Asbestos contamination from older concrete pipes and damaged or aging building materials raises concerns about the deadly fibers making their way into the water supply.

The perils of asbestos exposure are often related to workers who find themselves at risk in various industries. Sometimes, however, the dangers of asbestos hits close to home. So close, that the simple act of pouring a glass of water could kickstart a future of life-threatening disease. Here’s how a Pennsylvania borough is dealing with the dangers of asbestos in its drinking water.

Ground Zero: Jefferson County

While millions of Americans were getting ready to execute their travel plans or host distant family members for a time of feasting during the Thanksgiving season, the residents of Jefferson County were left wondering whether it was safe to use their drinking water. 

Asbestos detected in the local drinking water

In the borough of Brockway, troubling readings in water sampling showed that there were elevated numbers of asbestos fibers in the water supply. The federal standard for asbestos-containing water samples is set at a limit of 7 million fibers per liter. This standard is troubling enough since it only takes one asbestos fiber to contribute to asbestos-related cancer and other diseases, whether inhaled or ingested. However, the readings found in Brockway showed an elevated reading of 11 million fibers per liter. 

The Problem of Asbestos-Containing Materials

What accounts for such high readings? According to officials, the readings are attributed to legacy asbestos, which are hold-over materials that contain asbestos, still in use after these materials were banned by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The materials in this case are old cement pipes that are degrading.

Asbestos and Cement Pipes

Cement piping is just one example of numerous asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) that were once used widely throughout America during the heyday of ACM production and manufacturing. So long as these materials are left undisturbed and undamaged, they pose little health risk to people. However, the danger of ACMs is the fact that they do not last forever. Even though asbestos was once considered a virtually indestructible mineral fiber, the materials used alongside asbestos are not.

Water damage can degrade asbestos-containing materials, exposing and releasing the harmful asbestos fibers into the air or groundwater.

ACMs can break down in various ways, but the most notable ways include water damage, wind damage, and fire damage. Ironically, asbestos itself is highlighted as resistant to these kinds of natural forces, but when ACMs become damaged by these environmental factors, they begin to break away in a process known as friability. Friability happens when the materials (cement) break away from the asbestos fibers. This exposes the microscopic asbestos fibers from the materials and makes them airborne, free to travel through vehicles like wind, or in this case, water. 

Asbestos and the Environmental Impact

Asbestos is a complicated topic. Beyond its well-known human health risks, asbestos also poses a significant environmental impact of asbestos. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral, that has contaminated various environments, from soil and water to air, due to mining, manufacturing, and demolition. 

What is Environmental Asbestos Exposure?

Additionally, the improper disposal of asbestos waste leads to ongoing contamination, posing risks to ecosystems and wildlife. Disturbed asbestos-containing materials can release fibers into the air, which can travel long distances, impacting not only local areas but also broader regions. 

The Problem is Far From Over

The problem in Brockman has been going on for months, and residents are left feeling helpless and concerned for their well-being. Some residents are taking matters into their own hands by installing special water filters to help mitigate risks. Others are opting for using bottled water, but grocery stores are having a difficult time keeping up with demand, with reports that bottles are literally flying off the shelves faster than they can be stocked. 

Money is of course a central factor in this entire issue. Estimates for the total remediation and replacement of the compromised water lines are to the tune of 50 million dollars. The borough is having difficulty securing grants and meeting demand with a viable workforce to complete the job in a timely manner. 

Latency

Beyond the problem of finding an immediate fix is the danger of what the present threat of exposure poses for the elderly, adults, children, and infants alike. The problem of asbestos exposure is rarely felt in the immediate future, except for cases of acute exposure. Normally, asbestos exposure comes not one year or ten years down the line, but as much as five decades after exposure. Residents are concerned that this problem will prove to be life-altering for their children when they become older. 

But with 80-90% of residents’ lines containing high levels of asbestos, it is far less clear how this problem is going to go away without a significant rate of asbestos illness on the horizon, decades from now. Sadly, only time will tell. 

Lessons From Brockway: Asbestos contamination and water supplies

With concerns about asbestos contamination in the water supply, what should we think about our sources of water in other areas? While rare, asbestos water contamination is possible, particularly from aging asbestos-cement pipes common in older communities, such as Brockway. The good news is, that ingesting asbestos through water poses a lower health risk than inhaling it, the primary danger being lung diseases from airborne fibers. 

The most reliable way to assess risk is through professional water testing, but visual cues like corroding asbestos pipes can also signal potential problems. While not always necessary, using a water filter with a 1-micron or less rating, like a reverse osmosis or carbon block filter, can provide peace of mind. Widespread contamination is unlikely due to public water system monitoring, but it’s always possible, just as the example of Brockway shows us. Because of this, awareness and proactive measures like testing and filtering are prudent, especially for those in older homes or areas with outdated infrastructure.

Conclusion

The situation in Brockway serves as a stark reminder that asbestos exposure can occur even in the most unexpected places, like your drinking water. While the risks of ingesting asbestos are lower than inhalation, the long-term health consequences can be devastating. Don’t wait for a potential crisis to affect your family. If you live in an older home or area with aging infrastructure, consider taking proactive steps to ensure your water is safe. Start by having your water professionally tested and if you want extra peace of mind, use a water filter designed to remove asbestos, such as a reverse osmosis or carbon block filter.