Asbestos Deposits Part of Nature

Article Added July 18th, 2006 - Print This Story - Bookmark This Story

When a person thinks of the dangers of asbestos, they have visions of demolished buildings and things that are rotting. Rarely do people realize that asbestos is a natural mineral and can be found even in your home garden.

At the mention of asbestos, most people think of the news stories about mesothelioma, asbestosis and emphysema. The culprits are thought to be decaying buildings, deteriorating insulation and big companies that hide the fact that they use or handle asbestos. What people don’t realize is that by playing basketball or gardening, they might be exposing themselves to natural asbestos. The results are much the same; inhaling the fibers can result in an array of diseases, mostly affecting the respiratory system.

As a naturally occurring mineral, asbestos deposits can be as harmful as refined asbestos. If a natural deposit is disturbed, even by an activity as wholesome as biking, a personal storm of asbestos fibers may be the result. California has the largest number of near-surface asbestos deposits, as well as some of the most populous cities, a very hazardous equation. Near-surface deposits also occur in 19 other states, with the second largest in Virginia ; the area of the deposit has undergone heavy development in the last few years. Local governments are often sluggish to take action about the sites, though the federal government is now trying to do something about the issue.

Article Added July 18th, 2006 - Print This Story - Bookmark This Story