Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
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Learning Objectives |
Upon completion of this section, you should be able to
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Introduction |
Exposure to asbestos can occur when asbestos-containing material (man-made or natural) is loose, crumbling, or disturbed, releasing asbestos fibers into the air and dust. Asbestos that is embedded or contained in undisturbed solid materials presents a negligible risk of exposure. The primary route of asbestos entry into the body is inhalation of air or dust that contains asbestos fibers. Asbestos can also enter the body via ingestion. With dermal exposure, asbestos fibers may lodge in the skin. |
Inhalation |
The air pathway is the most important route of exposure to asbestos, and the route that most commonly leads to illness. Exposure scenarios include inhalation of contaminated air and dust
The first four scenarios were common until the 1970s, when the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) began to regulate the industrial uses of asbestos and the Occupational Safety Health Administration (OSHA) developed workplace exposure standards (Seidman and Selikoff, 1990). Today, the last two scenarios are the more common because of declining use of asbestos in developed countries (British Thoracic Society 2001). |
Ingestion |
Ingestion—a minor pathway of exposure—occurs through
Asbestos levels in most water supplies are well below the EPA maximum contaminant level (MCL), so significant exposure by drinking water is uncommon. |
Skin |
Today, with the advent of personal protective equipment, dermal contact is rarely a significant exposure pathway. In the past, handling asbestos could result in heavy dermal contact and exposure. Asbestos fibers could become lodged in the skin, producing a callus or corn, but not more serious health effects. |
Key Points |
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Progress Check |