Asbestos Air Pollution

Abstract

Findings of mesothelioma among individuals living in the vicinity of asbestos plants suggested that asbestos air pollution might occur. Measurement of asbestos (chrysotile) content of ambient air in New York City and other locations showed levels of 10 to 50 × 10^-9 gm/cu m, and lungs of New York residents examined at autopsy regularly showed chrysotile fibrils. Occurrence of asbestos air pollution is now established. What have not yet been defined, however, are the dimensions of disease hazard which may be associated. Epidemiological considerations suggest that it is improper to equate the several kinds of asbestos exposure: direct occupational, indirect occupational, exposure in family circumstances, neighborhood contamination, and general community asbestos air pollution. Since most urban air pollution is derived from commercial and industrial sources, the asbestos industry has both important responsibility and opportunity for its control.