Environmental Asbestos Exposure
Environmental asbestos exposure refers to a type of indirect exposure to the mineral. The cause may be naturally occurring asbestos or environmental pollution from a nearby industrial site. It excludes occupational (primary) exposure and secondary exposure, but it can be just as deadly.
Because asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral and is found throughout the world, environmental exposure has become an international problem. Any exposure to asbestos creates a risk of developing mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases.
Some studies found populations with local asbestos deposits have mesothelioma rates as high as those observed in asbestos workers. There, mesothelioma deaths account for as much as 22 percent of all cancer deaths. To understand more about the relationship between asbestos and mesothelioma, the Mesothelioma Center developed a free informational packet, which includes details about asbestos related illnesses, doctors and treatments. Fill out this form to get your packet sent to you overnight.
Studies have shown a strong correlation between amount of asbestos exposure and risk of developing mesothelioma. Cutting down the amount or likelihood of exposure could make a huge impact in long-term health. Government regulations over the past few decades have reduced some risks, but individuals who believe they may be living near environmental asbestos should still take precautions. Sticking to paved roads and wetting dirt before digging in yards are simple ways to avoid stirring up asbestos fibers. For more information about minimizing the risk of environmental asbestos exposure, complete the form on this page.
Environmental Asbestos Exposure Caused by Natural Asbestos Deposits
One 2003 study combined data found in five previous studies, examining the incidence of asbestos-related illnesses in Da-yao, China, a rural county found to have asbestos patches in surface soil. The study found that 20 percent of residents older than 40 had pleural plaques.
By the late 1990s, 22 new mesothelioma cases a year were diagnosed in the population of 68,000. Mesothelioma was one of the most common cancers in the population, accounting for 22 percent of all cancer deaths. Additionally, rates of lung cancer and asbestosis were significantly higher than average.
Percentage of Total Cancer Deaths Caused by Mesothelioma
Other studies have had similar findings. A 2005 study looked at 10 randomly selected villages in Anatolia, Turkey, all of which were known to use asbestos-containing soil. The study investigated a total of 991 villagers and found significantly higher-than-usual rates of pleural plaques, asbestosis, mesothelioma and all other asbestos-related illnesses.
The annual rate of mesothelioma diagnoses was calculated at 115 per 100,000 for men and 160 for women. Much like the findings in Da-yao, this study concluded that lifelong environmental asbestos exposure leads to disease frequencies similar to those found in asbestos workers.
Environmental Asbestos Exposure Caused by Nearby Asbestos Operations
Another study tested the effects of environmental exposure in a population living near an asbestos manufacturing plant. The 2009 study examined malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) rates in Shubra El-Kheima, Egypt, an industrial city containing the Sigwart Company asbestos plant. It compared rates in individuals working in the plant, those living near the plant and those in a control group with no known asbestos exposure. In total, the study had more than 4,000 participants.
In this particular study, the rate of MPM was highest in the group with environmental asbestos exposure, with 2.8 percent of this group having the cancer. The group with occupational exposure had a strikingly lower rate of only 0.8 percent. As expected, the control group had the fewest incidences, with a rate of 0.1 percent. These rates varied for other asbestos-related illnesses such as diffuse pleural thickening. Overall, the study found a slightly higher — but still comparable — rate of asbestos illnesses in asbestos workers than in nearby residents.
| Disorder | Percent Occupationally Exposed | Percent Environmentally Exposed | Percent Non-Exposed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Malignant pleural mesothelioma | 0.8 | 2.8 | 0.1 |
| Pleural plaques | 1.4 | 1.5 | 0.0 |
| Diffuse pleural thickening | 5.9 | 1.3 | 0.1 |
| Benign pleural effusion | 0.2 | 1.2 | 0.0 |
| Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis | 0.8 | 0.9 | 0.2 |
| Pericardial calcification | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.0 |
| Total | 9.4 | 8.3 | 0.4 |
| Data from a 2009 study in Egypt show a strong correlation between environmental asbestos exposure and asbestos-related diseases. | |||
Environmental Asbestos Exposure Lawsuits
Most asbestos-related lawsuits hinge on occupational exposure and resulting mesothelioma or asbestosis. Some cases are brought by family members of asbestos workers were exposed secondarily to the deadly mineral.
Few individuals or groups sued because of environmental exposure because unlike with other types of exposure, there is often no one responsible aside of nature. And even fewer cases, if any, have been brought in the United States.
One highlighted case came to a close in 2003. The lawsuit, filed in 1997, was brought by five South Africans against Cape PLC, an English company that mined and milled asbestos in South Africa in the 1970s. The group of plaintiffs, some of whom previously worked at Cape and some of whom lived in the area, argued that Cape knowingly exposed its South African workers to asbestos levels 30 times the British legal limit without providing protective gear. The group also claimed that those living in the vicinity were exposed to elevated levels of asbestos and later developed asbestos-related diseases.
Cape PLC repeatedly attempted to move the lawsuit to South Africa, but its requests were denied. This process took a few years, during which time more claimants sued. By 2001, the case involved 7,500 South Africans who had environmental or occupational asbestos exposure. The next year, the case was amended to include Gencor Ltd., a South African company that assumed Cape's asbestos operations in 1979. Eventually, the case was settled on three conditions: Cape paid out £7.5 million ($11.8 million) to the 7,500 claimants; Gencor paid out £3 million; and Gencor created a £35 million trust for future claimants.
More about Asbestos Related Litigation
Preventing Environmental Asbestos Exposure
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and local governments have worked to reduce the risk of environmental asbestos exposure in the United States. Federal and state laws were enacted to reduce commercial asbestos use significantly, which naturally cuts down the amount of environmental asbestos pollution.
Similar laws have been put into place in other countries to curtail asbestos use. Further government controls, such as zoning laws and construction permits, have been enacted to prevent and control the disruption of asbestos-containing soil or rock.
Still, individuals living near naturally occurring asbestos or near an environmental asbestos pollution site should be careful. No level of asbestos exposure has been found to be safe, but not everyone develops an asbestos disease after exposure.
Individuals with high levels of long-term exposure tend to have the highest rates of mesothelioma and related illnesses. So, even if you believe you've been exposed to the substance in the past, it is important to minimize the chance of further risk.
If you live in an area with naturally occurring asbestos, be particularly aware of dust and dirt. Everyday outdoor activities — such as digging in a garden or riding a bicycle on an unpaved road — can stir up asbestos fibers and release them into the air.
- Follow paved trails for walking, running, hiking and biking.
- Play only in outdoor areas with a ground covering such as rubber, asphalt or wood chips.
- Cover asbestos-containing soil in gardens and yards with asbestos-free soil.
- Wet garden areas before digging to reduce the risk of airborne asbestos fibers.
- Use a doormat so as to not bring in dirt on shoes.
- Keep windows and doors closed during high winds or nearby construction.
If you've had environmental exposure to asbestos, it is important to diligently monitor your health. Mesothelioma can have a latency period of up to 50 years, so be sure to get regular check-ups and tell your doctor about your concerns. For help finding a mesothelioma specialist, use the Doctor Match Program.
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© 2012 The Mesothelioma Center |
Last Modified Friday, April 27th, 2012 | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy |
The information provided by The Mesothelioma Center is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
Sponsored by a law firm concentrating in asbestos litigation, The Peterson Firm, LLP with offices at 1350 Connecticut Ave, NW, Fifth Floor, Washington DC 20036.
