method is thought to be to soak the material thoroughly with water causing it to clump. This keeps particles from escaping.

    Demolition

    • Demolition projects require asbestos be removed from the building before the building is destroyed. There is always the likelihood that particles remain and can become airborne.

      The Sept.11, 2001 terrorist attack that destroyed Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City released an estimated 1,000 tons of asbestos into Manhattan. Many of those who worked the recovery project at Ground Zero are now complaining of respiratory diseases associated with the toxic dust that coated Lower Manhattan for weeks.

    Environmental

    • Asbestos deposits that haven't yet been mined can become airborne because of geological erosion, shifting and settling of the soil and extreme weather conditions. The health risks of naturally occurring asbestos have not been fully determined.

Environmental Health - Related Articles