Asbestos Fiber Concentrations Research Articles

Historical Asbestos Measurements in Denmark-A National Database.

Objectives: Due to the long lag-time for health outcomes, historical asbestos exposure measurements are valuable to support assessments of associated occupational health effects, and also to assess time trends and effects of preventive measures. Methods: Different sources of stored data were collated, assessed and refined to create a harmonized database on historical asbestos fibre concentrations measured in specific work tasks and different industries. The final database contains 9236 asbestos measurements from Danish workplaces collected from 1971 to 1997. Results: The geometric mean of asbestos concentrations in different occupations and tasks ranged from 0.003 to 35 fibres cm−3. Highest concentrations were registered during handling of asbestos products in the construction services during the period 1981–1997. Although all the measured asbestos exposures without the use of respiratory equipment by the worker in the period of 1971–1997 exceeded the current 8-h time-weighted average exposure limit of 0.1 fibres cm−3, the majority of samples collected in the earlier period of 1971 to 1980 did not exceed the exposure limit of 2 fibres cm−3, which was in place at the time. All exposure data obtained from 1980 and onwards were found to be one seventh of the mean fibre concentrations in the previous measurement period. The impact of time shows a clear exponentially decreasing trend-line. Conclusions: Despite limitations in coverage of different occupations and tasks associated with the inventoried historical asbestos measurements, the data are helpful to identify specific work scenarios within an industry, where relatively high asbestos exposure levels may still occur or have occurred from 1971 to 1997.

The concentration of asbestos fibres during buildings exploitation analysis of concentration variability

The goal of the research was to determine of average asbestos dust values in different types of buildings and possible deviations from these values, when taking measurements in different rooms of the same building. Variability of fibres concentration was analyzed over short periods of time in different places of tested building. The study included various types of buildings containing asbestos, typical for Central and Eastern European countries with different construction. An analysis was made of the reasons for the diversity of dust concentrations ranging from < 300 to 16,000 fibres/m3 in connection with the building structure, asbestos location, degree of damage and intensity of building exploitation. Properly operated residential buildings containing asbestos inside outer sandwich walls features low concentration of dust < 300–400 f/m3. Novelty: Buildings not yet described by the literature were examined, as well as so-called emergency situations not related to the correct proceedings. This knowledge is necessary for the selection of technology in dismantling works and whether it is appropriate to remove asbestos from a given structure.

Trends in Airborne Chrysotile Asbestos Fibre Concentrations in Asbestos Cement Manufacturing Factories in Zimbabwe from 1996 to 2016.

Zimbabwe has two major factories that have been manufacturing chrysotile asbestos cement products since the 1940s. Exposure monitoring of airborne fibres has been ongoing since the early 1990s. This study examines trends in personal exposure chrysotile asbestos fibre concentrations for the period 1996–2016. Close to 3000 historical personal exposure measurements extracted from paper records in the two factories were analysed for trends in exposure. Exposure over time was characterised according to three time periods and calendar years. Mean personal exposure chrysotile asbestos fibre concentrations generally showed a downward trend over the years in both factories. Exposure data showed that over the observed period 57% and 50% of mean personal exposure chrysotile asbestos fibre concentrations in the Harare and Bulawayo factories, respectively, were above the OEL, with overexposure being exhibited before 2008. Overall, personal exposure asbestos fibre concentrations in the factories dropped from 0.15 f/mL in 1996 to 0.05–0.06 f/mL in 2016—a decrease of 60–67%. These results can be used in future epidemiological studies, and in predicting the occurrence of asbestos-related diseases in Zimbabwe.

Concentrations, spatial distribution, and human health risk assessment of asbestos fibers in ambient air of Tehran, Iran

The aim of current research was to determine airborne asbestos fiber concentrations in the ambient air of Tehran, and to investigate their spatial distribution, seasonal variation, and human health risk assessment. For this, the sampling of the study was carried out during August 2017 and June 2018, and totally, 64 samples were taken from 8 stations along the different areas of Tehran. The concentrations of airborne asbestos fibers were determined by phase contrast microscope (PCM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses. Spatial mapping was conducted using the inverse distance weighting (IDW) technique. The health risk assessment was done based on the detected levels of airborne asbestosis fibers. The mean concentrations of the airborne asbestos fiber were 1.9 × 10−3 f/ml and 595 × 10−3 f/ml based on PCM and SEM analyses, respectively. One of the effective factors on ambient level of asbestos fibers is meteorological parameters, where the maximum and minimum concentrations of asbestos fibers are related to cold and warm seasons, respectively. These differences could be due to the presence of inversions phenomenon in cold seasons in Tehran. It was observed that the excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) calculated for all the sampling areas are between 5.26 × 10−5 and 5.37 × 10−4. Based on the EPA-suggested standards (10−4–10−6), these values are categorized rather to moderate levels. The obtained data indicated no threat of asbestos fibers to Tehran’s citizens’ health.

Evaluation of restoration of an asbestos mine, in northern Greece, eight years after restoration works

This paper deals with the evaluation of rehabilitation of spoils depositions of asbestos mine MABE, Kozani, in northern Greece, eight years after restoration works. In order to succeed this, we monitored all the restoration actions during the period of restoration works, as well as during the post-restoration period of eight years after the end of restoration works. The evaluation showed that the mining area subjected to restoration is now characterized, eight years after restoration, by high land stabilization, satisfactory woody vegetation cover, low erosion risk, low concentration of asbestos fibres in the air and water, and furthermore it was aesthetically integrated in the surrounding landscape. Even though the great difficulties due to the huge pile of spoils depositions that had been created during mining, the selection of the specific restoration actions greatly contributed to the achievement of a sustainable post-mining environment. The suitable land transformation, and the satisfactory establishment of forest vegetation created a safe from asbestos fibres environment, and for a sustainable future land use of the previous mine area as forest, which in many cases is the most appropriate post-mining use for contaminated mining areas.

Asbestos in the ambient air from rural, urban, residential, baseball and mining areas in South Korea

Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous silicate that has been widely used as electrical insulator and heat-resistant material in buildings, yet inhalation of asbestos fibers can lead to serious lung diseases such as asbestosis and cancer. Practically no research has been conducted on the size distribution and morphological characteristics of airborne asbestos, and airborne asbestos concentrations in South Korea are unknown. Here we studied type, concentration, size, morphology and composition of asbestos fibers in the ambient air of several regions in South Korea. Asbestos concentrations were analyzed in 7 urban areas, 7 rural areas including agricultural and fishing areas, 17 mines and their surrounding areas, 7 residential areas constructed with asbestos-containing stones near rivers, 2 baseball fields and 2 background sites. Results show that the highest air asbestos concentrations were 0.00161 for residential areas and 0.00122 for baseball fields according to phase-contrast microscopy, and 0.00057 for asbestos mines and 0.00055 for baseball fields, according to transmission electron microscopy. Asbestos types included chrysotile, tremolite, and actinolite. Chrysotile fibers measured 5.24–35.5 µm in length with aspect ratios of 12.6–202.6; tremolite fibers measured 6.07–40.2 µm in length with aspect ratios of 5.7–81.2; and actinolite fibers measured 5.01–28.5 µm in length with aspect ratios of 3.2–108.9. Chrysotile was distributed in bundles or single fibers, whereas tremolite and actinolite exhibited fibrous, acicular, and cleavage forms.

Vinyl-Asbestos Floor Risk Exposure in Three Different Simulations.

Vinyl floors are widely used in public areas for their low cost and easy cleaning. From 1960 to 1980, asbestos was often added to improve vinyl floor performances. The Italian Ministerial Decree (M.D.) 06/09/94 indicates asbestos vinyl tiles as non-friable materials and, therefore, few dangerous to human health. This work aims to check through three different experimental tests if asbestos floor tiles, after decades of use, maintain their characteristics of compactness and non-friability. The effect of a small stone fragment stuck in the sole of rubber shoes was reproduced by striking the vinyl floor with a crampon. A vinyl tile was broken into smaller pieces with the aid of pliers to simulate what normally happens when workers replace the floors or sample it to verify the presence of asbestos. The third test reproduced the abrasion of the tile surface due to the dragging of furniture or heavy materials or sand grains that remain attached to the soles of shoes. The tests were carried out in safe conditions, working under an extractor hood with a glove box. Airborne sampling in the hood obtained the concentration of asbestos fibers produced in each test. The simulation tests performed confirms the possible release of fibers if the vinyl tiles are cut, abraded or perforated, as indicated by the Italian M.D.

Spatio-seasonal variation, distribution, levels, and risk assessment of airborne asbestos concentration in the most industrial city of Iran: effect of meteorological factors

Like other dangerous pollutants in the air, asbestos has negative and adverse effects on human and animal health. The present study is designed to determine the concentration of asbestos in the air of the most industrial city of Iran (Karaj) in 2018-2019. For this purpose, 4 samples were taken from different areas of the air of Karaj during a year with an SKC pump and flow of 6 L/min for 8 h and in 45 days, and a total of 68 samples of asbestos fibers were collected. Then, the samples were analyzed by phase-contrast microscope (PCM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Eventually, the health effects of asbestos fibers were evaluated by the IRIS EPA method. The average concentration of asbestos fibers was 1.84 f/L PCM and 18.16 f/L SEM. Also, the results of statistical correlation analysis indicated that asbestos fibers are positively correlated with wind speed but negatively correlated with the other three parameters (temperature, relative humidity, and pressure). On the other hand, the average annual risk of asbestos fiber in the ambient air of Karaj for all samples was in the range of 4.32 × 10-6 to 1.81 × 10-4 which in some places had more danger than the recommended risk range. According to the EPA guidelines, carcinogenicity acceptable levels are in the range of 10-4 and 10-6. Values higher than 10-4 have more carcinogenic risk and values lower than 10-6 have a lower carcinogenic risk.

Discrepancies of asbestos body and fiber content between formalin-fixed and corresponding paraffin embedded lung tissue

Background Formalin-fixed lung tissue and paraffin blocks containing peripheral lung tissue obtained from subjects with an occupational asbestos exposure are both regarded to be suitable to determine asbestos load. Because sample preparation of paraffin blocks requires a more intense treatment than formalin-fixed tissue, we tested whether asbestos analysis of formalin-fixed lung tissue and paraffin blocks obtained from the same patients deliver comparable results. Materials and methods We determined numbers of asbestos bodies (AB) and amphibole asbestos fibers (AF) in formalin-fixed lung tissue and corresponding paraffin blocks from 36 patients. For AB counts, samples were digested in sodium hypochlorite. For AF analysis, tissue was freeze-dried and then ashed. Results were reported as numbers of AB and AF per gram dry lung tissue. Results Both AB counts as well as AF counts were lower in paraffin blocks than formalin-fixed lung tissue. Compared to formalin-fixed tissue, the limit of detection was higher for paraffin blocks, rendering more results from paraffin blocks not interpretable than from formalin-fixed tissue (8 samples versus 1 for AB and 15 samples versus 4 for AF). Discussion and conclusion Asbestos analysis of paraffin blocks may lead to underestimation of asbestos exposure. This should be considered when assessing occupational asbestos exposure through lung dust analysis in medico-legal evaluation.

Monitoring of airborne asbestos fibers in an urban ambient air of Mashhad City, Iran: levels, spatial distribution and seasonal variations.

Asbestos, as with other pollutants in the air, has adverse effects on the health of human beings and animals. Today, the relationship between presence of asbestos fibers in the air breathed by humans and developing serious diseases such as lung cancer (asbestosis) and mesothelioma has been proven. The objectives of this study were to monitor the levels of asbestos fibers in ambient air of Mashhad, Iran during 2018, and to draw its Geographic Information System (GIS) distribution map for the city. In this descriptive study, 13 sampling points in Mashhad city were chosen. Sampling of asbestos was carried out for 3 hour during summer and winter at 2018. Sampling of asbestos was performed using MCE (Mixed Cellulose Ester) membrane filters (pour size 0.45µm; diameter: 25mm) and cassette holder and peripheral pump. The samples were the analyzed by the phase contrast microscopy (PCM) method (NIOSH7400). Also, to investigate the type of asbestos and for more accurate counting of fibers, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analysis was utilized. Meteorological parameter were recorded through portable devices. To draw the graphs, Excel, R and Arc GIS software were used. Results showed that the mean asbestos fiber concentrations were equal to 11.40 ± 2.14 and 14.38 ± 2.52 f/L in summer and winter, respectively. The maximum level of asbestos fiber was detected in the station of Baitolmoghaddas square by 26.64 ± 2.14 and 19.3 SEM f/L in winter and summer, respectively. High concentration of asbestos fiber observed in this study can be attributed to the heavy traffic, the presence of prominent industries in the vicinity of the study area, and topographic features. The results from this research recommends that suitable controlling policies should be regulated to reduce both ambient air asbestos and its adverse health endpoints in Mashhad.

Characterization of Demolition Construction Waste Containing Asbestos, and the Release of Fibrous Dust Particles

This paper focuses on the characterization of demolition construction waste containing asbestos fibers and the monitoring of fibrous dust released from asbestos–cement products (ACPs) during their removal from a three-story industrial building. Asbestos-containing products removal was carried out according to a demolition management system in terms of protection of workers. The results of a chemical analysis, X-ray diffraction analysis, infrared analysis and scanning electron microscopy of demolition waste samples confirmed the same material quality of asbestos–cement (AC) elements used throughout the building. In addition, a MgO/SiO2 ratio corresponding to a serpentine silicate mineral of chrysotile was detected by means of X-ray fluorescence analysis. Also, crystalline phase calcium silicates and calcium carbonates from the cement matrix were identified in the AC waste. The relatively large differences in the elemental analysis between the sample area and the individual points found by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopic mapping are related to the composition heterogeneity. The highest content of magnesium occurs where asbestos fibers predominate in the cement matrix. The measured number concentrations of asbestos fibers before, during, and after asbestos–cement products removal were compared to outdoor concentrations. Indoor concentrations of asbestos fibers during the removal of AC materials did not exceed the permissible limit for a working environment (1000 fibers per one m3), except in three spots out of all the working sites inside the building. A relationship between the number and mass concentrations of asbestos dust is shown.

Asbestos Exposure of Chrysotile Miners and Millers in Balangero, Italy.

The largest chrysotile mine in Western Europe was active in Balangero (Italy) from 1917 to 1990. We quantitatively assessed exposure to asbestos in the framework of a cohort study on mortality of Balangero miners and millers. Using documents filed at the Italian State Archive we reconstructed the job-histories of cohort members. The concentration of asbestos fibres by work-area was derived from industrial hygiene surveys since 1968 and monitoring programs since 1975. Earlier exposures had been estimated based on the experimental reconstruction of past working conditions. In the mine concentrations of about 20 fibres per millilitre (f/ml) were initially present, decreasing to 5 in the mid-1950s and to <1 in late 1970s. In milling areas higher levels were present and did not fall below 1 f/ml until the mid-1980s. Cumulative exposure of cohort members, as the sum over their job-history of their year- and area-specific exposures, were <10 fibre/millilitre years (f/ml-y) in 18% of workers, 10-100 in 32%, 100-1000 in 37%, and >1000 in 13%. Compared with recently published estimates for the Russian chrysotile mine in Asbest, fibre concentrations in Balangero were higher during the 1950s and 1960s. Such difference may be partly accounted for by difficulties in converting dust measurements to fibre concentrations in the Russian study and the need to rely on the experimental reconstruction of exposures before 1968 in our study.

Wild rats as urban detectives for latent sources of asbestos contamination

Based on a large body of evidence asbestos minerals have been classified as carcinogens. Despite the Italian ban on asbestos in 1992 and the subsequent remediation activities, latent sources of contamination may still represent a hazard where asbestos were particularly used. Using wild rats as sentinel animals, this study aimed at uncovering sites with the greatest potential for non-occupational exposure to asbestos in the city of Casale Monferrato (Piedmont Region, Italy), where the largest Italian manufacturing plant of asbestos-cement had been active.During the study period (2013–2015) a total of 40 wild rats were captured from 16 sampling capture points. The lungs of wild rats have been investigated by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The SEM-EDS detected the presence of asbestos fibers (tremolite/actinolite, amosite, and chrysotile) in rats' lungs from 11 sampling points. The hypothetical rats' home-range and the observed site-specific concentration of asbestos fibers per gram of dry lung tissue were used to identify areas to be targeted by additional search of latent sources of asbestos.In conclusion, our results showed that the use of wild rats as sentinel animals may effectively integrate the strategies currently in use to reduce the exposure to asbestos.

Spatio-temporal variations of asbestos fibres levels in ambient air of a densely populated and industrialized city of Iran

ABSTRACTAsbestos fibre is one of the hazardous pollutants that may present in urban air. The aim of this study was to determine the concentration of asbestos fibres in the ambient air of urban areas of Isfahan, second industrialised and densely populated city of Iran, and to evaluate their spatial-temporal variation. Sampling was carried out from eleven points covering traffic areas of the Isfahan city during cold and warm seasons (winter and summer) in 2015. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) coupled to an energy dispersive x-ray (EDX) system was utilised to count and identify the asbestos fibres. Spatial mapping was carried out using the inverse distance weighting (IDW) method. Seasonal geometry meansof the concentration of airborne asbestos fibres in the studied regions were 14.48 ± 5 and 9.34 ± 4.90 SEM f/L in winter and summer, respectively, which was higher than the WHO guideline (2.2 SEM f/L‏).‏There was a significant correlation between the concentration of asbestos fibres and atmospheric temperature and humidity (p < 0.05). Also, the spatial distribution maps of asbestos fibres showed that the eastern area of Isfahan was more polluted than the western areas. Heavy traffic showed major contribution in the asbestos fibre emissions. Therefore, some effective course of actions such as traffic management, industrial replacement should be taken to regulate airborne asbestos fibres emission.

Quantifying asbestos fibers in post-disaster situations: Preventive strategies for damage control

When buildings that contain asbestos collapse, harmful asbestos fibers can spread in large quantities. It is critical to control this scattering as quickly as possible to protect residents and workers. Rescue and recovery operations in post-disaster situations usually take a lot of time. Therefore, experiments were conducted to evaluate and control the scattering of asbestos fibers. First, the concentration of asbestos fibers released from broken pieces of asbestos cement roofing sheet (ACRS) was measured over time. Next, the broken pieces were classified into three groups (A: no coating, B: water coating; C: asbestos stabilizer coating) and the amount of asbestos fiber released over time was measured to determine the efficiency of asbestos fiber control using water and asbestos stabilizer. The concentration of asbestos fibers generated from broken ACRS was 0.162 f/cc on average. The asbestos fiber control efficiencies of water and asbestos stabilizer showed similar patterns in the early stage. However, the efficiency of the water coating rapidly decreased after 9 h, whereas the asbestos stabilizer coating showed high efficiency even after 36 h. The results of this study will contribute to the establishment of plans for protecting workers and survivors more safely in disaster sites while controlling asbestos fibers.

Cytological analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in asbestos-exposed workers.

Background:Asbestos-related lung diseases are a group of heterogeneous disorders with different pathogenesis and prognosis. Very few studies investigated the BALF cell profile of asbestos exposed workers. The existence of a relationship between bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) cellular pattern and specific diagnosis and/or asbestos exposure biomarkers would allow the identification of effect biomarkers useful in the follow up of asbestos-exposed workers and in the diagnosis of asbestos-related diseases.Objectives:To assess BALF cell profile in formerly asbestos-exposed workers and its relationship with asbestos fibre (amphibole and chrysotile) and asbestos body (AB) concentrations.Methods:113 male workers formerly exposed to asbestos underwent bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage and were retrospectively enrolled. 35 of them were affected by pleural plaques and 10 were affected by asbestosis. Pulmonary functional tests (PFT), BALF cellular pattern, BALF mineralogical analysis with asbestos fibres and AB counting were performed in each patient. A statistical analysis with a multivariate linear regression model was adopted.Results:From the statistical analysis of data a direct correlation between pack-years and BALF macrophages was found. Inversely correlation between pack-years and BALF lymphocytes was detected. There was not relationship among BALF cellular pattern, PFT values, specific diagnosis, BALF AB count or BALF asbestos fibre concentration.Discussion:BALF cellular pattern does not seem to be related to asbestos exposure biomarkers like AB and asbestos fibre concentration in BALF. Instead, smoke habit can induce an increase in BALF macrophages and a decrease of BALF lymphocytes count.

Research on Decorative and Integrated Thermal Insulation Board for External Wall

With the acceleration of globalization, industrialization and informatization, the consumption of energy resources is increasing, and the building energy consumption accounts for about 30%, so the building energy conservation has become an important part of energy conservation and emission reduction. At the same time of economic development, we should reduce building energy consumption and do a good job in building energy conservation [1], and put forward the following ways: the improvement of building’s own heat preservation and insulation performance; the improvement of energy utilization system efficiency such as electricity and heating; the development and utilization of new energy; and the proper management of energy utilization equipment system. Among them, the most effective way is to improve the thermal insulation performance of the building itself. The thermal insulation of enclosure and the air tightness of doors and windows are two important parts of thermal insulation. According to the relevant data [2], the heat loss of enclosure structure accounts for 40-50% of the building energy consumption, and the heat loss of wall structure accounts for about 70%. Therefore, the improvement of the thermal insulation requirements of the wall structure plays a huge role in building energy conservation In this paper, the experimental research on the exterior wall thermal insulation board of decoration and heat preservation integration is carried out. The influence of fly ash content, asbestos fiber content, composite active activator, waterproof agent and other additives on the physical properties of fiber-reinforced fly ash / cement board is discussed. The optimal content of various factors is determined and its mechanism is analyzed. The optimum proportion of fiber reinforced fly ash / cement board was determined by orthogonal test.

Determination of Airborne Concentration and Type of Asbestos Fibers in High-Traffic Areas of Zahedan City

Background:Asbestos fibers are one of the hazardous air pollutants in high-traffic areas of cities. This study was conducted during summer 2016 with the aim of determining the concentration and type of asbestos fibers in the air of high-traffic areas of Zahedan, Iran. Methods: In this descriptive, cross-sectional study, 4 high-traffic and 2 traffic-free areas of Zahedan were chosen. Ambient air samples were collected according to the NIOSH 7400 method, with a flow rate of 2 l/m and 4 hours per day. The asbestos fiber in the samples were analyzed with the use of Phase-Contrast optical Microscopy (PCM) and Scanning Electronic Microscopy (SEM). Results:The mean and standard deviation of asbestos contamination density in high-traffic areas were 0.0012 (0.0004) f/cc and 0.0012, respectively, which were higher than the threshold limit value (TLV). In traffic-free areas with mean and standard deviation of 0.0003 ± 0.0003 f/cc the asbestos concentration was lower than the allowed limits. To check the normality of data Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was used (p&lt; 0.05). The results of Kruskal-Wallis test showed that there is a meaningful difference between the means of the two measured groups (p&lt; 0.001). The types of asbestos fibers based on EDS spectrums and electron microscope images were actinolite, tremolite, and chrysotile. Conclusion: The findings of the present study indicated that the concentration of asbestos fibers in the sampleswas higher than the WHO standards for ambient air (0.00005 PCM f/ml). The use of asbestos fibers in car brake and clutch, as well as in asbestos cement sheet and insulation in buildings are among the most important sources of air pollution in the city.

The Concentration of Asbestos Fibers in Bulk Samples and Its Variation with Grain Size

The aim of this work was to establish whether asbestos fibers homogeneously occur in the different fractions ground from naturally occurring asbestos lithotypes, and to calculate the contribution of fibers from each fraction to the overall concentration in the sample. Serpentinite, metabasalt, calc-schist, clay, debris material, and soil, were addressed. Grain size fractions below 20 mm were sieved at 2 mm and 0.106 mm; they were then were mechanically milled to obtain powders below 0.106 mm. The three powdered fractions were characterized using a scanning electron microscope coupled with energy dispersive spectroscopy following M.D. 06/09/94. The still in use (in some cases), Italian normative M.D. 161/2012 specifies that analyses must be performed on the &lt;2 mm fraction and the concentration (mg/kg) correlated with the weight of the whole sample &lt;20 mm. However, the fiber counts yielded asbestos concentrations 50–60% lower compared with total asbestos analyses according to the new R.P.D. 120/2017. Consequently, there is a need to standardize the normative worldwide regulations for the management of asbestos-containing materials, by re-evaluation of sample preparation and quantification of asbestos.

Environmental and Occupational Exposure to Asbestos as a Result of Consumption and Use in Poland.

Asbestos is harmful to human health; exposure to asbestos causes a wide range of asbestos-related diseases. Aim: Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is unique to occupational and environmental asbestos exposure. Methods: Environmental asbestos exposure was examined in relation to asbestos use and manufacturing, the quantity of the asbestos-containing products still in use, the concentrations of asbestos fibres in the air and the number of MM cases diagnosed each year per county. Results: The correlation coefficient of the measurements of the asbestos fibre concentrations in the air and the quantity of asbestos-cement products in use is high and amounts to 0.68. Meanwhile, the correlation coefficient of the measurements of asbestos fibre concentrations in air and MM morbidity rate resulting from environmental exposure calculated for particular counties in provinces is low and amounts to 0.37. The highest MM morbidity rate was observed for Małopolskie and Śląskie, a typical industrial area of Poland. Conclusions: There are MM cases which are still attributable to occupational asbestos exposure, although MM cases resulting from environmental exposure to asbestos have an increased MM risk. Poland is among those countries with a low MM incidence rate, which seems to be an underestimation of environmental asbestos exposure. As long as asbestos-cement products are used in the environment, actions should be undertaken to protect public health.