they reported the issue to environmental and work-safety regulators Lead excavator Thomas Corey and his coworker Tim Sauter say they were responsible for the majority of the project’s excavation and that after months of warning their bosses about the risk of mesothelioma from the asbestos-containing debris they were finding they finally notified the South Coast Air Quality Management District the California Department of Toxic Substances and California OSHA.  Their work was part of an environmental restoration project to connect the area’s Colorado Lagoon with a lagoon in Alamitos Bay After routinely digging up asbestos-lined transite pipes the two warned their bosses of the risks of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases from the contaminated debris They were concerned for the safety of the local community as well as for themselves as they were never provided protective suits or masks they were told to ignore the cancer-causing materials then told to hide and bury them without telling local officials or experts Concerned about the potential for a public health disaster that would leave residents at risk of mesothelioma Corey and Sauter reported their concerns to local authorities and were fired shortly after Though a spokesperson for the Long Beach Public Works Department indicates they were not aware of any workers’ complaints or allegations an asbestos consultant hired by the city confirmed that the mounds of dirt that the two had been ordered to pile near a local fire station were contaminated with asbestos and so was a disposal pit filled with construction debris If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease after asbestos exposure contact the Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net today at 1-800-692-8608 The information provided by Mesothelioma.net is not a substitute for professional medical advice This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page Metrics details Asbestos exposure can induce pulmonary fibrosis known as asbestosis Although lung diffusion capacity (DL) including nitric oxide (NO) is assumed to be more sensitive than carbon monoxide (CO) its added value in assessment of pneumoconiosis has not been investigated yet 371 formerly exposed workers visiting the outpatient clinic for assessment including pulmonary function testing with DL and low-dose high resolution computed tomography between 2018 and 2021 were included Subgroups were formed depending on findings in low-dose high resolution computed tomography classified according to ICOERD Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis revealed some diagnostic accuracy for DLNO (AUC = 0.73; 95% confidence interval 0.64–0.82) and DLCO (AUC = 0.70; 95% confidence interval 0.60–0.79) regarding asbestosis DLCO and DLNO correlated strongly with a decreasing score of irregular opacities according to ICOERD (ρDLCO = − 0.87 ρDLNO = − 0.85) but DLNO was also susceptible to emphysema Although tendencies of a more sensitive detection of diffusion capacity impairment were observed DLNO was not clearly superior to DLCO in assessment of asbestosis Based on our findings and considering the lack of availability of DLNO in clinical routine DLNO does not seem to have added value for clinical assessment of formerly asbestos exposed workers Future studies should further investigate DLNO including healthy controls and confounders such as emphysema and smoking If DLNO provides a clinically relevant advantage to detect impairment in diffusion capacity due to pneumoconiosis has not been investigated yet In this study pulmonary function testing with spirometry DLCO and DLNO were conducted in formerly asbestos exposed workers enrolled in surveillance programs or visits for assessment of their occupational disease who simultaneously received a low-dose high resolution computed tomography Depending on conditions determined in low-dose high resolution computed tomography changes in DL and pulmonary function testing were compared Based on the assumption that DLNO is more sensitive to conduction changes of the alveolar capillary membrane than DLCO the hypothesis was that asbestos-related alveolar cell and basal membrane thickening could be detected earlier in DLNO than DLCO 371 male patients were included in this study Mean age was 70.7 years ± 7.45 (SD) with a range between 53 and 85 years The characteristics of patients are listed in Table 1 for overall and subgroups The subgroup ‘pleural findings’ (97 patients) included 64 patients with only parietal type of pleural abnormalities 7 patients with only visceral type of pleural abnormalities and 26 patients with both types ‘Mixed findings’ (113 patients) contained 71 patients (62.8% of mixed findings) with pleural findings and emphysema 6 patients (5.3%) with irregular opacities and emphysema and 36 patients (31.9%) with pleural findings Diffusion capacity testing (DCT) for all patients and for subgroups (C) DLNO and (D) DLNO/VA for all patients (n = 371) and subgroups ** = p < 0.01 and *** = p < 0.001 for comparison to ‘no findings’ significant relationships were found for extend of asbestosis and emphysema but not for pack years cumulative asbestos exposure (fibre years) or pleural thickening For every increase in one point of score for irregular opacities DLCO and DLNO decreased 0.02%pred and for every increase in one point of score for emphysema DLCO decreased 0.02%pred and DLNO 0.14%pred In ROC-curve analysis (Fig. 2) the area under the curve (AUC) was significantly different from 0.5 for DLCO and DLNO but not DLCO/VA and DLNO/VA (Table 5). Highest AUC was achieved for DLNO with a sensitivity of 77.27% and a specificity of 67.34%. ROC-curves for detection of asbestosis (score at least 4) Diffusion capacity in relation to irregular opacities according to ICOERD classification 6 (A) DLCO (black) and DLNO (grey) for irregular opacities all patients with emphysema with a score of at least 1 were excluded (B) DLCO/VA (black) and DLNO/VA (grey) for irregular opacities n = 224) exclusion of all patients with emphysema with a score of at least 1 (D) DLNO before (solid line n = 224) exclusion of all patients with emphysema with a score of at least 1 Mean ± SD plus simple linear regression with Pearson correlation This study is the first to report pulmonary function testing including DLCO and DLNO in individuals formerly exposed to asbestos Patients presented pulmonary function above lower limits of normal Reduced DLCO and DLNO were detected in asbestosis and emphysema while DLCO/VA and DLNO/VA were reduced only in emphysema ROC-curve analysis revealed some diagnostic accuracy for DLCO and DLNO but not DLCO/VA and DLNO/VA for detection of asbestosis DLCO and DLNO strongly correlated with decreasing score of irregular opacities according to ICOERD but the strength of correlation did not differ between DLCO and DLNO DLNO was susceptible to interference by emphysema to a similar extent in the multivariable model adjusted for relevant confounders cumulative smoking exposure (measured in pack-years) was not significantly associated with DLCO or DLNO in this study asbestosis and emphysema were significantly correlated with reductions in both DLCO and DLNO though the effect sizes were minimal and lacked clinical relevance the models accounted for only 14 and 16% of the variability in DLCO and DLNO respectively indicating that unmeasured factors likely influence diffusing capacity thereby precluding definitive conclusions from these analyses the data suggest that smoking may not have contributed to the observed reductions in diffusing capacity although the uneven distribution of smokers and pack-years across groups warrants caution in interpretation in this study the subgroup with mixed findings all patients had emphysema of all formerly asbestos exposed patients presented with emphysema Since different combinations of emphysema and asbestos-related pleural or parenchymal changes are combined the mixed findings subgroup no specific analysis or conclusion can be drawn from the results the benefit in sensitivity of DLNO regarding Dm seems to be countervailed by susceptibility for other conditions impairing primarily Dm To differentiate between conditions affecting Dm and Vc simultaneous DLCO and determination of Dm and Vc could be necessary Future large sized studies are warranted with both DLCO and DLNO covering the entire disease severity spectrum of asbestosis Reference values for DLNO are less well-established compared to those for DLCO but even here DLNO was not below lower limit of normal the hypothesis that asbestos exposure could have effects on diffusion capacity even before morphological changes that are detectable in low-dose high resolution computed tomography has to be investigated further Future studies with appropriate patient numbers should include healthy controls matched for relevant confounding factors This cross-sectional study has limitations regarding the representativeness of the study sample and the generalizability of the findings The study population consisted of patients attending scheduled examinations at an outpatient clinic between 2018 and 2021 While all participants reported prior asbestos exposure the likelihood and severity of asbestos-related changes varied between groups Some patients attended due to an officially recognized occupational disease involving asbestos-related pleural or pulmonary changes whereas others were seen for follow-up occupational health assessments without any known pathological findings the study sample may reflect a selective patient population including these diverse groups was essential to ensure the representation of both patients without asbestos-related pleural or lung alterations and those with asbestosis adequately powered longitudinal studies with robust confounder adjustment are needed to clarify the relationship between asbestosis and impairments in diffusing capacity Despite the limited availability of research on DLNO in asbestos-related diffusion capacity impairment this study offers important insights and makes a valuable contribution to the existing body of literature this was the first study to compare low-dose high resolution computed tomography Although tendencies towards more sensitive detection of diffusion capacity impairment were observed for DLNO over DLCO DLNO was not clearly superior to DLCO regarding detection and severity assessment of asbestosis DLNO was susceptible for interference due to emphysema Future studies should investigate potential benefits of including healthy controls and confounders such as emphysema and smoking to further investigate differences of DLNO and DLCO regarding detection of asbestos-related alveolar cell and basal membrane thickening This is a cross-sectional study of patients visiting the outpatient clinic of the Institute of Occupational RWTH Aachen University Hospital between September 2018 and February 2021 All patients underwent a standardized medical history and low-dose high resolution computed tomography DLNO was incorporated into clinical routine in July 2018 at the outpatient clinic and all patients visiting from that point onward underwent routine DLNO measurements All patients included in the study reported a history of asbestos exposure Patients with recognized occupational diseases presented with pleural thickening and/or asbestosis as the presence of at least one of these conditions is a prerequisite for official recognition For those undergoing assessment for a potential occupational disease referral by other physicians had suggested the possibility of such a diagnosis A total of 190 patients (51.2%) presented with either confirmed or suspected occupational disease while 181 patients (48.8%) were enrolled in surveillance programs Participants in these surveillance programs also reported asbestos exposure but exhibited no asbestos-related pleural or pulmonary changes the likelihood and severity of asbestos-related changes varied significantly between the groups the analysis presented herein includes data of the first visit of patients at the outpatient clinic between September 2018 and February 2021 Exclusion criteria were a suspected or confirmed diagnosis of lung cancer other cancers or collagen disease at the time of the visit DL or low-dose high resolution computed tomography at that date No female patients visited the outpatient clinic with former asbestos exposure during the reported time period After removal of patients with additional visits and application of the exclusion criteria 371 patients were included in data analysis The study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki and approved by the Ethics Committee at the RWTH Aachen Faculty of Medicine (EK 094 − 21) Informed consent to participate was waived by the Ethics Committee at the RWTH Aachen Faculty of Medicine for analysis of anonymous clinical routine data Group selection was based solely on low-dose high resolution computed tomography findings asbestosis or emphysema were put into the group “no findings” Patients who showed pleural findings without asbestosis or emphysema were combined in a subgroup labelled “only pleural findings ” Asbestosis patients were divided into those with a score of irregular and/or linear opacities of 2–3 or at least 4; since pleural findings and asbestosis frequently coincide additional pleural findings did not result in an exclusion from this group “Only emphysema” contains patients with emphysema without pleural findings or irregular and/or linear opacities In “mixed findings” all patients with at least two of pleural findings Placed in upright seating position with minimally extended neck nose clip and lips closed around the mouthpiece of the test device DL data were derived from a maneuver sequence incorporating a complete exhalation a breath holding period of 10 s for CO and 6 s for NO and maximum exhalation After a 4-minute pause in seated position the maneuver was repeated DL was performed twice for CO and twice for NO DL was only considered if the inspiratory volume of the maneuvers was at least 85% of vital capacity determined with spirometry All low-dose high resolution computed tomography were evaluated by one of two occupational physicians as A-reader and always the same experienced occupational physician as B-reader a radiology findings report was generated by a radiologist The presence of a score of ≥ 4 bilateral irregular opacities in the lower lung fields was assumed to be asbestosis exposure and latency were given since patients were only assigned to the outpatient clinic if both aspects were assessed and positive If alternative etiologies for pulmonary fibrosis were to be considered these would have been noted in the corresponding occupational disease procedure This was not the case for patients included in this study we concluded that all 22 patients had a sufficient diagnosis of asbestosis missing data is indicated by the number of patients included For all other tables and figures no missing data were present since the existence of those values was an inclusion criterion Asbestos exposure and asbestos associated morphological changes of the lungs and pleura were included due to reported associations with reductions in DL Differences between groups were assumed to be significant with p < 0.05 The datasets used and/or analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request regional and National incidence of pneumoconiosis caused by different aetiologies: An analysis from the global burden of disease study 2017 Latency periods in asbestos-related mesothelioma of the pleura and pathological investigation of asbestosis Asbestos exposure increases the incidence of histologically confirmed usual interstitial pneumonia Usual interstitial pneumonia in asbestos-exposed cohorts - concurrent idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis or atypical asbestosis [Update: standardized CT/HRCT classification of occupational and environmental thoracic diseases in Germany] Reliability of the proposed international classification of high-resolution computed tomography for occupational and environmental respiratory diseases Helsinki criteria update 2014: Asbestos continues to be a challenge for disease prevention and attribution Update of the AWMF S2k guideline diagnostics and assessment of occupational Asbestos-Related Diseases - What’s new? [Pitfalls in diagnostic imaging and assessment of benign asbestos-related thoracic diseases] Auf Dem Gebiete Der Rontgenstrahlen Und Der Nuklearmedizin Asbestos surveillance program Aachen (ASPA): initial results from baseline screening for lung cancer in asbestos-exposed high-risk individuals using low-dose multidetector-row CT Radiological surveillance of formerly asbestos-exposed power industry workers: rates and risk factors of benign changes on chest X-ray and MDCT Retrospective exposure assessment to airborne asbestos among power industry workers A systematic review of the association between pleural plaques and changes in lung function Acute effects of hypertonic saline inhalation on nitric oxide pulmonary diffusing capacity in healthy adults Physiology of the lung in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis Standardisation of the single-breath determination of carbon monoxide uptake in the lung Restrictions of VC and DLCO in relation to asbestos-related computed tomographic findings quantified by ICOERD-based parameters CO diffusion capacity and computed tomographic findings of former asbestos-exposed patients: a cross-sectional study Correlation of lung function with ultra-low-dose CT-detected lung parenchymal abnormalities: A cohort study of 1344 asbestos exposed individuals Patterns of pulmonary dysfunction in asbestos workers: A cross-sectional study Smoking behaviors among patients receiving computed tomography for lung cancer screening Prevalence of reduced lung diffusing capacity and CT scan findings in smokers without airflow limitation: a population-based study Why is quaternary prevention important in prevention Correlation of ultra-low dose chest CT findings with physiologic measures of asbestosis Thin-section CT abnormalities and pulmonary gas exchange impairment in workers exposed to asbestos Asbestos-induced and smoking-related disease: Apportioning pulmonary function deficit by using thin-section CT Pleural plaques and lung function in the Marysville worker cohort: A re-analysis Diffusing capacity and forced vital capacity in 5,003 asbestos-exposed workers: Relationships to interstitial fibrosis (ILO profusion score) and pleural thickening Lung function not affected by asbestos exposure in workers with normal computed tomography scan [Effect of asbestos fibre dust exposures on lung function—a systematic review] Value of lung diffusing capacity for nitric oxide in systemic sclerosis Lung diffusing capacity for nitric oxide as a marker of fibrotic changes in idiopathic interstitial pneumonias Different patterns of gas exchange response to exercise in asbestosis and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis Nitric oxide diffusing capacity versus spirometry in the early diagnosis of emphysema in smokers Lung diffusing capacity for nitric oxide and carbon monoxide in relation to morphological changes as assessed by computed tomography in patients with cystic fibrosis Combined diffusing capacity for nitric oxide and carbon monoxide as predictor of bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome following lung transplantation Emphysema findings associated with heavy asbestos-exposure in high resolution computed tomography of Finnish construction workers Effects of commodity on the risk of emphysema in South African miners Pleural plaques and their effect on lung function in Libby vermiculite miners The effects of pleural plaques on longitudinal lung function in vermiculite miners of Libby Libby amphibole disease: pulmonary function and CT abnormalities in vermiculite miners Lung function profiles among individuals with nonmalignant Asbestos-related disorders An official American thoracic society and European respiratory society technical statement ERS/ATS technical standard on interpretive strategies for routine lung function tests Multi-ethnic reference values for spirometry for the 3-95-yr age range: the global lung function 2012 equations 2017 ERS/ATS standards for single-breath carbon monoxide uptake in the lung Standardisation and application of the single-breath determination of nitric oxide uptake in the lung Official ERS technical standards: global lung function initiative reference values for the carbon monoxide transfer factor for Caucasians Reference equations for pulmonary diffusing capacity of carbon monoxide and nitric oxide in adult Caucasians Lung diffusing capacity for nitric oxide measured by two commercial devices: A randomised crossover comparison in healthy adults Of the need to reconcile discrepancies between two different reference equations for combined single-breath DLNO-DLCO in systemic sclerosis Protocol recommendations of the AG DRauE for conducting low-dose volume HRCT examinations of the lungs Relationships (I) of international classification of High-resolution computed tomography for occupational and environmental respiratory diseases with the ILO international classification of radiographs of pneumoconioses for parenchymal abnormalities International Classification of HRCT for Occupational and Environmental Respiratory Diseases (Springer Official statement of the American Thoracic Society Diagnosis and initial management of nonmalignant diseases related to asbestos Testing the Significance of Correlations (2014) Download references Open Access funding enabled and organized by Projekt DEAL This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public European Vascular Centre Aachen-Maastricht Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology Biostatistics and Prevention Institute (EBPI) Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine The authors declare no competing interests The study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki and the protocols were approved by the Ethics Committee of the Medical Faculty Consent to participate was waived for analysis of clinical routine data Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations Download citation DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-99824-w Anyone you share the following link with will be able to read this content: a shareable link is not currently available for this article Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science Sign In Register REGINA - Resident Julian Branch is trying to spread awareness regarding the ongoing health risks that asbestos cement (AC) water pipes pose to Regina citizens Studies done by the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) have shed light on the health risks of drinking asbestos from AC water pipes Part of that partnership was bringing the NRC and the City of Regina into a unique "community environmental laboratory." The laboratory was known as the Centre for Sustainable Infrastructure Research (CSIR) which aimed to focus "on the theme of sustainable infrastructure and environment that builds on local industry and R&D capacity." Two years after opening, the centre came out with a study focused on AC water pipes in Regina The report highlights the number of water main breaks caused by the pipes These numbers were up by around 250 from only three years before Pipes were starting to break because they were installed in the city between the 1940s and 1980s while factors like temperature change also played a role Even though Regina was using 531km of AC pipes, which was later confirmed to be 600 km previous studies mentioned in the report noted health concerns regarding AC pipes which were "related to the release of asbestos fibres into the drinking water due to chemical attack on the asbestos cement material and the erosion of the internal surface of the pipe by the water." This report didn’t outline any specific health risks to people, but another one done by NRC in 2010 went into further detail. The report made a clear point that "severely deteriorated AC pipes also released asbestos fibre into the drinking water and could pose a hazard of malignant tumours of the gastrointestinal tract and other organs in consumers." It was also confirmed by the U of R that there is approximately 20 per cent of asbestos fibres contained in an AC pipe Despite research indicating health risks from AC pipes Regina has taken a slow approach to replacing the pipes with polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipes "If [city council] looked at this issue very seriously after the first study came out in 2006 it would have been cheaper to replace all the city’s pipes." In their 2014 water and sewer utility budget Regina estimated it would cost $300 million to replace the water distribution system those costs would be in the billions with inflation A main reason for the city’s lack of urgency is Health Canada’s stance on asbestos in water The health organization has stated "there's no consistent convincing evidence that asbestos ingested through drinking water is harmful to your health." During a city council meeting held in 2021 city administration pointed out the findings from Health Canada and what they saw in their test Regina conducted 11 tests themselves in 2020 and found no traces of asbestos the city has dropped the number of tests back down to four a year "the big thing with the City of Regina is they do not test for asbestos at water main breaks." He referenced CTV’s W5 'Something in the Water' documentary in 2023 where they tested for asbestos at a water main break in the city and found 370,000 fibers in a litre of water waste and environment at the City of Regina he referenced the testing done by the city since 2016 which found no traces of asbestos in the water Doney later mentioned Health Canada’s clear stance on asbestos in water posing no health concern Branch himself said he’s perplexed by how the American Cancer Society swallowing asbestos and "water that runs through asbestos cement pipes" on their cancer risk page yet Health Canada doesn’t believe it’s any concern Another point Branch mentioned is the city advises residents when there is a water main break the city has seen a large amount of water main breaks from the large swing in temperatures Some residents who are affected by the water main breaks are receiving a notice from the city "repairs stir up sediment from the bottom of the main This disturbed sediment does not pose health concerns and should not make you sick." Branch questioned the city's notice regarding sediment found at the bottom of an AC pipe water main break which goes against study's previously mentioning the health risks of asbestos in water Regina currently replaces around 10km of water mains that have a high rate of breaks each year it will take 50 years to replace the asbestos cement water pipes My 35-year-old son will be in his late 80s," said Branch No studies have been done for over a decade now regarding AC pipes in Regina since the CSIR eventually closed down in the 2010s Since then, Sask. politicians in 2024 called for answers surrounding the Communities of Tomorrow partnership and looking into a performance review Green Party leader Naomi Hunter noted the whole purpose of the partnership was to study asbestos in water Hunter said all that is left in Regina is old AC pipes Branch believes the city should look into reopening the centre and finish the job that Regina started He’s also called on the provincial and federal government to work with the municipal governments to pay attention to the studies that cost taxpayers millions of dollars Sign in Join now, it's FREE! York Region is repaving Davis Drive west of Yonge Street to remove traces of asbestos and make other improvements in the area The project on Davis between Yonge and Bathurst Street involves contractors removing and replacing the asphalt road surface The work will result in some temporary lane closures The region said that asbestos was used in asphalt mixes to improve performance through the 1970s and early 1980s The region said the risk of exposure for workers and bystanders is low but workers will take protective measures while removing existing asphalt intersection improvements will be made at Crossland Gate and Ford Wilson Boulevard upgrading traffic control signals and lighting The region said it would also enhance audible pedestrian signals and tactile walking surface indicators and replace culverts at the Crossland Gate and Ford Wilson Boulevard intersection the road will remain open to traffic throughout the construction period Access to homes and businesses will also be maintained “Transportation improvements prepare York Region to meet the needs of motorists pedestrians and transit users today and into the future,” the region said in a construction notice “Thank you for your patience during the construction period We understand construction creates challenges for the community and we are working to deliver this project with minimal disruption.” Questions can be directed to the region’s public works department at [email protected], noting Contract: 25-135C More Spotlight > EdmontonNewsMore than a dozen workers exposed to asbestos in Edmonton public schools last yearBy Nicole WeisbergPublished: October 30, 2024 at 1:45PM EDT Twitter feed ©2025 BellMedia All Rights Reserved own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) provides funding as a member of The Conversation UK View all partners Asbestos may have been banned from use in the UK since 1999 but the hazardous material continues to pose a serious danger to the population Low levels of asbestos are naturally present in the air which usually doesn’t cause people to become ill regular exposure to asbestos – in the workplace Asbestos exposure can have an insidious effect on health. It can take decades for symptoms to become noticeable but According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety, more than 5,000 people die from asbestos-related diseases each year making asbestos the leading cause of work-related deaths in the UK Asbestos is a group of dangerous but naturally occurring fibrous minerals widely used for decades for their heat-resistant and insulating properties. The primary types of asbestos include the most commonly used chrysotile (white asbestos) amosite (brown asbestos) and crocidolite (blue asbestos) These fibres are highly durable and resistant to heat, electricity, and chemical damage, which made asbestos a popular material in various industries, particularly in construction and manufacturing throughout the 20th century Worryingly, despite the known dangers of asbestos, it remains a common material in many UK school buildings. According to a 2019 Department for Education survey more than 80% of state schools in England and around 60% of schools in Scotland and Wales still have asbestos “present on their estate” Asbestos is considered to be safe as long as it is undisturbed if there are damaged or shedding fibres then the material becomes highly dangerous to those exposed to it When asbestos fibres become airborne and are inhaled, they can cause significant damage to lung cells and other organs The main health issues linked to asbestos exposure include lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis a chronic lung disease that leads to lung tissue scarring and severe breathing difficulties Mesothelioma is a rare but aggressive cancer affecting the lining of the lungs – and sometimes the abdomen or heart. Sadly, as my research has shown, it’s extremely difficult to treat patients with this condition a group that was set up to protect workers and students from the risk of asbestos states estimates that “1,000 teachers and support staff and 9,000 former pupils died from mesothelioma between 1980 and 2017 due to asbestos exposure in schools” In October 2024, the CEO of the Mesothelioma UK charity, Liz Darlison told the MailOnline that: The ongoing presence of asbestos in our deteriorating school buildings is like a bomb that is slowly exploding It’s an unbelievable tragedy and a national disgrace that we are not doing more to protect people Crumbling school buildings could disturb asbestos fibres, causing them to be released and then inhaled by teachers and students. Asbestos fibres are invisible – they can’t be seen, smelled or felt in the air or on clothes so it’s impossible to know if you’ve been exposed to it – until it’s too late. It seems, then, that only way to finally eradicate the health risks of asbestos is to remove it from public buildings. Strict enforcement of regulations, public education, safe removal programs and support for those who’ve been exposed to asbestos will be essential in ensuring that asbestos related health risks are finally eradicated. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. | CBC.ca LoadedAsbestos anxiety seems to be growing on P.E.I 3 months agoDuration 2:27Asbestos anxiety seems to be growing on P.E.I.3 months agoNewsDuration 2:27Experts say it's harmless if left alone, but the number of permits granted to remove asbestos from structures on P.E.I. has more than doubled in recent years. CBC's Cody MacKay has more on how we live with asbestos and why there's so much of it in our buildings. Here’s how the automatic recount will work for Terra Nova-The Peninsulas42 minutes agoVideo20:16 The Breakdown | Supplying Canada’s military + Duty Free tariff fearsThe Breakdown - Full Show |1 hour agoVideo2:01 Video evidence, NHLer testimony raise questions in world junior sexual assault trialThe National |May 2Video4:45 Trump repeats 51st state taunt as Carney prepares for White House visitThe National |May 5Video11:28 It is a priority for CBC to create products that are accessible to all in Canada including people with visual Closed Captioning and Described Video is available for many CBC shows offered on CBC Gem personalized website to manage your care (formerly myMDAnderson) If you have questions about MD Anderson’s appointment process our information page may be the best place to start Find information and resources for current and returning patients Learn about clinical trials at MD Anderson and search our database for open studies The Lyda Hill Cancer Prevention Center provides cancer risk assessment Your gift will help support our mission to end cancer and make a difference in the lives of our patients Our personalized portal helps you refer your patients and communicate with their MD Anderson care team As part of our mission to eliminate cancer MD Anderson researchers conduct hundreds of clinical trials to test new treatments for both common and rare cancers Choose from 12 allied health programs at School of Health Professions View open postdoctoral and other research trainee positions Learn about our graduate medical education residency and fellowship opportunities Most cases of mesothelioma are caused by exposure to a substance called asbestos This rare cancer develops in the mesothelial cells the thin layer of tissue that lines the chest cavity and is also known as the pleura is there anything you should do to lower your risk of developing asbestos-related cancers We spoke with Ernest Hawk, M.D. vice president and head of Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences Asbestos is a group of six naturally occurring mineral fibers that have special properties such as being fire resistant and good insulators They are found in certain types of rock and extracted through mining It could be found in everything from roof shingles and brake pads to flooring and insulation Once asbestos was identified as a carcinogen government agencies stepped in to start limiting its use They also developed strict protocols on how materials containing asbestos could be handled Asbestos exposure is not considered as much of an issue today because its use has declined so much in the past 50 years.  Asbestos finds its way inside our bodies primarily through respiration we breathe in the fibers and dust when we’re exposed to ore or other materials containing asbestos Small amounts of asbestos are still used in some products and industries today But the average person probably won’t encounter it in high enough concentrations to increase their risk of developing a related cancer.  Prolonged, repeated exposure to asbestos is required for cancer to become an issue. That’s why people who lived or worked close to Ground Zero after the 9/11 World Trade Center attacks are at increased risk anyone involved in the renovation or demolition of older residential or commercial structures could also be exposed to asbestos roofer or construction laborer who worked in those industries mostly before about 1970 Interestingly, asbestos was a factor in the recent lawsuits linking talcum powder to ovarian cancer I’ve often wondered how something that's primarily inhaled can get so far inside the body Maybe that connection will someday become clearer No. That’s one of the challenges. There weren’t any screening tests to look for asbestos-related cancers in otherwise healthy individuals back in the 1970s. There still aren’t today. That’s why these cancers tend to be found in more advanced stages.  Mesothelioma and lung cancers caused by asbestos exposure are normally diagnosed with a chest X-ray in someone who complains of shortness of breath, trouble breathing, persistent coughing or other symptoms But none of these offers a really satisfying explanation No. I’ve seen reports that researchers are exploring potential blood markers signature mutations related to asbestos exposure that I know of Even when we find actual asbestos particles in a biopsy specimen and can infer that it played a major part in causing a cancer This is one instance in which government regulation has been really helpful There’s always a bit of second-guessing involved at the beginning of that process But there’s no doubt now that asbestos regulation has significantly decreased the incidence of all exposure-related diseases Recognizing the link between asbestos and cancer — and then acting on it by removing the source of exposure — has proven to be a highly effective prevention strategy Request an appointment at MD Anderson online or call 1-877-632-6789 an error occurred processing your subscription request Our patients depend on blood and platelet donations Show your support for our mission through branded merchandise © 2025 The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center You are using an outdated browser. Upgrade your browser to improve your experience “Can I sue my landlord for asbestos exposure?” is: “Yes.” The long answer is a little more complex Things like the details of a case determine the type of lawsuit and the outcome Continue reading to learn if you may have an asbestos exposure case against your landlord The type of lawsuit you bring against a landlord depends on your goal in suing them Two possible reasons for suing a landlord for asbestos exposure are: Each reason for legal action requires a different area of expertise Tenants who want to make their landlord address asbestos in a building can contact a housing rights lawyer Tenants who develop an asbestos disease can contact a mesothelioma lawyer The laws around housing (tenants’ rights) and personal injury (patients’ rights) are complex It helps to have an experienced legal expert working on your behalf A number of laws exist to help tenants when they know or suspect their apartment has asbestos. Asbestos in residential buildings can be very dangerous and should be addressed as soon as possible. Exposure to this mineral can lead to cancers like lung cancer and mesothelioma Landlords have certain responsibilities outlined in federal When a landlord violates tenants’ rights or fails to act responsibly The 3 most common laws related to a tenant’s exposure to asbestos are: A tenant may sue a landlord for one or more legal violations An experienced lawyer can determine the best path forward to compel a landlord to act or to get compensation A breach of contract occurs when a landlord fails to perform certain obligations outlined in a lease A landlord is responsible for giving the tenant a unit in good condition this is true even if the lease says otherwise A breach of contract can occur when a landlord leases an apartment with asbestos products in it A landlord may be held legally responsible for handing over an apartment with a dangerous substance in it Successful breach of contract actions against a landlord may result in the landlord paying for emergency repairs or an order compelling them to handle the asbestos problem tenants do not have the right to stop paying rent Not paying rent can make a battle against a landlord much harder You may want to reach out to a housing lawyer or member of a housing authority body before stopping rent payments This may help avoid legal troubles down the line All 50 states recognize something called an implied warranty of habitability This is a legal requirement that landlords provide housing units suitable for living State laws vary as to the specifics of a legal action claiming breach of this warranty An example of this 3-part test as applied to a successful asbestos lawsuit might be: A successful warranty of habitability case may result in a landlord being forced to make repairs reimburse a tenant for repairs or pay for medical bills a negligence case can sound like a warranty of habitability case One of the main differences is that negligence applies to a broad range of cases where a person did not act responsibly and caused injury Warranty of habitability cases only apply to landlord-tenant disputes Negligence law applies a 4-part test to landlord-tenant cases: A court may find a landlord breached a duty to a tenant by failing to warn tenants about asbestos or to abate asbestos Tenants injured by developing asbestos diseases may be awarded compensation for medical bills and other expenses If you suspect your current apartment has asbestos your first step should be to contact your landlord If they are not willing to address the issue in a timely manner you may want to reach out to a housing lawyer or city agency dealing with housing matters For patients with asbestos diseases, you can reach out to dedicated asbestos attorneys These personal injury attorneys have experience getting compensation for people with mesothelioma FindLaw. Can I Sue My Landlord for Asbestos? The Legal Aid Society. What You Need to Know About Repair and Service Rights The Free Guide will be delivered to you within 24 hours Mesothelioma.com is dedicated to providing the latest mesothelioma information and free resources while raising awareness of the dangers of asbestos This site is sponsored by for-profit law firms engaged in asbestos litigation The Mesothelioma.com editorial team works hard to offer current expert reviewed information about mesothelioma cancer and the risks of asbestos exposure Editorial Guidelines | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy The information contained on this site is proprietary and protected copying or dissemination will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law All content on this site is provided for informational purposes only nor should it be taken as medical or legal advice None of the content on this site is intended to substitute for medical advice Notice: This website and its content are sponsored by Early, Lucarelli, Sweeney, & Meisenkothen, LLC, and other for-profit law firms specializing in asbestos injury litigation. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not predict a similar outcome. Please read our disclaimer and privacy policy for more information Pacific Palisades residents noticed smoke cresting a nearby hill It came from a 10-acre fire that would grow to roughly 200 acres in less than half an hour Fueled by wind gusts of over 80 miles per hour fire officials reported that in 3 weeks the wildfires caused 29 deaths and destroyed 16,255 structures The fires had burned more than 37,000 acres Environmental experts are warning residents to take precautions before returning to their homes. Burned buildings may have many toxic substances in the debris, including asbestos. Companies used asbestos in common building materials to make homes and other buildings constructed before the 1980s Information about the age of the destroyed buildings is not yet available But some historic buildings were lost in the fire: Some of these buildings and others erected before the 1980s may still have contained asbestos. People exposed to asbestos because of these fires may now be at risk of developing mesothelioma in the future As wildfires become more frequent, more communities face a greater risk of asbestos exposure. Any level of asbestos exposure can be dangerous if the mineral is inhaled or ingested. It can lead to asbestos-related diseases, like mesothelioma and other asbestos cancers Buildings constructed before the 1980s often had asbestos the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimated that 20% of buildings in the United States contained asbestos asbestos building materials may not pose an exposure risk but fires can release the mineral into the atmosphere The total cost of a fire goes beyond fighting it Costs also include rehabilitation and other indirect costs The NIFC reports more than $2.9 billion in suppression costs alone during the 2017 fire season the Western Fire Chiefs Association (WFCA) notes the total costs topped $24 billion The National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) started tracking wildfire data in 1983 Their statistics show the 10 most destructive fires have all occurred in the past 20 years an indication of how dangerous the situation has become Wildfires have caused significant damage to people’s property and racked up massive costs to fight them The NIFC data shows the cost to fight fires between 2003 and 2012 averaged $1,307,081,300 Many of these homes likely contained asbestos products that released fibers into the air which people in the community may have inhaled Beyond the cost to fight the fires (suppression costs) the total cost spent after a fire includes rehabilitation and other indirect costs The NIFC reports more than $3.1 billion in suppression costs during the 2023 fire season A 2023 report from the Joint Economic Committee notes the average total cost of wildfires is between $394 and $893 billion annually These figures include lower real estate values The number of fires and their severity fluctuates from year to year Larger and more destructive fires are becoming more frequent researchers analyzed data from 1984 to 2018 They found that the Western and Eastern regions of the U.S saw twice as many fires after 2005 as before 1999 The Great Plains had four times as many fires Three facts weigh heavily on the situation the wildfire season has lengthened from five to seven months there was a decades-long widespread use of asbestos in buildings natural asbestos deposits and mines create another potential hazard Asbestos mines and natural deposits can also pose risks during wildfires asbestos present in the deposit may contaminate other minerals and the area around the mine Wildfires can spread asbestos from natural deposits and mining operations Libby, Montana, is an example. Vermiculite was mined from the area mines That vermiculite was near an asbestos deposit leading to the asbestos contaminating the acreage surrounding the mine This makes any fires in the area potential sources of asbestos exposure In the summer of 2023, a fire erupted in a part of the Libby Superfund cleanup site Officials acted quickly to get the fire contained The ground and trees around the site had accumulated asbestos fibers from 70 years of mining In an area weary from asbestos exposure dangers concern grew that the Libby fire could increase exposure risk the quick action from specially trained firefighters likely limited how much was released into the air Firefighters contained the fire in a matter of days after it burned two acres The United States has 876 naturally occurring asbestos deposits uncontrolled burn near one of these mines increases asbestos exposure risks That risk extends beyond the immediate area While asbestos resists heat well, burning asbestos-containing materials make them brittle or friable (crumbly). Asbestos becomes very dangerous when materials become friable. Regardless, many companies used asbestos because of its durability and resistance to heat and fire Research shows that an average of 92% of the asbestos stays behind in the ash Those researchers also note asbestos fibers can remain airborne for hours or days the smoke and ash from a wildfire can travel hundreds or thousands of miles away Airborne asbestos can also settle and become airborne again with a gust of wind Precaution and preparation are critical in the face of increased fire risks Wildfires and burning structures caused by them can release many toxins This danger has led emergency officials to take steps to protect the public If you live in an area where wildfires have become more common you can take steps to protect yourself and your family from asbestos exposure You can take specific actions before wildfire season starts to help you prepare for it more areas are becoming prone to wildfires Wildfires can flare up quickly and spread fast Wildfires spread at an average speed of 14.27 miles per hour It may be several days or weeks before you can get back to your home after an evacuation Officials may delay your return to keep you and your family safe Practicing precautions after a fire can keep you healthy in the long run a fire started in a field outside of Lahaina the fire had jumped a four-lane road and started burning nearby homes with some jumping into the ocean to save themselves Cleanup from the fire took considerable time crews had removed more than 319,000 tons of debris and building fires have their own unique risks You need to understand those risks and how to keep yourself safe before Wildfire intensity and frequency will put more buildings at risk These two facts together mean fires will cause asbestos dangers until remediation and containment take place Advocacy groups continue to fight against these dangers by raising awareness of the risks of asbestos exposure and pushing for a national asbestos ban AP News. An old car tire, burnt trees and a utility pole may be key in finding how the Maui wildfire spread AP News. Hawaii officials say DNA tests drop Maui fire death count to 97 Cartier K. U.S. Fires Quadrupled in Size, Tripled in Frequency in 20 Years Available from: https://eos.org/articles/u-s-fires-quadrupled-in-size-tripled-in-frequency-in-20-years CBS News. How much of Maui has burned in the wildfires? Aerial images show fire damage as containment efforts continue CNN. Wildfires are dealing a massive blow to US real estate and homeownership, congressional report finds Federal Emergency Management Agency. Hope Lives as Lahaina Heals and Plans the Next Steps Forbes. What To Know About The Potential Health Risks Of The Maui Fires—From Birth Defects To Cancer Fox Weather. Catastrophic Hawaii fires now deadliest wildfires in modern US history Headwaters Economics. Wildfires destroy thousands of structures each year Iglesias V, Balch JK, Travis WR. U.S. fires became larger, more frequent, and more widespread in the 2000s Joint Economic Committee. Climate-exacerbated wildfires cost the U.S. between $394 to $893 billion each year in economic costs and damages Los Angeles Times. Risky Asbestos in 20% of Buildings, EPA Estimates NBC News. California wildfires: What we know about L.A.-area fires, what caused them, who is affected and more State of the Planet. How Wildfire Smoke Can Travel Thousands of Miles, and How to Protect Yourself United States Department of Agriculture. Wildfire Ward TJ, Hart JF, Spear TM, Meyer BJ, Webber JS. Fate of Libby amphibole fibers when burning contaminated firewood Ward TJ, Spear TM, Hart JF, Webber JS, Elashheb MI. Amphibole asbestos in tree bark–a review of findings for this inhalational exposure source in Libby, Montana Western Fire Chiefs Association. How Fast Do Wildfires Spread? Western Fire Chiefs Association. What is the Financial Cost of a Wildfire? Asbestos exposure in the workplace can cause a number of major health problems Long-lasting effects from the toxic mineral can contribute to several diseases Appropriate safety measures always need to be taken when working with asbestos Working with asbestos long term increases the risk of developing an asbestos-related disease Cumulative short-term occupational exposures also raise your risk several types of cancers and other serious illnesses.  While asbestos use began to decline in the 1970s and asbestos mining ended in the U.S. in 2002, asbestos has continued to be imported into the country Imported raw asbestos is mostly used in the chlor-alkali industry sheet gaskets and brake block imports have also continued and some workers use these products daily.  The EPA and Biden-Harris administration announced they’d finalized an asbestos ban in March 2024 The new rule will gradually prohibit the use of chrysotile asbestos over the next 12 years but asbestos products will still be actively used as industries make the transition asbestos sheet gaskets will be permitted through 2037 at the Savannah River Site industrial complex to ensure disposal of nuclear materials is safely handled asbestos in the workplace can also pose a risk of secondhand exposure for family members who live with employees or others who come into contact with the exposed employee There is no amount of asbestos exposure that is considered safe according to the World Health Organization Precautions should always be taken when working with asbestos.  even the curtains on the racks – everything was laden with asbestos After about 6 weeks of showing contractors around the ship Some occupations have heavy or intense exposure to legacy asbestos, which is asbestos that still exists in places or products from the past, putting workers at high risk. Mechanical work on older industrial equipment and occupations on older military bases are jobs at particular risk of asbestos exposure Construction workers have some of the highest rates of asbestos exposure schools and homes can contain legacy asbestos The mineral was heavily used in the cement insulation and flooring of these buildings Many workers who encounter these products are at a higher risk of exposure-related illnesses Cement sheets, drywall, masonry compounds, paint, roof shingles, spackling and vinyl floor tiles are all examples of asbestos-containing materials used in construction. Construction work on homes or buildings built before the 1980s can be especially dangerous Burning asbestos building materials can release toxic fibers carried in smoke. Firefighters also encounter asbestos-contaminated ash or debris Firefighters’ families can be at risk of secondary asbestos exposure from contaminated ashes on hair Trade laborers, mechanics, forepersons, welders, millwrights and smelters were historically exposed to asbestos during manufacturing. Industrial workers today are exposed to asbestos in older machine parts and construction materials used to build the factories and plants Asbestos in old boilers, pipes, gaskets, cement and insulation put workers inside power plants at risk Poor ventilation in many plants may also increase the risk of asbestos exposure even for administrative staff working within the building’s offices Today, shipyard workers may encounter asbestos in older construction materials and machinery Decommissioning old ships can pose an increased risk because asbestos was historically used throughout ships from boiler rooms and engine rooms to sleeping quarters Additional high-risk occupations include manufacturing and mining Custodians and teachers who work in older buildings are also at a higher risk of exposure to legacy asbestos they can crumble and contaminate the air with microscopic particles Toxic asbestos fibers can also become airborne during a fire or a natural disaster My dad worked in the boat business as a CPA He would put on his jumpsuit and help out in whatever way he could He would come home from work with the jumpsuit on I remember my sister and I running up to hug him The more exposure to asbestos you experience, the higher your chances of developing an asbestos-related disease. This is called a dose-response relationship. A 2024 Italian study showed regular exposure among asbestos cement workers led to a considerable number of  deaths from asbestos-related diseases.  The study focused on 12,963 asbestos cement workers between 1960 and 2012 More than 50% of the workers died from asbestos-related disease including asbestosis It causes chronic inflammatory changes in the lung lining leading to genetic changes in a cell that then changes into a cancer cell Inhaled asbestos can lodge in the body and cause irritation that can eventually develop into benign and malignant conditions. Asbestos-related diseases include asbestosis, asbestos-related lung cancer, COPD, laryngeal cancer and mesothelioma.  Long-term asbestos exposure in the workplace is the most common cause of mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer that develops in the lining of internal organs. The most common form of the disease is pleural mesothelioma which affects the lining covering the lungs Workers with years of exposure have an 8% to 13% risk of developing mesothelioma.  Identifying asbestos can be tricky because it may resemble other harmless products We spoke with asbestos abatement expert and industrial hygienist Tony Rich who explained to The Mesothelioma Center at Asbestos.com that “one visual clue that a material may be made from asbestos is the presence of small fibers or bundles of fibers within the material itself the fibers are so small they can’t be seen with the naked eye samples need to be taken and sent to a lab for testing to confirm that the material is asbestos.” Being aware of products known to contain asbestos may help you better identify them in your workplace If you suspect asbestos products are present following proper safety protocols can protect you and your colleagues while waiting for confirmation I would say that a very careful occupational history needs to be taken from people who develop mesothelioma Even if they are not aware of asbestos exposure an occupational history may uncover even a short period in an at-risk occupation or location that the affected person may not have identified as a source Products that once commonly used asbestos for its durability and heat resistance are construction materials, textiles and vinyl. Asbestos-containing products also include automotive parts particularly friction parts such as brake pads Workers in a number of professions can encounter legacy asbestos products as well as recently imported asbestos parts Auto workers and oilfield maintenance workers aftermarket automotive brakes and linings and asbestos sheet gaskets in their daily job activities.  While some products deliberately used asbestos others were accidentally contaminated with the toxic mineral is also a mineral and is commonly used in products such as cosmetics and industrial paint as well as those manufacturing talc-based products workers were exposed to an array of asbestos products putting them at significant risk of adverse health effects workers may have known they were working with asbestos products but they may not have been warned about their dangers asbestos was considered a state-of-the-art insulator Natural ore asbestos looks like colorful rocks that can be blue All forms of asbestos fall into 2 categories: Amphibole and serpentine.  needle-like and range in color from green to blue to brown In total there are 6 main types of asbestos that can come in various mineral forms Every type of asbestos causes mesothelioma It typically appears green in color and can appear colorless or pale green under a microscope vermiculite and talc but isn’t used commercially Considered one of the most hazardous types of asbestos It was used in construction materials and insulation products and is a natural contaminant in chrysotile asbestos It accounts for around 95% of the asbestos in the U.S Its most common use was to insulate steam engines it’s a natural contaminant in chrysotile asbestos While seeing the asbestos within products is usually difficult it may sometimes be possible to see fibers if the material has been damaged.  it may be easier to spot small fibers sticking out that look like small fuzzy pieces of frayed fabric Testing is needed to officially confirm the presence of asbestos We didn’t have any protective masks or any protection It actually grinded and kicked the dust back up in our faces We didn’t know at that time that it was asbestos and other minerals in the dust that was being kicked up Agencies such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the EPA have enacted strict guidelines to protect workers from asbestos asbestos exposure continues to be a major cause of worldwide workplace deaths and a leading cause of illness and workplace injuries.  OSHA creates safe standards and highlights health hazards of asbestos The EPA is in charge of keeping local and state employees safe from asbestos exposure in parts of the U.S without an OSHA-approved state occupational safety and health plan.  These organizations ensure workplaces are inspected annually and ensure workers are properly trained The EPA and OSHA can impose fines against employers who violate workplace standards Employees also have the right to report any potential safety issues or injuries in the workplace through these agencies.  When the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 passed This agency is responsible for setting and enforcing workplace asbestos regulations making sure workers are protected on the job OSHA sets standards for asbestos in the fields of general industry ensures workers are provided protective clothing and equipment and makes sure employers are compliant The agency is charged with creating and enforcing regulations aimed at protecting human health and the environment fine or take other measures against violators.  Through the EPA’s Asbestos Workers Protection Rule the agency protects state and local employees who may experience asbestos exposure on the job in states without OSHA’s asbestos standards The WPR adds another layer of protection to employees working in construction The rule protects these workers from the health risks of asbestos exposure to the same extent as private sector employees the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health conducts research and makes recommendations for the prevention of work-related disease and injury NIOSH is part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention NIOSH doesn’t have the power to enforce fines or penalties but it assists in creating asbestos regulations NIOSH has released recommendations over the years to limit workers’ asbestos exposure in Libby The former mining town is considered one of the worst human-made environmental disasters NIOSH also released warnings about the continued dangers of secondary asbestos exposure for workers in 2020 State and local laws vary across the country concerning asbestos in the workplace Each individual state and locality may have its own rules and regulations to follow Washington state banned the use of asbestos vehicle brake pads and shoes Local rules can lead to unique fines and penalties for specific uses of asbestos depending on the location New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy in 2019 signed Bill A4416 into law creating one of the strictest asbestos laws in the country The law prohibits the sale or distribution of asbestos-containing products statewide Anyone who violates the law is subject to a fine of up to $2,500 per offense.  all employers must protect workers from toxic asbestos in the workplace Employers are required to use administrative controls and provide employees with personal protective equipment to reduce the risk of asbestos exposure When I was an engineer for a pharmaceutical company they didn’t tell us that asbestos was bad for you All they said was to put on a little mask to not breathe in the dust If legal limits of asbestos exposure are exceeded control certain work practices and implement ways to reduce airborne levels OSHA requires all workplaces comply with standards to protect employees from asbestos Records are also kept concerning asbestos exposure monitoring for at least 30 years The same rule applies to employee medical surveillance records Employers are responsible for providing safe working environments but workers can also follow best practices to ensure their safety Trying to avoid disturbing or damaging asbestos so it doesn’t become airborne is best but isn’t always possible Employees should report any damaged asbestos-containing materials immediately using high-efficiency particulate air filters and other appropriate protective gear can minimize or avoid exposure Don’t eat or drink in areas where asbestos may be present.  Tip 1: Avoid dry cleanup methods like sweeping and shoveling along with cleaning up any dry debris that could contain asbestos Tip 2: Double bag all waste to dispose of potentially dangerous debris Tip 3: Wear protective outer clothing that can be removed cleaned safely or discarded to avoid carrying asbestos fibers home from the jobsite Tip 4: Wear a NIOSH-approved respirator (N100 or P100) when performing work with asbestos-containing materials Tip 5: Wet materials that may contain asbestos before cutting or breaking to help avoid fibers being released into the air After working with asbestos-containing materials, employees should wash any exposed body parts with soap and water. Clean your work area thoroughly unless asbestos-containing materials have been damaged or broken, which only a licensed asbestos abatement professional should handle If asbestos is accidentally released in the workplace Keep others away from the contaminated area A small walk-in enclosure may be used to contain asbestos fibers.  OSHA’s asbestos training requirements call for employers to train workers who may be exposed to airborne concentrations of asbestos at or above the Permissible Exposure Limit Employees need training before beginning work that could result in asbestos exposure and have annual training.  OSHA requires training in a language and format the employee understands This means employers are responsible for ensuring training is translated into a vocabulary and language in which each employee can understand safety procedures The OSHA standard sets up a classification system for asbestos-related construction work outlining mandatory practices employers must implement to minimize worker exposure This system categorizes construction work into four distinct classes Employee training will vary depending on the role of the worker Employees who perform Class 1 through Class 4 asbestos operations also need training on a number of other specific subjects This could include removing asbestos-containing materials from certain areas like floor tiles or siding Our team connects with nearly 1,000 newly diagnosed mesothelioma patients each year We speak with at least 6 patients per week who were exposed to asbestos on the job follow your official emergency procedures and incident response protocols from employee training Report the incident to your employer and trade union with as many details as possible Wash any exposed areas of your body and discard your clothing to limit your exposure and spread there are no immediate symptoms of asbestos exposure Signs can appear years or even decades later.  If you are diagnosed with mesothelioma or asbestos lung cancer consider taking the step to learn more about the legal and financial compensation options available for you and your family File a formal complaint with your employer or a health and safety representative contact your state’s work health and safety regulator or contact the Toxic Substances Control Act Assistance Information Service Hotline at 800-471-7127 You may also contact the EPA or file a complaint with OSHA After a professional asbestos abatement company performs the removal the EPA recommends a separate company perform the cleanup to avoid a conflict of interest Another third party company should then perform testing in and around the abatement area to confirm asbestos is no longer present Visit OSHA and EPA websites. Laws and regulations in your specific state can be found at EPA in Your State. You can also research asbestos requirements and laws for your individual county or city online The sources on all content featured in The Mesothelioma Center at Asbestos.com include medical and scientific studies peer-reviewed studies and other research documents from reputable organizations The information on this website is proprietary and protected. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Any unauthorized or illegal use, copying or dissemination will be prosecuted. Please read our privacy policy and terms of service for more information about our website Asbestos.com is sponsored by law firms. This website and its content may be deemed attorney advertising. Prior results do not predict a similar outcome. For more information, visit our sponsors page Your web browser is no longer supported by Microsoft. Update your browser for more security If you are looking for mesothelioma support, please contact our Patient Advocates at (855) 404-4592 Calling this number connects you with a Patient Advocate at The Mesothelioma Center the nation's most trusted mesothelioma resource Our Patient Advocates can help guide you or your loved one through the steps to take after a mesothelioma diagnosis Our team has a combined experience of more than 30 years in assisting cancer patients an oncology registered nurse and a U.​S.​ Navy veteran The Mesothelioma Center at Asbestos.com has provided patients and their loved ones the most updated and reliable information on mesothelioma and asbestos exposure since 2006 Our team of Patient Advocates includes a medical doctor an oncology patient navigator and hospice care expert Their combined expertise means we help any mesothelioma patient or loved one through every step of their cancer journey health care professionals and other experts have peer-reviewed our website and written unique research-driven articles to ensure you get the highest-quality medical and health information ← → waste from a shuttered asbestos mine has been a troubling source of contamination for decades a company plans to process the waste to draw CO2 from the air — one of several projects worldwide that aim to turn this liability into an asset a tiny town on Newfoundland’s rocky north coast a 50-ton toxic liability lingers like a bad dream a local prospector discovered asbestos in the hills above the bay The Advocate mine opened in 1963 and became one of Canada’s largest asbestos producers providing mineral fiber for insulation and fire-resistant materials But as asbestos’s health risks — which include mesothelioma and other lung diseases — became clear “There’s a stigma now to the town,” says Trina Barrett But the mine’s waste rock and tailings have stuck around the tailings are considered too big to address yet too dangerous to ignore Rain and wind are dispersing tailings into the air and water over time kids will ride dirt bikes or ATVs on the mound Barrett is hoping not only to clean up the waste but to use it as a way to tackle climate change aiming to extract critical minerals from mining wastes and use what’s left over to draw carbon dioxide from the atmosphere “This is environmental injustice in my hometown,” says Barrett “[We] want to actually help make it right and fix the problem are found in so-called ultramafic rock: rocks that are high in magnesium After mining companies extract the targeted materials they bulldoze the magnesium-rich leftovers into enormous tailings piles where that material reacts with atmospheric carbon dioxide to form magnesium carbonate This “new” rock can permanently sequester that carbon — whether in the earth or Subscribe to the E360 Newsletter for weekly updates delivered to your inbox. Sign Up commonly referred to as “carbon mineralization,” occurs in nature but it happens over a much longer time scale — hundreds or thousands of years But as the planet warms and scientists call not only for cutting the use of fossil fuels but also removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere more and more companies are investigating how to speed up carbon mineralization either by breaking up alkaline rocks with heat or chemicals to create more surface area or by moving air through large piles of tailings The business case for carbon mineralization rests on the sale of carbon removal credits and the sale of tailings byproducts for use in construction and electrification “That’s what’s going to make these projects happen if there’s enough funding [from either of these revenue streams,]” says Abby Lunstrum research associate at the Clean Energy Conversions Laboratory at the University of Pennsylvania where researchers are investigating carbon removal using asbestos tailings and other sources A 2022 report by the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory estimated that existing asbestos tailings in Canada and the United States could remove up to 750 million tons of CO2 in total — while also removing an environmental health hazard “It’s potentially a win-win situation on so many different levels,” says Lunstrum Living near tailings also poses a r­­isk. Studies of communities close to asbestos mines in the town of Thetford Mines, in Quebec, found that nearby towns were “severely contaminated” by asbestos dust from tailings piles, and that asbestos fibers had contaminated nearby water bodies likely impairing aquatic life and reducing biodiversity A 2006 study commissioned by the province of Newfoundland found the mine site in Baie Verte was “heavily laden” with airborne asbestos. While a 2011 report found “acceptable quantities” of asbestos in samples taken intermittently outside the Baie Verte town hall residents say the full impact of airborne asbestos remains unknown Calls to expand the miner’s registry to include residents were unsuccessful On their own, asbestos tailings, which consist of mounds of gravelly rock, already absorb large amounts of CO2; a 2022 study conducted at the King City asbestos mine found the tailings pile was absorbing up to 179 tons of CO2 a year vastly increasing the carbon removal potential The first pilot project using tailings of any kind is underway at an operating nickel mine in Western Australia which was spun out of research conducted at the University of British Columbia Arca uses “rovers” — remote-controlled robots that look like go-carts perched on corkscrews — to churn the tailings bringing unmineralized rock to the surface According to the company’s analysis of tailings’ mineralogy at sites around the world roughly 50 tons of ultramafic tailings will absorb a ton of CO2 tailings capture CO2 10 to 25 times faster As carbon air capture ramps up, major hurdles remain. Read more Arca is also developing a technology that heats tailings to over 1,000 degrees F using microwaves breaking apart the mineral structure of the rock and liberating its magnesium; that magnesium could then be taken to a storage site where the churning ensures it mineralizes This process not only accelerates carbon dioxide removal by making the tailings more reactive — it could also potentially destroy the carcinogenic fibers though the company said it still needs to test this Arca is currently exploring a partnership with BAIE Minerals and is conducting tests on samples from the site in Baie Verte to determine whether the tailings are the right type for their technology BAIE Minerals cofounder Mike Sullivan says the company’s primary aim is to extract critical minerals such as magnesium and silica from the tailings for use in cement That will involve wetting the tailings so that they don’t become airborne and then leaching minerals from the tailings using an acid solution the company will also begin using tailings for carbon removal Montreal-based Exterra Carbon Solutions opened a pilot facility to process asbestos tailings from the region’s mines in March 2024 The company treats tailings with a strong acid to disintegrate the asbestos fibers and extract silica What’s left is high-purity magnesium oxide which absorbs 1.1 tons of CO2 per ton of material and forms magnesium carbonate According to CEO and cofounder Olivier Dufresne the process allows absorption of CO2 “within a few hours.” Dufresne said the pilot facility can currently process around 200 pounds of tailings an hour producing about 300 tons of magnesium oxide per year The company says it aims to build a full-scale facility in 2027 an assistant professor in environmental geosciences at Trent University says that processing asbestos tailings with chemicals or in microwave reactors has the advantage of destroying fibers Whether such projects can be economically viable depends on the price of carbon credits then that opens up the doors to do certain things,” he says then maybe that doesn’t make sense.” Power says pilot-level projects still have a way to go before reaching commercial application Still, critics are concerned that using asbestos tailings for carbon removal could exacerbate human health risks if the material is pulverized to increase its surface area, as has been explored for other types of reactive rock “The last thing we want is to grind up these tailings and distribute killer asbestos fibers into the air,” says Daniel Green with the group Société pour Vaincre la Pollution It is dangerous to the communities where these plants will be built.” director of the Occupational Cancer Research Center in Toronto says that disturbing tailings could send them into the air and increase health risks particularly for workers — but leaving the tailings as they are isn’t a safe option either “I think there is enough evidence of people living near sites having an increased risk of cancer that I would worry about it,” he says chief administrative officer of the town of Baie Verte says that the town’s priority is residents’ safety Any tailings project that goes forward will need oversight from both the town and the province But she’s “cautiously optimistic” that the BAIE Minerals project could deliver a solution for the community Natural Resources Canada considers carbon mineralization a sector with long-term growth and export potential Agency spokesperson Maria Ladouceur said in an email that the specific safety measures and regulations for carbon mineralization of tailings will depend on the type of mine waste being used In seawater, researchers see an untapped bounty of critical metals. Read more he still has a place in town and comes back regularly to visit his mother (his father Breen is frustrated by the province’s lack of reclamation on the site all that’s missing is the big heavy-haul trucks It looks the same as it was when it was in operation.” He is skeptical that BAIE Minerals has the technology it needs to use the asbestos safely To help reassure residents that the mine site can be safely remediated BAIE Minerals plans to establish a demonstration project at the community college campus in Baie Verte this year But if there are health effects from using asbestos for carbon removal it could take about 30 years for those impacts to manifest Moira Donovan is a science journalist based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Her work has appeared in Hakai Magazine, The Economist, and The Atlantic, and has aired on CBC Radio. More about Moira Donovan → Never miss an article. Subscribe to the E360 Newsletter → Brunel University of London provides funding as a member of The Conversation UK Asbestos, a notorious carcinogen, was in widespread use throughout the 20th century – from building materials to brake pads and even fake snow on film sets including The Wizard of Oz and White Christmas Exposure to asbestos is accountable for 80% of all mesothelioma cases. The development of asbestos-related mesothelioma after exposure is a complicated and decades long process lasting for around 30-50 years In the 21st century, some women are suing cosmetics companies for asbestos related mesothelioma as a result of asbestos exposure but there are six fibrous asbestos minerals that are known to cause mesothelioma; chrysotile (white) these asbestos minerals are bundles of fibres The fibrous bundles are similar to rope; and an asbestiform bundle can fray and break up into smaller fibres If a bundle of asbestiform fibres breaks up into smaller they can become dust particles that are easily inhaled they can find their way to the mesothelium – a tissue membrane that lines the lungs Once an asbestos fibre is in the lung mesothelium it can remain there for decades The body recognises asbestos fibres as a foreign body immune cells are sent to the area to break down the asbestos fibres asbestos fibres are resistant to the immune attack And the chemicals produced by the immune cells to break down the asbestos fibres attack the mesothelium There are no records of asbestos being intentionally used in cosmetics – but there is a risk of low level asbestos contamination in talcum minerals From eye shadow to blusher and face powder Talc is incorporated into cosmetic formulas because it’s a moisture absorbent anti-caking agent As part of a BBC investigation in 2024, eight commercially available cosmetic samples containing talc were tested using transmission electron microscopy – an imaging technique used to view the smallest structures in matter trace levels of asbestos were found in two of the samples Talcum rock is a solid mineral that’s mined from the earth and powdered to produce talc The microscopic appearance of talc and asbestos fibres are dissimilar but they share other characteristics They’re both formed in similar geological conditions and classified as silicate minerals comprised of the same chemical elements: silicon The different microscopic structure between talcum and asbestos is the product of the arrangement of the chemical elements during the mineral formation Like the difference between scrambled eggs and poached eggs – both are made from eggs but the way the egg has been cooked results in a different appearance Due to the similarities between asbestos and talc it is common for asbestos minerals to form within talcum minerals deposits These deposits can range from microscopic deposits to large discrete zones of asbestos Consistent testing since the 1970s has found asbestiform fibres in some commercial talc products As of 2022, 7.3 million tonnes of talcum are mined per year. However, the talc industry has been resistant to regulation, voluntarily introducing a technique called X-ray diffraction to determine any asbestos content, which has limited detection ability This means there’s a possibility that some asbestos fibre contamination may have gone undetected in cosmetic talc products tested using this technique. Using talc based cosmetic products, then, may be risky – and, currently, little information is provided to consumers If the use of talc based cosmetics is to become a matter of consumer risk consumers must be made aware of the potential dangers which increases the risk of airborne particulates – microscopic particles of solid or liquid matter suspended in the air Powder cosmetics are usually applied to the face which then increases the risk of inhaling any airborne particulates If those particulates are asbestiform fibres the end result is very likely to be asbestos related mesothelioma Metrics details The World Health Organization has confirmed that asbestos fibres are carcinogenic claiming that asbestos-related diseases should be eradicated worldwide and tremolite are regulated asbestiform mineral phases asbestos minerals occur either in a fibrous and asbestiform (original morphology characterized by high length-to-width ratio and provided of high tensile strength and flexibility) or fibrous but not asbestiform appearance This study used human epithelial cancer cells (A549) and a mouse fibroblast cell line (Balb/c 3T3) to compare the genotoxic and carcinogenic effects of a sample of amphibole asbestos with samples of fibrous not asbestiform named cleavage fragments (CV) obtained by grinding non-asbestiform amphiboles The results showed that exposure of alveolar lung cells to asbestos and elongated mineral particles in the habit of cleavage fragments (CF) derived from the grinding of non-asbestiform amphiboles and serpentines CF obtained from an actinolite schist induces a transformation effect in the Balb/c 3T3 model these findings highlight the importance of considering CF as a potential threat to human health since it can cause genotoxic damage by triggering cellular transformation processes that overlap with the mechanisms involved in the carcinogenesis processes of asbestos which happened because they were used commercially during the establishment period of the regulations amosite and crocidolite are commercial names for the mineral species grunerite and riebeckite The asbestiform habitus refers to a crystallization habit of a mineral when the crystals are thin and like needle-shaped elements with a unidirectional growth the structure is characterized by elongated prisms with a lozenge-shaped cross-section The crystalline growth is not unidirectional considering the impact of cleavage fragments is not significant the mechanical action exerted on non-asbestos-like amphibole rocks could generate capable of triggering a carcinogenic process the cancerogenic multiple stages process inducted by asbestos fiber is induced by different mechanisms Non-asbestos silicates during cleavage processes could determine the formation of EMPs could trigger multistep processes similar to asbestos we investigated amphibole genotoxic and transformation properties by comparing the biological effects of a sample recognized as asbestos with not asbestiform fibrous amphiboles of the tremolite-actinolite series (A5 A4) and a sample of fibrous lizardite (A3) CF used in this research were obtained by grinding different non-asbestiform amphiboles derived from different rocks Resulting samples were tested at varying dosages and exposure times in A549 human epithelial cancer cell line for cytotoxicity and DNA damage and in the Balb/c 3T3 cells for transformation assay The results comparing the effects of CF exposure to amphibole asbestos revealed CF’s ability to induce genotoxic damage and transformation effects similar to the carcinogenesis mechanisms of asbestos A5 contain cleavage fragments habit with average L: W between 9 and 108 Only two Elongated Mineral Particles on 500 measured have L: D ratio < 3 (from samples A4 and A5) A5 have variable amounts of fibers shorter than 5 μm: 28 The prevailing size class frequency for the asbestiform amphibole is between 10 and 50 μm A5) show prevailing frequence between 10 and 50 μm The % frequence for all samples is consistent with mechanical properties and preferred partings for the corresponding selected natural occurrence The supplementary materials implement the geometric characterization of Table 1 by describing the textural setting of addressed samples supported by the SEM images and EDX analyses of materials source for CFs the calcium amphiboles themselves of the analyzed samples belong to the tremolite-actinolite series The ζ-potentials of asbestiform and non-asbestiform amphiboles showed negative values when analyzed in deionized water at 37 °C The most negative measure is reached by sample F3 has the most negligible negative value of −20.37  ± 0.43 mV Noteworthy are the potential values of samples A3 (−25.76 ± 0.37 mV) and A5 (−23.58 ± 1.36 mV) which are lower than F3 but higher than samples A1 (-21.63 ± 0.27 mV) and A4 The results of 48 h exposure of Balb/c 3T3 at different concentrations of CF tested are reported in Fig. 1. Linear regressions by exposure of Balb/c 3T3 to CF (A1 and A5) or asbestos (F3) at different concentrations (1.90 The results are expressed as the average number of cell colonies (± SD) of three independent experiments and considered 100% Ctrl The linear model describes the clonogenicity trend for each sample tested it is possible to appreciate a clonogenic capacity decrease per all samples tested consequently correlating to the concentration of CF to which the cell cultures are exposed The regression coefficients were highly significant for samples A1 samples A4 and F3 reported a P-value < 0.01 with R2 values of 0.829 and 0.832 The regression line of each sample was used to calculate the no-effects dose and IC50 concentrations. The results obtained are shown in Table 3 the IC50 in the tested samples is achieved at different CF concentrations except the F3 and A3 samples where no-effects dose and IC50 values overlap Fluorescence units referred to DCF emitted intensity in A549 cells The redox status was evaluated either untreated (Ctrl) or exposed for 24 h to IC50 of corresponding concentrations of varying CFs (A1 The results are expressed as the average increase of fluorescence (FU) compared to Ctrl and a t-test was conducted to compare differences between different groups P values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant the curves show a first phase corresponding to the third hour in which there is a slight decrease in ROS an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) is possible The significance values reached at the 6 h show a P < 0.01 for all the tested samples the ROS levels maintained almost equal values for all the samples except F3 where a positive trend was observed (P < 0.001) The results obtained at 24 h indicate a slight negative decline for samples A3 (P < 0.05) and A1 (P < 0.01) maintenance of the observed ROS values for samples A4 (P < 0.05) and A5 (P < 0.001) and a further positive trend for F3 (P < 0.001) Figure 3 reports the percentage of DNA in the tail (TDNA %) as an indicator of DNA damage in A549 cells when tested at no-effects dose and IC50. in A549 cells after exposure for 12 h to the no-effects dose indicated as - and IC50 concentrations indicated as + (µg/cm2) of CFs or asbestos (F3) The columns report the means + SD of triplicate analyses Moreover, fiber morphology (A1, A3, A4, A5, and F3) in the context of the Balb/c 3T3 cells interaction was obtained by SEM analysis and reported in Fig. 4. This microphotography highlights the morphology change of treated cells compared to untreated cells (Ctrl). SEM images (Magnification: 2000x) of representative Balb/c 3T3 exposed at different CFs (samples A1 A4 and A5) and amphibole asbestos (F3) for 12 h Figure 4- F3 representing the in vitro exposure to asbestos shows a dense network of needle-like fibres incorporated within the entire cellular structure while showing the CFs inside the cell body show a class of morphologically heterogeneous particles in which an EMP with a fibrous appearance could justify a lower reproductive viability Photomicrographs A1 and A3 show a scarcely fibrous appearance that seems to adhere to the surface of the cell membrane The possible transforming activity of CFs was investigated using the in vitro transformation model of Balb/c 3T3 cells The range of concentrations used in the transformation tests was chosen based on the results obtained from the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity tests transformation tests were performed only on samples F3 This choice arises from the awareness that the carcinogenesis process requires mutational events that ROS and genotoxic damage could trigger The results expressed as the number of foci transformed were related to the number of foci obtained for the negative control sample (Ctrl-) and those present in the cells in contact with the F3 sample (mineral Ctrl+) The latter can be considered a positive control given the recognized carcinogenic activity of asbestos a positive control (3-methylchloranthene) was added to the test system to demonstrate the test sensitivity and verify the transforming action The results (Fig. 5) show a highly significant effect induced by 3-methylchloranthene (P < 0.001) when compared with the control sample (Ctrl-) as a sign of the high sensitivity of the system. Transformation frequency of Balb/c 3T3 cells exposed to samples A3 Results are expressed as the means + SD of three independent experiments for cell growth assay cell contact with sample F3 at doses between 0.4 and 15.2 µg/cm2 shows a highly transforming effect at doses of 1.9 µg/cm2 (P < 0.001) corresponding to the IC50 and 3.8 µg/cm2 although the latter less significantly (P < 0.01) No transforming effect is observable at doses below 1.9 µg/cm2 a toxic action is observed that also inhibits the formation of a homogeneous cell mat in the plates in which the cells were cultured a transforming action was observed for sample A5 at higher concentrations than sample A3 the transforming effect is seen at concentrations of 3.8 µg/cm2 (P < 0.05) reaching the peak transforming effect at concentrations of 7.6 µg/cm2 (P < 0.01) Higher concentrations prevented the formation of a complete and uniform cell monolayer and no transforming effect was observed for sample A3 at the different doses used Our in vitro study evaluated the effects of CFs as EMPs overlapping them with the effects of exposure to asbestiform fibres the present results assessed some EMPs’ ability to induce cytotoxic and genotoxic effects redox disequilibrium in lung epithelial cells and a transforming effect on Balb/c 3T3 cells The results showed that in vitro exposure of alveolar cells to asbestos induced a transforming effect in the Balb/c 3T3 model Clonogenic assay performed in cell exposure to asbestiform amphibole (F3) or CFs confirms that fibres can generate widespread injury in the cellular system has always been reached at higher concentrations than the asbestiform amphibole sample except for the CFs obtained by grinding the actinolite schist A3 which showed a response overlapping with asbestiform amphibole probably from mechanistic effects different from those attributable to the action of asbestos The Comet test highlighted DNA damage in the cells exposed to asbestiform amphibole (F3) and in those exposed to CFs obtained by grinding samples of actinolite schist (A5) and serpentinised peridotite with lizardite vein (A3) several observations are noteworthy since the damage is present in the cells exposed to A3 samples at the highest concentration sample A5 caused high levels of damage at the dose corresponding to the no-effects dose the genotoxic damage after A5 exposure reaches values like those reported for cells exposed to asbestiform amphiboles when samples capable of triggering genotoxic damage were tested by transformation assay performed in Balb/c 3T3 cells it was possible to observe a carcinogenic potential in both asbestiform and non-asbestiform amphibole The assay is based on changing the phenotypic features of cells undergoing the first conversion steps from normal cells to neoplastic-like cell foci with oncogenic properties highlights a change in the phenotypic features of cells undergoing the first conversion steps from normal cells to neoplastic-like cell foci after amphibole CFs exposure Different studies have shown that the process follows a multistage process closer to the model stages of in vivo carcinogenesis the results of this in vitro study demonstrate that EMPs like asbestos can trigger adverse effects such as cytotoxicity and redox imbalances EMPs obtained by grinding prismatic amphiboles significantly increase genotoxic damage and the transformation potentiality highlighting typical asbestos mechanisms of the carcinogenesis process further in vivo studies are needed to understand EMPs’ actions better In addition to clarifying the etiopathological mechanisms induced by their inhalation a reassessment of current legislation would eventually be necessary to accurately identify the danger and risk due to exposure to these particles produced in a workplace The tested minerals (Table 4) represent non-asbestiform fibrous amphiboles from different host rocks showing heterogeneous mineralogical and petrographic characteristics Sample F3 identifies an asbestiform amphibole Mineral and petrographic characterization was based on reflected and transmitted optical microscopy (OM) and µ-Raman spectroscopy to identify the fibrous and EPM minerals and distinguish the phase morphology The amphibole mineralogical classification was issued from the quantitative in situ analyses on polished and graphite-coated thin-sections by SEM-EDS methodology using a Vega 3 XML TESCAN (Brno Czech Republic) equipped with an energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy AZtec 2.4 by Oxford Instruments The elemental analysis of minerals was acquired with a counting time of 30 s The morphometric qualitative analysis on the ground gold-coated dust dispersed on membranes was conducted at 2500× magnification Due to the variegated microtextures of sample A3 µ-Raman spectroscopy were performed Micro-Raman scattering measurements were performed by a single monochromator Horiba Jobin-Yvon Explora_Plus spectrometer (HORIBA France) (with a grating of 2400 grooves/mm) equipped with an Olympus BX41 microscope (HORIBA Raman spectra were excited from the 532 nm line and the silicon peak was calibrated at 520.5 cm−1 Raman spectra were collected at 100–1100 cm−1 and 3000–3800 cm−1 for 15 s two analysis points were performed on the vein/rock interface and vein The ζ-potential of mineral fibres was investigated to enlighten the possible relationship between surficial charge and fibre activity (Pollastri et al. Analyses were conducted using a Zetasizer Nano ZS instrument (Malvern Panalytical Each sample was dispersed in deionized water at a concentration of 0.1% (w/w) and analyzed at 37 °C The results were expressed as an average Z-potential value of six replicates The CF and asbestos samples addressed to in vitro tests were obtained following the protocol below The amphibole and the lizardite veins were separated from the host rock with a scalpel and ground by hand in an agate mortar then ground by a McChrone micronizer for 20 min at 4 RPM speed and finally resuspended in 5 ml of distilled water the suspension was dehydrated by freeze-drying resuspended in deionized water at a known concentration sterilized in an autoclave at 121 °C for 15 min and sonicated for 5 min before being inoculated into cells All tests were performed in A549 and Balb/c 3T3 cells obtained from the IRCCS Hospital Policlinico San Martino Cell Bank (Genoa Cells lines were grown as monolayer and maintained in Dulbecco’s Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM) supplemented with 10% (v/v) fetal bovine serum (FBS) and 100 µg/mL streptomycin in a humidified atmosphere containing 5% CO2 at 37 °C The cells were periodically subcultured or used for the experiments until 80–90% confluence was reached All tests were conducted by exposing cells to CF obtained after grinding non-asbestiform amphiboles (samples A1-A5) and using a positive control (F3) Untreated cells were considered as a negative control Balb/c 3T3 transformation assay (CTA) was conducted to evaluate simultaneously both the cytotoxicity and provide insights into the carcinogenic potential of the tested substances based on their ability to induce morphological changes and affect clonogenicity in vitro The preliminary inhibition of colony formation (CFE) was performed to evaluate the cytotoxicity by counting the number of colonies formed after CF exposure compared with non-treated cells the CFE assay was performed by seeding 250 cells in plates of 60 mm (five replicas by treatment) and maintained in standard growth conditions for 48 h (Minimum Essential Medium (MEM) the cells were treated under different concentrations of CF for 48 h washed three times with PBS and maintained in culture for 10–12 days Clusters of cells were indicated as colonies if visible macroscopically and containing more than 50 cells which reduces clonal efficiency by 50% (IC50) was calculated by linear regression from the interpolation line equation Untreated cells were considered negative controls while cells treated with 3-methylchloranthene (4µg/ml) were positive controls the plates were washed with PBS three times and kept in a fresh culture medium (MEM + 10% FBS) for five days to identify the initiation of the carcinogenesis process the cell cultures were maintained in DMEM/F12 with 2% FBS and enriched with insulin (5 µg/ml) to initiate the promotion process From day 18 to the end of treatment (day 31) the cells were maintained in a DMEM/F12 with 2% FBS the cells were fixed with methanol and stained with Giemsa for examination to assess the formation of transformation foci greater than 1 mm in diameter and intensely basophilic multilayered cells with an infiltrating phenotype toward the surrounding monolayer exhibiting contact inhibition The transforming activity of CF was expressed as the mean number of foci per plate ± SD The prooxidant effects were evaluated using 2′,7′-dichlorofluoresceindiacetate (DCF-DA) in A549 cells DCF-DA is a highly liposoluble probe that easily crosses cell membranes A549 cells (4 × 103 per well) were seeded in 96-well plates the cells were loaded with 1 µM of DCF-DA in DMEM (2% FCS) washed twice and treated for each EMPs tested with IC50 concentration and using 8 replicates Fluorescence analysis was performed at time 0 and again following the time course protocol after incubation at 37 °C using a Perkin-Elmer LS3B spectrophotometer The fluorescence in each well was recorded at 495 nm Ex and 530 nm Em the change in redox status was expressed as a unit of fluorescences (FU) and results were reported as mean + SD of the different replications A549 cells were seeded in 6-well plates and treated in duplicate (12 h) with the respective IC50 and NOEL concentrations of different CFs The results were expressed as TDNA % reporting DNA percentage in the comet tail The analyses were performed by JMP software (version 17 The results regarding multiple individual experiments were expressed as means ± SD and data were analysed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with post hoc testing using the Bonferroni test A P value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant THE GLOBAL CANCER OBSERVATORY. 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Anim. 36, 653–665. https://doi.org/10.1177/026119290803600609 (2008) Download references and Samanta Annis for the dimensional characterization of amphibole powders used in the experiments under SEM This research received no external funding and was carried out with the financial support of the Analisi delle proprietà microstrutturali chimico-fisiche di materiali inorganici; determinazioni quantitative della composizione mineralogica di materiali naturali e delle proprietà tecniche dei materiali litici Laboratory funds The authors acknowledge the PRIN 2020 POEM (POligEnetic Mélanges: anatomy significance and societal impacts - CUP 1 D33C22000350001) Sebastiano La Maestra & Mirko Benvenuti Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material Download citation DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-86325-z Home | South Africa A trial within a trial of former Free State Premier Ace Magashule’s personal assistant resumes today in the High Court in Bloemfontein Moroadi Cholota is one of the 17 accused in the asbestos roofing removal saga case The dates displayed for an article provide information on when various publication milestones were reached at the journal that has published the article activities on preceding journals at which the article was previously under consideration are not shown (for instance submission All content on this site: Copyright © 2025 Elsevier B.V. The trial within a trial in the R255 million Asbestos roof removal case is likely to take longer as more accused want to join it Moroadi Cholota who is the former Personal Assistant of Ace Magashule is challenging her extradition from the US Two legal representatives have shown an interest in cross-examining the witnesses called to testify on a trial within a trial The first state witness who has been investigating the matter from the inception has told the court that Cholota was considered a suspect after two unsuccessful meetings with her in September 2021 The court has heard that Cholota refused to answer or answered other questions indirectly that were in relation to emails she had authored According to the state witness she failed to clarify many issues including who gave certain instructions in the contract and was informed that she will be considered as a suspect The state witness presenting the state’s evidence in chief has denied claims that Cholota was threatened or intimidated during these meetings “We have never forced or intimidated Cholota We accommodated her and informed her about her rights.” It has been revealed during cross-examination that Cholota only learnt about her being a state witness from the media The defence has revealed through email communications between the state and Cholota which shows that Cholota never agreed to be a state witness The communication has also revealed that Cholota was requested to testify about information she had already testified to during the State Capture Commission Do you push on all the witnesses that you interview It’s important to establish this factor because we are dealing with cooperation,” says Lerato Marapela has asked the court to cross-examine witnesses in a trial-within-a-trial we will also like to cross-examine the witness as my client is mentioned to avoid calling for another trial-within-a-trial,” says Hodes The state has maintained that this court cannot review the extradition order or judgment of the United States of America The defense will continue cross-examining the state witness on Tuesday Despite decades of work to reduce asbestos exposure tens of thousands of people die globally from asbestos-related diseases (1) Death rates from mesothelioma have remained fairly constant since 1999 after having risen dramatically during the decades when asbestos exposures were not regulated mesothelioma deaths were found to be disproportionately high Because mesothelioma occurs specifically with exposure to asbestos and similar minerals asbestos exposures continue to occur at a rate that poses a serious public health problem the rates of asbestos-caused cancers of the trachea and lung in the United States are twice that of the global average during the same period systemic autoimmune diseases (SAID) are on the rise globally with evidence that much of that rise is due to environmental factors One complicating factor is that asbestos is treated as one substance when six regulated minerals come from two very different mineral groups: (1) Serpentine group (chrysotile) and (2) Amphibole group (tremolite The chrysotile and amphibole minerals have very different mineral structures and chemistries which control their physical and chemical properties Regulations are focused on chrysotile characteristics thus resulting in many amphibole particles not being counted/ regulated as asbestos whereas amphibole may occur in both fibrous and non-fibrous forms The latter are excluded in regulations but may still have adverse health effects The definition of asbestos focuses on the characteristics of high tensile strength and flexibility which are only two of several marketable characteristics of asbestos These two are more common with chrysotile than amphibole minerals high tensile strength and flexibility cannot be measured in a microscope nor have these characteristics been correlated to health outcomes Regulations should be focused on the measurable characteristics that control toxicity The confusion of considering asbestos as one entity also has resulted in academic and media publications stating that asbestos has been banned when the recent ban enacted in the US only applies to chrysotile and isn’t an immediate or total ban (4) These two mineral groups not only have distinct physical and chemical characteristics (5) Both research and regulations surrounding asbestos should treat these two mineral groups separately a small but diverse group of experts collaborated on a broad review of asbestos as a public health risk in the prestigious journal Autoimmunity Reviews (5) The review focused on a non-cancer outcome The authors’ first topic was identifying and mapping the source of exposure to amphibole asbestos Several places where amphibole asbestos exposure occurs have reported elevated rates of positive tests for SAID Montana (mining and use of asbestos-containing vermiculite) New York City (collapse of the World Trade Center towers) and Australia (mining and commercial use of crocidolite) To illustrate the extent of possible exposure to fibrous minerals the authors created maps of the United States that pinpoint sources of exposure within rocks and soils across large areas of the country Many source areas are near large populations and recreation areas As urban development exposes bedrock areas and climate change expand arid regions The 2024 review examined the published literature for articles studying asbestos and autoimmune disease and lists 48 epidemiologic studies in humans and 15 mechanistic studies in rodents data regarding the development of antinuclear autoantibodies (ANA diagnostic markers for SAID) enabled calculation of the risk of ANA from asbestos exposure in the form of odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals The overall OR for all 31 studies was 2.78 (95% CI 2.39-3.23) when the exposure contained amphibole compared to chrysotile asbestos This difference between asbestos fiber types has previously been reported in animal studies (7) The authors emphasized that most studies in rodents and humans support the hypothesis that exposure to amphibole asbestos impacts the immune system and drives autoimmune responses a perusal of eight major papers from 2023-2024 on the health effects of asbestos from the US and South America and global reviews found no reference to the risk for autoimmune disease The article in Autoimmunity Reviews also analyzes the mechanistic data for developing SAID comparing crystalline silica (long recognized as a trigger for SAID) and asbestos They found that all the mechanisms involved in driving silica-induced SAID are also activated by amphibole asbestos chronic inflammation and NALP3 inflammasome activation impaired ability to safely dispose of dead cell debris and activation of a non-resolving inflammatory response characteristic of autoimmune responses there are only a few places in the world that are actively screening for SAID among people exposed to asbestos expanding SAID monitoring much more broadly through simple and inexpensive ANA testing could enhance the early detection of disease and the detection and remediation of current exposure sources This article first appeared in Open Access Government April 2025 To view the article click here License: CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 This work is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International Share - Copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format The licensor cannot revoke these freedoms as long as you follow the license terms Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" Academic articles from a similar field of interest Open Access Government produces compelling and informative news and academic research articles for the public and private sector looking at health As a Crossref Sponsored Member we are able to connect your content with a global network of online scholarly research currently over 20,000 other organizational members from 160 countries Crossref drive metadata exchange and support nearly 2 billion monthly API queries facilitating global research communication EdmontonNewsMan accused of false Edmonton Public Schools asbestos reports turns himself inBy CTV News EdmontonPublished: September 26, 2024 at 8:13PM EDT Teresa Hagan Thomas is a registered nurse specializing in oncology and is a scientist at the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing funded program of research focusing on promoting patient self-advocacy among individuals with cancer including testing patient interventions to promote self-advocacy some research claims there could be a connection A 2020 Danish cohort study suggests that long-term asbestos exposure as a result of a person’s occupation the researchers note that further study is necessary to confirm this observation People who work with asbestos can also expose their family members to it if fibers are carried home on their clothing The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) — a part of the World Health Organization (WHO) — classifies all forms of asbestos as carcinogenic This means that asbestos is a substance that can cause cancer or help cancer grow Not everyone who is exposed to asbestos develops cancer. For those who do get cancer, symptoms may not appear for 10 to 40 years after exposure According to the National Cancer Institute there is no safe level of asbestos exposure Employers must protect their workers from asbestos and limit exposure at all times Anyone with concerns about asbestos in the workplace should discuss it with their employer or their employee health and safety representative Asbestos is banned in the EU and US due to its devastating cancer-causing impact. Now, a Dutch company claims it can recycle asbestos waste and repurpose it as a toxic-free partial replacement for cement. It can cause injury or disease, adding to the risk of developing asbestos-related illnesses, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) available treatments and ways to reduce exposure at work Asbestos, as explained by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is a mineral fiber naturally occurring in rocks and the soil Its remarkable strength and heat resistance have led to its extensive use in various construction materials serving as insulation and a fire retardant You can also find asbestos in a wide array of manufactured goods Asbestos can also lurk in unexpected places Attic and wall insulation containing vermiculite Textured paint and wall/ceiling patching compounds Walls and flooring adjacent to wood-burning stoves Hot water and steam pipes insulated with asbestos materials or covered by asbestos blankets or tape Oil and coal furnaces with asbestos-insulated door gaskets Heat-resistant fabrics used in various applications The U.S. National Cancer Institute explains that asbestos exposure can happen at work in communities or at home when products containing asbestos are disturbed these fibers can become lodged in the lungs this accumulation leads to scarring and inflammation impacting breathing and causing severe health issues Multiple organizations classify asbestos as a human carcinogen, including the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the International Agency for Research on Cancer. It's linked to mesothelioma Asbestos exposure may also elevate the risk of asbestosis causing lung problems and related disorders like pleural plaques and thickening potentially increasing the risk of lung cancer As per the American Lung Association, the effects of prolonged asbestos exposure often manifest 10 to 40 years after the initial contact The most prevalent symptoms of asbestos exposure include: marked by the fingers and toes appearing broader and more rounded than usual Recognizing these symptoms is essential for early detection and timely medical intervention in cases of asbestos exposure director of thoracic oncology and chair of the cancer committee at at Providence St Whether you've had direct contact with asbestos-containing materials encountered it at a construction or industrial site or even been near someone with asbestos exposure informing your healthcare provider is crucial There isn't a specific threshold of asbestos exposure that causes mesothelioma but all forms of asbestos have been linked to it “While the mutagenic effects of asbestos in causing mesothelioma is well established it is more controversial whether a threshold exists in the amount of asbestos inhaled before cancer can be produced," Maurice said such as the collapse of the Twin Towers and the sudden release of thousands of tons of asbestos into the air could be seen as enough to produce a spike in mesothelioma cases over the next decade," he said "But whether this equals the same exposure that might be gained over a long period of time is unknown." Moreover, family members of workers and individuals residing near asbestos facilities or mines face an increased risk. While the risk rises with greater asbestos exposure, there's no identified safe level of exposure when it comes to mesothelioma risk According to the Mayo Clinic there is no treatment to reverse the effects of asbestos Treatment primarily aims to slow disease progression Swiftly addressing respiratory infections can also help ward off complications advanced asbestosis may require supplemental oxygen Participating in a pulmonary rehabilitation program can be beneficial providing education and exercises for improved breathing a lung transplant may be considered as a treatment option Preventing asbestos exposure is critical to your health Until proper assessment and control measures are in place it's crucial to avoid disturbing potential sources of asbestos Here are practical steps to safeguard your health, as outlined in the Asbestos: Worker and Employer Guide to Hazards and Recommended Controls eat or drink in areas where asbestos exposure is possible shoveling or any dry clean-up of asbestos-containing dust and debris breaking or working with them to prevent the release of asbestos fibers Wear protective outer clothing that can be cleaned or discarded When working with asbestos-containing materials use a government-approved respirator to safeguard against inhaling fibers wash exposed body parts thoroughly with soap and water Prevent carrying asbestos fibers home where family members could inhale them; practice care and cleanliness Following these precautions is essential to minimize asbestos-related risks Dr. John Maurice U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA): Asbestos U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): Learn About Asbestos U.S. National Cancer Institute: Asbestos Exposure and Cancer Risk American Lung Association: Asbestosis Symptoms and Diagnosis American Cancer Society: Asbestos and Cancer Risk Mayo Clinic: Asbestosis For more information on general health Expert Tips on How to Manage Work Stress Dealing With Caregiver Stress & Burnout: A Guide Lead Poisoning: What It Is, Symptoms, Health Effects & Treatment How to Work in Extreme Cold: Safety Precautions to Take Metrics details The paper presents examples of the consequences of the lack of negative pressure in the work zone during asbestos removal The asbestos fibre concentrations generated in those work zones were relatively low This was due to the leakage in barriers restricting the work zone Therefore the asbestos content in the outside air these works resulted in short-term pollution of the building's outdoor air to a depth of up to 15 m Such contamination can cover the entire interior of the building This may lead to long-term retention of asbestos fibre in the facility despite the completion of asbestos removal non-friable asbestos-cement sheets removal in those work conditions increased indoor air by contamination up to 3000 f/m3 (outside the work zone) In the case of removing friable asbestos inside the building type “LIPSK” indoor air contamination locally was up 21,000–51,000 f/m3 and outside the work zone to 18,000–28,900 f/m3 These values are above the average concentration of asbestos fibres in the same type of buildings (< 300–400 f/m3) in regular use It concerns not normal (passive) operation but is dependent on the state of product disturbance and in consequence transfer and increased levels of fibre concentration especially during renovation or asbestos removal Exposure to air contaminated with asbestos fibres results in asbestos-dependent diseases of the respiratory system (lung cancer Asbestos mineral fibres have a virtually unlimited "lifespan" and travel distance (downwind) in the environment and the building Detection of asbestos fibre in outdoor air particularly with periodic emission of asbestos (as in the asbestos removal work in the single building) can’t be effective and the threat correctly assessed This contamination disperses rapidly in the environment This is dependent on many internal and external factors only large and constant asbestos fibre emissions show a relatively good correlation between fibre concentration and distance from the emission source Emissions associated with asbestos removal work or building demolition are periodic and lower than during the production process however locally they significantly exceed the fibre concentration compared to the normal phase of building exploitation A limit of asbestos fibre concentration in indoor air during building use is very important in national legislation and the safe use of buildings contain asbestos materials OEL (0.1 f/ccm) values cannot be used as a criterion for acceptable levels of indoor air pollution for so-called continuous exposure being in that building for all time of their life without any protection the concentration of asbestos fibres is drastically lowered after final cleaning polluted air levels in a room can exceed normal levels by more than 100 times and remain in the polluted room for long periods These circumstances for building occupants and maintenance create a risk of greater exposure and the potential likelihood of asbestos related deseases risk Some information on health risks caused by low asbestos exposure is presented in the last section In parallel with the lack of those limits for indoor air contamination in used buildings many countries face the problem of inadequat contractors equipment insufficient negative pressure in asbestos removal work zones This resulted in a lack of control over the aerosol of asbestos dust generated in the air during the work Destruction of products and the appearance of "free" fibres released from the matrix It is variable throughout the work process and is difficult to estimate at the stage of the final assessment of the quality of the work In that case asbestos fibre aerosol "leaks" out of the sealed work zone what reduces the dust concentration in the workplace the "leakage" causes an increase in asbestos contamination of areas surrounding the work zone The zones of the building contaminated by this process can often be outside the scope of the survey and assesing during acceptance attention of the work One question is what concentration of asbestos fibre may be caused by such workmanship errors There are three types of measurements and samples to consider which give different values for the concentration of asbestos fibres measured during a specific asbestos removal process: named: “personal samples” if sampling was at a small distance from the breathing area of workers The “area samples” if they are sample in a distance of more than “personal” outside the confined work area (hermetically sealed working zone The author’s work aimed to determine the size and scope of the impact of these specific errors inside and outside buildings to determine the migration rate of asbestos fibre and to analyse the concentration of their changes over time This was best recorded for the buildings selected for this purpose and after developing appropriate methods for such analysis several construction processes were selected with the removal of products from the interior and exterior of buildings A common feature was the lack of negative pressure in the work zone Due to the lack of national criteria in the results assessment regulations they were compared with literature data of similar works carried out in the West with appropriate care The studies of the effects of the works described here concern works carried out between 2000 and 2019 The author's results presented here (and his earlier research (Appendix A) are compared with those of the literature Air samples collected for the filters were analyzed for the concentration of asbestos repirabile fibres using a the author’s modified optical microscopy technique The hall was a large sports facility. It is shown in Appendix B1 in Fig. B1 It contained two types of asbestos-cement products: PW3/A sandwich panels with an area of 4,561 m2 and a weight of approx made of small tiles with an area of 3457.6 m2 The curtain wall of the hall was made of PW3/A sandwich panels This board consisted of a thermal insulation core made of 4 cm thick polystyrene clad on both sides with a 6 mm thick asbestos-cement board (non-friable asbestos product) The PW3/A boards were separated from the stands by a technical space There were two types of ACM: curtain wall and facade panels the PW3/A sandwich panels were screwed to the steel structure It was possible to unscrew PW3/A boards from the technical rooms under the stands in a non-destructive way The façade panels were attached to wooden battens attached to the surface of the PW3/A panels A section of the facade of this building is seen in the lower part of photo 4a During the disassembly of construction products "friable" products remained in the building (threads and seals of the ventilation system that were not to be removed) It was carried out without separation and encapsulation of the disassembly zones full containment and negative pressure were not performed in the areas of disassembly of internal boards It was not an airtight zone with exit through the decontamination cabin It could migrate both inside and outside the facility There was no central system for protecting the building against the emission of asbestos fibers and as the works progressed and the defect (hole) in the external wall increased the free exchange of internal and external air increased The PW3/A boards were removed by "digging" them out of the mounting strips The surface area of the asbestos cement panels (facade) was approximately 7000 m2 were broken during removal from the building wall The contractors of the works did not use a hermetic cover made of PVC foil to separate the work zone but only typical construction mesh to protect thicker fragments of boards that could fall outside the work zone There was no central system for protecting the building against asbestos fibre emissions The only protection inside the building was closed window openings sealed from the outside with adhesive tape This example is presented because of the lack of airtightness in the work zone and negative pressure during the removal of ACMs from facades Measurements of air contamination were taken on the scaffolding and inside the building (before and during dismantling) The remainder was broken with a hydraulic jack The building contained 140 t of friable and non-friable products in walls and steel structure The building featured modular panel exterior walls with and without windows Each of them contained asbestos-cement boards called GLAGIT under the glass facade (non-friable product) and "soft" boards called SOKALIT on the inside (friable product) In addition to the building's external walls friable boards were used in suspended ceilings and as covers for the building's structure as well as fireproof covers for electrical cables above the ceiling The weight of friable and non-friable products was approximately equal During work, the sealing system of the work zone did not meet the tightness requirements and maintained the negative pressure in the work zone at a level of 2 Pa (It should have reached 20 Pa) (Fig. B4 in Appendix B4) there was a loss of negative pressure in work zones due to "power outages" This was beyond the knowledge of the contractor and resulted in non-hermetic work zones when the closed building became empty (at night) the building security switched off the electricity to save energy This shut down the vacuum-filtration units in the work areas which should have been working continuously until the works were completed The electricity was switched back on before work started The workers were not aware of the repeated power cuts and vacuum drops Asbestos fibres contaminated the entire building The tests were performed inside the building to monitor the dismantling and to control the so-called "leakage" of contaminants outside the work zone No asbestos removal was carried out in the building The measurements were performed approximately 7/8 months after the damage to the “SOPKALIT” boards (friable products) Several sandwich panels named "SOKALIT" on the first floor of the building type “LIPSK” were significantly damaged After determining the presence of asbestos in the damaged boards all floors with rooms were closed and excluded from use The same type of boards on the fifth floor were well-protected and had no damage measurements of asbestos fibre concentration were carried out on the first floor and on the fifth floor the monitoring of pollution during the demolition of a small single-storey building type MOA was monitored 40 t of ACM) in the external and internal walls and ceilings The building was quickly demolished without prior asbestos removal An analysis of changes in internal and external pollution during the demolition of this building was carried out The air samples were taken mostly inside and outside the work area and the others (background) were some distance from the studied buildings where the ambient air was not additionally mixed); That was for the samples when the ACM products were disassembled; where asbestos was not being currently dismantled it was done after or before asbestos removal The air was mixed using fans to activate settled asbestos fibres Sample analyses were carried out using the PCM + PLM method (phase-contrast and polarized light microscopy) repeatedly verified by electron microscopy and comparative inter-laboratory studies The samples were taken from inside the work zone which were taken from a few meters away from the work in progress the values of the area samples obtained here are not equivalent to the individual measurements of a sample from the breathing zone of workers the information can provide a view of the scale of these threats the air samples were collected on filters made of Millipore AA cellulose esters with pore diameters of 0.8 µm The time of sampling through each filter was ensured for two hours were taken from a few meters away from the work in progress were sampled at a different distance from the work zone Building preparation conditions: the windows in buildings were closed during air sampling analyzed the circumstances of the work and carried out air tests at various stages of the work in terms of the concentration of asbestos respirable fibres (countable fibres according to WHO criteria The sample analyses were carried out using the PCM + PLM method (phase-contrast and polarized light microscopy) repeatedly verified by electron microscopy (SEM–EDS and TEM) and comparative inter-laboratory studies indoor contamination inside the rooms with closed windows was averaged from 21 measurements < 300 f/m3 Outdoor “area saples” (measurements taken on the scaffolding platforms ~ 2.5–5 m from the demolition of asbestos plates) during the first month of work 800–3000 f/m3; σ = 700 f/m3; “Personal samples” were in the range 20,000–70,000 f/m3 The distance of air sampling from the pipe destruction was 4–15 m Indoor contamination (inside the rooms) average 8000 f/m3 range 6000–20,000 f/m3; σ = 5000 f/m3; personal sample 20,000–80,000 f/m3 Tables 7 and 8 show the impact of the demolished building-type “MOA” (with friable asbestos) on the surroundings over a short period Outdoor air pollution, generated during the disassembly of the ACM at a distance of 15–80 m from the pollution source, had values about 3–7 times lower than indoor air (Fig. 1a) the maximum “area sample” contamination measured here This means that the giant pollutant stream was dispersed in the internal and the external environment of the building The residual volume outside at a distance of 15 m from the source was only ≈ 2000 f/m3 In Case 1, the graph of indoor air pollution changes is a polynomial function and is presented in Fig. 1b. It estimates the average concentration and contamination trend changes in this building during periods of renovation. Coloured points indicate the location of indoor samples at different distances from the dismantling walls. (a) Changes of asbestos concentration [f/m3] in outdoor and indoor air over 100 days The break-in work occurred between the 28th and the 32-nd day The analysis and general trend of indoor air changes during the progress of asbestos removal and the trend of changes in asbestos fibre concentration inside the building are based on averaging momentary values The course of changes in the concentration of asbestos in the air during the demolition of a building containing ACM and trend lines of changes in pollution in various environments (a) Dismantling the sandwich walls containing panels covered with the asbestos-cement board on both sides The trend line of changes in pollution in outdoor air in the vicinity of large buildings with ACM removal as a function of distance from the asbestos fibre source (x-axis [m]; y-axis [f/m3]) (b) Dismantling only façade panels containing asbestos-cement boards (x-axis [m]; y-axis [f/m3]) The highest fibre concentration was restricted when removing friable products in the working zones of a “LIPSK” type building (up to approx In similar work carried out in a smaller “MOA” building the fibre concentration value was ≈ 10 times lower This was the result of unsealing the interior of the building by removing the windows and the flat roof During minor renovation works (painting the walls without asbestos removal ) of the interior of a “BERLIN” type building carried out without ACM protection using the required techniques the level of asbestos fibres in the air was equal to the level during the destruction of ACM products in the “MOA” building Buildings type “MOA” and “BERLIN” are similar in size number and type of friable and non-friable ACM During the destruction and movement of non-friable (asbestos-cement) products—cases 1 and 3 the concentration of asbestos fibres in the indoor air was at a similar level of 7000–8000 f/m3 showed concentrations in the range of 20,000–80,000 f/m3 The destruction of non-friable products does not necessarily mean a low risk of released dust and depends on the characteristics of the environment the possibility of dust dispersion in the environment and the scale and type of work (see Appendix 1) The common characteristic fault in the discussed cases 1–5 is the general problem in the correct preparation of the work zone The practice of work may differ from theoretical procedures often had a lack of negative pressure in the work zone and a lack of air filtering units inside this zone blowing the filtered air outside the facility This condition led to the dispersion of fibre emissions outside the work area and therefore in the worker's breathing zone the supply of outside air was as free as in an open space outside the building and lowered the fibre concentration the concentration of these fibres increased in the surroundings This is a natural effect of the transport of all asbestos dust and fibres in the air A large spread of the results of the fibre concentration characterized all cases in the described rooms In the air surrounding the building at a distance of about 10–15 m the increase in pollution from the leak (cases 1 and 5) was delayed by at least one day and the maximum values of fibre concentration reached 2000–2200 f/m3 The changes in concentration described are due to the rapid dispersion of asbestos dust An example of the dispersion of asbestos fibre-borne concentration is the penetration of asbestos dust into the interior of buildings with closed windows (probably through doors unswitched ventilation sytem or unsealing of windows by users in Case 2): building with removed facade Case 2 (increase in the concentration of asbestos dust in the indoor air due to the proximity of the emission source) Despite the complete lack of appropriate technique the asbestos fibre concentration limits for workers are not exceeded due to the unsealing of the building by removing windows and the roof This results in the exposure of occupants of operational and renovated buildings to unknown levels of concentrations of asbestos dust Comparison of pollution in “LIPSK”-type buildings with execution errors causing leakage from the work area and results of minor renovation (renovation plastering and painting of internal walls) with a lack of knowledge of employees about the presence of asbestos in renovated walls A Building with intact ACM products (not renovated) in good technical condition; B Building a few years after standard renovation and adaptation work C Rooms not renovated adjacent to asbestos dismantling carried out in a single room after several months; D Premises during the commencement of works a few weeks after the commencement of asbestos dismantling—before the main asbestos removal phase; F Rooms after asbestos removal and final cleaning; E Rooms outside the hermetic work zone of ACM and leakage; G Rooms after asbestos removal about two/three years after completion of disassembly H Premises of the BERLIN building (smaller version of the LIPSK building) undergoing small-scale renovation (renovation plastering and painting of internal walls) Workers' lack of knowledge of the presence of asbestos in renovated walls There was no central system for protecting the building against asbestos fiber emissions during the deterioration and destruction of friable asbestos products Differences in asbestos fibre concentrations during operation and asbestos removal are presented in several examples in the literature data below and corresponding to the author’s data in Table 10 A number of studies in this area for various activities or demolitions were confirmed by numerous works and were described by the team’s of authors Lange and Thomulka They have similar literature results in a wide range of air pollution values < 300–5000 f/m3 The values reported by different researchers may vary significantly because they depend on the analysis and sampling techniques and the types of matrix in the ACM products But why does one group of values (indoor air used building) the remaining two types of tests (indoor air during asbestos removal) requiring lower sensitivity with a much higher concentration of fibres at the point of destruction of ACM products are at least a dozen times lower than the relevant literature data that the reason for the lower (underestimated) values of asbestos fibre concentrations recorded during the works examined by the author is not the effect of the perfection of asbestos removal work but their specific error of dismantling works It is generally accepted that higher concentrations of asbestos dust are generated during the destruction of friable than non-friable products and such as the ability to disperse dust and the characteristics of the building itself The concentration does not always correspond to the visual observation of the scale of ACM damage because some parameters of emission are not measured or measurable (e.g the time between ACM destruction and the air tests degree of intensity of use of the room—which translates into vibrations and air movement enabling re-emission of settled dust) building features) are usually not recorded during sampling But levels several times (or more) higher in buildings with improper asbestos dismantling do not represent standard of exposure to asbestos for general population In the case of staff and maintenance workers these can be exposures close to occupational exposure sometimes According to the mesothelioma risk studies cited "the incidence is proportional to the concentration of fibres to which workers were exposed and the time since first exposure (…)." The results of air pollution "area measurements" aimed at evaluating changes in outdoor and indoor air during asbestos removal are dependent on many factors and sampling conditions they are not able to reproduce the actual existing contamination levels in buildings during asbestos removal lowering them as compared to the real values caused by the emission present The lack of sufficient negative pressure in the working area results in contaminants being dispersed throughout the building It lowers the concentrations in the work area transferring the contamination and hazard to other areas of the building and outside the building This makes it impossible to reliably assess the effectiveness of the work the concentration of asbestos fibres varies greatly across its entire volume The main reason is that the asbestos fibres are dispersed over a large volume For the assessment of the state of contamination of such a volume traditional sampling techniques are not representative because the air that differs significantly in different parts of the room cannot be averaged (mixed) and the free access to the outside air lowers the asbestos fibre value at the place of its formation the excessive volume of the work area lowered and falsified the workers’ exposure more than 60 times the "low concentration" values obtained from such "surface" measurements were unreliable for assessing the quality of work Reported indoor air research results from the work zone in the case of the lack of negative pressure without documented sampling conditions and contractor working methods can falsely suggest a high standard of work quality there is a risk of obtaining “good results” from air testing which was made after poorly performed work the effects of faulty asbestos removal disappear fairly quickly when the work is stopped after a few hours or days (depending on the activity of the source of the contamination) The concentration of asbestos fibres in the interior space of a building decreases with time The course of the trend depends to a large extent on the air exchange in the building The measured concentrations of contamination from the facade or roof of such objects do not transfer from the sources at a distance of more than 10–15 m from them regardless of the distance from the area of poorly performed work may be exposed to the value 0.2 OEL (0.2 × 0.1 f/ml) In the case of large-scale destruction of ACM products in external walls and building facades there is a risk of asbestos fibers leaking into the interior of rooms that are not subject to renovation This may be caused by the exchange of internal air and the minimum distance of these rooms from dust emission sources or the tightness of windows Each disassembly of ACM-s temporarily causes a significant increase in asbestos pollution in the work zone and its vicinity the asbestos removal process in a building does not affect the indoor air of adjacent buildings with closed windows as the asbestos fibre concentration drops sharply with increasing distance from the source and over time The asbestos removal process is an activity with a high risk of asbestos dust hazard and should only be undertaken using the most effective environmental protection measures If improper removal of asbestos may cause contamination it should be carried out under specialist supervision or in the absence of appropriate opportunities A2 and A3 in appendix A) are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request] Kwak, K. et al. 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Med. 57, 49–55. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajim.22264 (2014) National Research Council of the National Academy of Science Asbestiform fibres: Non-occupational health risks Goldberg, M. & Danièle, L. The health impact of nonoccupational exposure to asbestos: What do we know?. Eur. J. Cancer Prev. 18(6), 489–503. https://doi.org/10.1097/CEJ.0b013e32832f9bee (2009) Gary, M. et al. Non-occupational exposure to asbestos and risk of pleural mesothelioma: Review and meta-analysis. Occup. Environ. Med. 74(11), 838–846. https://doi.org/10.1136/oemed-2017-104383 (2017) Air Quality Guidelines for Europe Second Edition WHO Regional Publications Download references The corresponding author is also the sole author of the submitted article The author declares that he is the sole author of the work he is also the corresponding author and responsible for all elements of the manuscript preparation The percentage of the author's contribution to the development of all elements of the manuscript (drawings preparation of the manuscript text) is 100% of the contribution The author declares no competing interests Download citation DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-70631-z Sign up for the Nature Briefing: Anthropocene newsletter — what matters in anthropocene research An Auckland school has stopped its children going on beach trips after alarm at bits of building material with asbestos in it washing up Almost 200 schools were sent a warning sign by the Education Ministry earlier this week we have taken the step to discontinue any trips that involve direct contact with our local beaches until such time that we know it is safe to return to those spaces," said principal Dr Paul Crowhurst Thousands of small pieces of asbestos-containing fibre cement board have been littering the sand around Tāmaki Estuary on various beaches very concerned residents," said the chair of Tāmaki Estuary Protection Society "We've been aware of this material washing onto the beach for some years but hadn't realised that it wasn't being investigated." The council says it cleaned up Glendowie and Karaka beaches recently and that the risk was "negligible" is considered extremely low to beach-users but we are taking a precautionary approach," said its general manager of licensing and compliance The material was "non-friable" - not causing dust that could become airborne which is when asbestos gets dangerous and can kill if inhaled "We are continuing to inform the Medical Officer of Health and receive advice .. was monitoring other beaches to see if the problem was widespread and is advising people not to touch the material which are mostly pieces smaller than the palm of a hand It recently removed the material from beaches in Glendowie and Karaka Some locals feel the council is not taking it seriously enough "The council has made no attempt to contact any local schools ECE [early childhood education] groups or community groups that use these areas," said one local about the situation prior to the notices that went out this week The ministry said it notified 197 schools as a "duty of care" "We are aware that local schools and Early Childhood Centres use these areas including for beach clean-ups," it emailed them on Tuesday It told RNZ that its assessment of the level of risk was based on Auckland Council's confirmation that asbestos was present in debris form which could be easily picked up or handled "Considering the curious nature of children it therefore warranted informing nearby schools and Early Childhood Centres." The council had alerted the ministry earlier this week Locals say they first alerted the council in 2021 but then in steady manner since early February this year Old fibre-cement board is a common source of asbestos. It is called Class B and is less likely to release dangerous fibres into the air than other types - unless, as WorkSafe advice states "it is disturbed or has started to deteriorate" It is not clear where the asbestos-containing material is coming from and the council said it was still trying to find out; locals speculate it may be from old or demolished houses as far upstream as Mt Wellington or possibly being exposed as wakes hit the shore from more and more boating "We are very keen to see Auckland Council find the source clean up the contamination and keep the public well informed," Chambers said The estuary society has called a public meeting for 29 May with a talk by an asbestos expert The council told a local that public health authorities agreed the beach bits were "mostly wet and in relatively small quantities .. any exposure to asbestos airborne fibres would be negligible and well below the asbestos guidelines" But Chambers said if the material washed up above the high-tide mark it would dry out and she would be very cautious going near it This did not auger well for the society's regular beach clean-ups while the beaches had been part of its curriculum for over 70 years The council's own routine advice on its website says households and businesses must arrange for tests if they think they have any asbestos-containing material and dispose of any using a certified removal company "All forms of asbestos are harmful to humans" "I'd like to see a proper investigation carried out by experts and something published [so] that we're all aware "I hope that there will be a concerted effort to deal with this issue and to get our beaches back clean again "We want to be able to go to the beach and feel safe and just enjoy the the shoreline." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday The neighbours closest to the affected building had lost trees planted decades ago An Auckland school's efforts to get rid of asbestos has been so tough its principal thought of quitting the job The council plans to dig up 1000 cubic metres of materials as it tries to clear a dump site More than half of Auckland's rubbish gets dumped at one landfill where waste is turned into energy to power homes and grow food New Zealand RSS Follow RNZ News Colla was diagnosed with biphasic pleural mesothelioma so I never lived through renovations of houses I just went to really old schools and old community centers here,” Colla explains “I've been exposed to asbestos somewhere in the city makes it almost impossible to pinpoint the “where” and “when.” Regular use of baby powder is common amongst racialized women — but this isn’t a coincidence. Baby powder was initially marketed to mothers for diaper changes. But when studies in the 1950s revealed the health risks of breathing in talc, Johnson & Johnson shifted their advertising focus to young women as a “simple feminine way to smell clean and fresh” — perpetuating the misogynistic myth that vaginas are dirty — and to Black and Hispanic women capitalizing on the racist stereotype that women of colour are inherently unclean “They knew that they had asbestos in their product and they still sold it,” Sheila Colla explains “We had baby powder in our house for 12 years — maybe I was exposed that way.” Now Colla is considering joining others pursuing legal action against the company The responsibility of avoiding exposure cannot fall on the individual; it is our governments’ responsibility Health Canada claims that asbestos in building materials is not dangerous if left undisturbed and suggests that anyone doing renovations or activities that may disturb the asbestos should hire asbestos testing and removal professionals But how will that prevent everyday asbestos exposures like walking past (or living and working near) active construction sites including by replacing asbestos-cement pipes it is quite possible that asbestos-contaminated talc products are on Canadian shelves as we speak Health Canada needs to take concrete action now to get asbestos out of our buildings as well as expand mesothelioma research to include younger people and women Colla is currently undergoing immunotherapy at Princess Margaret hospital because the numbers are based on 70-plus year-old males,” says Colla “I was a newly tenured professor at the height of my career I have two small kids who are very worried about me I can’t plan more than three weeks in advance if I’ll be able to get out of bed or not.” You can donate to Sheila Colla’s GoFundMe campaign here Kanisha Acharya-Patel (she/her) is an intersectional feminist Anna-Liza Badaloo (she/her) is a health equity writer, environmental justice educator, and founder of Anemochory Consulting Sign In Subscribe Now The Town of Qualicum Beach will re-allocate some funds earmarked for Rupert Road Water Looping Capital Project to address replacement of leaking water valves and a segment of asbestos cement watermain on First Avenue and Rye Road The re-allocation of $30,000 was requested by director of finance Raj Hayre and approved by council at its regular meeting on Oct The leaking water valves and asbestos pipe cross were noted during a planned installation of a speed hump/crosswalk There is no budget provision in the 2024-2028 financial plan to replace the valves and pipes Staff indicated it would be prudent to carry out repairs to leaking valves and replace the AC watermain prior to installing the speed hump/crosswalk and suggested drawing some funds from the $1.5M budget for the Rupert Road Water Looping Project, approved in the 2024-2028 Financial Plan Dialogue and debate are integral to a free society and we welcome and encourage you to share your views on the issues of the day. We ask that you be respectful of others and their points of view, refrain from personal attacks and stay on topic. To learn about our commenting policies and how our community-based moderation works, please read our Community Guidelines Horrified golf club members have demanded explanations from management after learning the cost of cleaning up an illegal asbestos dump could top €1m Kilkenny Golf Club has been served with an enforcement order requiring removal of the waste which came from a house and sheds it demolished without permission Join the Irish Independent WhatsApp channel PETALING JAYA: Even two decades after Malaysia banned asbestos in government buildings the hazardous material remains a silent threat Despite its well-documented carcinogenic risks asbestos continues to be widely used in private construction and industrial sectors Malaysians – especially those in vulnerable communities – will continue to face life-threatening health consequences Even low-level or brief exposure to asbestos can cause severe Negeri Sembilan-based Safe Asbestos Sdn Bhd managing director Hisham Yahaya said asbestos is still commonly found in older homes particularly in ceiling boards and roofing sheets and remains in use across various industries The problem is people often do not realise they’re being exposed “Many simply break it apart and dispose it improperly He added that although safer alternatives such as metal roofing cellulose fibre boards and modern insulation materials are available “Industries and small contractors often choose the cheapest option Without financial support or strict enforcement International Islamic University Malaysia Department of Community Medicine associate professor Dr Muhammad Zubir Yusof said part of the issue lies in regulatory gaps and inconsistent enforcement a particularly dangerous form known for its fine “The ban was extended to all government building projects by 2005 But this restriction doesn’t apply to the private sector is still allowed in products such as brake pads.” Also an expert in environmental and occupational health and safety research he added that the continued use of asbestos – particularly crocidolite – is largely driven by its low cost and durability compared with alternatives such as cellulose fibre cement sheets “While crocidolite is especially hazardous “There’s no such thing as safe asbestos exposure Both types can cause long-term health damage.” He called for an immediate nationwide ban on asbestos but stressed it must be accompanied by effective enforcement financial incentives to support the use of safer materials and stronger penalties for illegal use or mishandling.” he emphasised the need for public education “People in rural areas and those working in construction or manufacturing often don’t fully understand the risks culturally sensitive and tailored to vulnerable groups Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Specialist Centre respiratory physician Assoc Prof Dr Ng Boon Hau echoed these concerns “These microscopic fibres get lodged deep in the lungs and are nearly impossible for the body to remove.” He explained that long-term consequences include lung scarring and lung cancer are directly linked to asbestos exposure “These conditions can take decades to develop making early detection and treatment extremely difficult.” Ng also supported the call for a complete asbestos ban alongside stronger oversight of industries Employers must take their responsibilities seriously “They are legally and morally obligated to protect workers from harmful substances and that includes complying with guidelines from the Department of Occupational Safety and Health.” Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad announced that the government is considering a full asbestos ban He said the Department of Environment is studying the health and environmental impacts of industrial asbestos use and reviewing existing legislation to identify any gaps there have been no further updates on the proposal Tel: +603-7784 6688      Fax: +603-7785 2625 The web Browser you are currently using is unsupported and some features of this site may not work as intended Please update to a modern browser such as Chrome Firefox or Edge to experience all features Michigan.gov has to offer.  On March 24 the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) launched a new online notification system in MiEnviro Portal. This timing aligns with Global Asbestos Awareness Week (April 1-7) a time dedicated to educating the public about the dangers of asbestos exposure and the importance of proper asbestos management Asbestos is a hazardous material known to cause serious health issues.  Breathing asbestos fibers can cause a build-up of scar-like tissue in the lungs called asbestosis.  Asbestos can also cause cancer of the lung or other diseases such as mesothelioma or heart.   Asbestos can be found in building materials such as insulation Demolition or renovations may create exposure to asbestos fibers.  Proper handling and disposal are key to protecting public health asbestos inspectors play a vital role in enforcing the Asbestos National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (Asbestos NESHAP) These regulations apply to demolition and renovation activities ensuring that asbestos-containing materials are properly identified and disposed of in compliance with state and federal laws and monitor projects to prevent asbestos exposure and illegal disposal EGLE asbestos inspectors received over 95,000 asbestos demolition/renovation notifications and modifications to notifications in 2024 and conducted over 1,900 inspections EGLE’s new online notification system for asbestos will collect essential information on abatement projects monitor the transportation and disposal of asbestos-containing materials and facilitate fee collection.  Michigan’s new asbestos laws require contractors to pay a fee for each notification These laws take effect on April 2 and are aimed at strengthening asbestos oversight and safety.  The enhanced tracking will improve compliance and ensure that asbestos is safely managed throughout the state As Global Asbestos Awareness Week highlights the risks of asbestos exposure these new measures reinforce Michigan’s commitment to protecting public health and the environment and the public should stay informed and comply with regulations to minimize asbestos-related hazards EGLE-Assist@Michigan.gov GreenbergJ@Michigan.gov Michigan now has nearly 400 electric school buses Knowing more about your air quality can help you protect yourself and your family when air quality is poor Take the opportunity to learn about your local drinking water during Drinking Water Week Liz Browne will serve as an executive point of contact for resolving priority permitting issues and support multi-agency collaboration to streamline permitting processes Michigan has reached a new record-high rate for fourth year running The events will provide public hands-on opportunities to assess health of waterways The winning entries came from schools located in Beverly Hills Save the dates for these NotMISpecies webinars in the coming months There are now 358 certified green schools in Michigan for the 2024-2025 school year – 15 more than the previous school year Percentage of materials recycled reaches new high for fourth consecutive year Get personalized voter information on early voting and other topics Michigan.gov/Vote If you are looking to make a difference and be part of something greater, learn more about careers at EGLE and apply today Explore current vacancies An official website of the United States government https://www.nist.gov/news-events/news/2024/06/nist-researchers-identify-cheaper-more-convenient-method-detect-asbestos Images of asbestos fibers taken by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) a laboratory procedure known as transmission electron microscopy (TEM) has been used to test for asbestos in samples taken at construction sites Several states require or recommend using TEM for testing as part of asbestos removal in commercial buildings But TEM must be carried out in a specialized lab by highly trained staff and can be expensive Now, researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have determined that a third option, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), can achieve results roughly comparable to TEM. SEM is a “viable alternative to the current regulatory methods for asbestos identification and classification,” the NIST researchers Jason Holm and Elisabeth Mansfield wrote in a new paper published in Analytical Methods Since SEM is, in many cases, cheaper and more convenient than TEM, the finding could potentially speed up and reduce the expense of asbestos remediation in the United States, which costs an estimated $3 billion every year Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral whose fibers were used for insulation, weather- and fire-proofing and reinforcing building materials. Its use began declining in the 1970s as researchers became aware of its health risks, including its link to cancer. In March, the EPA banned the last form of asbestos still in use both TEM and SEM are types of electron microscopy technicians focus electron beams on a microscopic amount of material Electrons interact with the material to produce highly detailed information on the material’s composition This enables TEM to produce more detailed images and probe the surface’s interior TEM also offers much better spatial resolution — the ability to distinguish between objects very close together — than SEM SEM manufacturers have improved the technology’s imaging power and other capabilities Several companies now produce tabletop SEMs making it possible to use the technology in the field Holm said training to use and operate SEM equipment can be completed in several months while “expertise in TEM can take years to establish.” “There are some capabilities TEM has which SEM doesn’t but we think SEM is good enough” for use in asbestos abatement To test SEM on asbestos, Holm and Mansfield used NIST Standard Reference Material (SRM) 1866 a sample of asbestos fibers the agency produces for labs to benchmark their equipment and testing procedures The SRM comes with extensive data characterizing the properties of the material Their results closely agreed with those listed in the SRM’s documentation Holm and Mansfield summarized SEM’s potential advantages by writing that it could result in “lower equipment cost less stringent operator training requirements increased sample throughput and greater field of view compared to TEM.” Paper: Jason D. Holm and Elisabeth Mansfield. Transmission electron imaging and diffraction of asbestos fibers in a scanning electron microscope. Analytical Methods. Published online June 24, 2024. DOI: 10.1039/D4AY00555D She began her career in online business support publishing before migrating to medical and healthcare content in 2016 There may be a connection between exposure to asbestos and the likelihood of developing breast cancer A 2023 study looked at cases of asbestosis and malignancy in patients in China It found that some people had both asbestosis and breast cancer lung cancer with asbestosis was significantly more common The study determined that factors such as exposure before the age of 17 years and cigarette smoking increased the risk of cancer in people with asbestosis According to a 2022 study the number of breast cancer cases in females with asbestos exposure was similar to the number of cases in the reference cohort The reference cohort refers to individuals with no exposure to asbestos This could indicate that asbestos exposure does not significantly increase the risk of breast cancer According to Breast Cancer UK studies into the effects of asbestos on the risk of breast cancer are mixed Health experts suggest that this may be because people have historically been less likely to work in fields that use asbestos In some cases, it can take at least 20 years for cancer to develop following asbestos exposure even if they do not currently have any symptoms of breast cancer More research is necessary to assess further whether environmental or occupational exposure to asbestos increases a person’s risk of breast cancer