Natural and anthropogenic sources of atmospheric air pollution by asbestos fibers

Abstract

Introduction. Deposits of various types of asbestos are widespread in the earth’s crust. In these areas there may be a possibility of the atmospheric air pollution by asbestos fibers, especially in the case of industrial development of these deposits or active use by the resident population. The purpose of this study was to assess the possibility of air pollution by amphibole asbestos fibers in the areas of disused flooded quarries in Sverdlovsk region. Materials and methods. 5 samples of atmospheric air, water and soil were taken and analyzed at the territories in Sverdlovsk region where magnesio-arfvedsonite and anthophyllite were extracted in the past years. Results. An extremely high content of free fibers of magnesio-arfvedsonite and anthophyllite (up to 20% of the total weight of the samples) was discovered in the soil samples. The concentrations of asbestos fibers in the water averaged 67∙10 6 f/L and 79∙10 6 f/L, respectively. The average concentrations of respirable amphibole asbestos fibers were 0.06 f/ml and 0.05 f/ml, respectively. Limitations. The paper presents the results of a pilot study of air pollution by fibrous particles, based on which it is not possible to give a full description of the situation, taking into account all possible types of anthropogenic activity in the surveyed areas in different seasons of the year. Conclusion. The results obtained indicate an increased risk of air pollution and water environment contamination by free amphibole asbestos fibers due to their leaching and weathering from rocks, as a result of which disused flooded quarries should be considered as natural and anthropogenic sources of pollution. It is necessary to conduct regular monitoring of the environmental situation at these facilities, as well as to develop measures to prevent the exposure of amphibole asbestos fibers on the population.