Effectively raising public awareness about fibrous mineral exposure and its long-term health consequences is crucial for disease prevention and informed policy decisions.

Asbestos, a group of naturally occurring fibrous minerals, was once sought-after in industry due to its durability, heat resistance, and affordability. Gaining widespread popularity during the Industrial Revolution, the mineral was a staple product in the construction, automotive, textile, and shipbuilding sectors as well as in the military. However, with increased asbestos use came a substantial increase in the number of asbestos-related illnesses, eventually leading to its classification as a class 1 carcinogen.

Asbestos causes a variety of cancers and respiratory diseases.

Asbestos is now known to cause chronic respiratory conditions, lung cancer, asbestosis, mesothelioma, and many other forms of cancer. It has been replaced with safer alternatives over the years. Yet, its former popularity means many older buildings, including residences, still have asbestos in their walls and floorboards today. It is also present in some vintage household goods as well as imported from countries with lax or nonexistent restrictions. Contamination of talc products currently on the market also continues to be an issue.

Exacerbating these issues is a gap in public awareness and understanding that the hazards caused by asbestos still persist today. This article explores the health issues associated with asbestos, the many pathways of exposure, and the urgent need for effective communication strategies to educate the public and reduce ongoing risks.

The Composition of Asbestos & Its Health Risks

Asbestos encompasses six naturally occurring silicate minerals: chrysotile, actinolite, tremolite, amosite, crocidolite, and anthophyllite. These minerals share a strong fibrous structure, making them ideal for industrial applications but hazardous to one’s health when inhaled or ingested.

Asbestos fibers are microscopic and invisible to the naked eye, making it nearly impossible to detect when they enter the body. The mineral also contains potentially toxic elements such as iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), cobalt (Co), and chromium (Cr), which can contribute to its toxicity.

When fibers are breathed in, they lodge permanently to internal tissues, most commonly to the lungs and stomach lining, where they reside permanently. Over time, these fibers lead to inflammation and cell damage, creating the perfect storm for the development of deadly diseases.

There tends to be a long latency period between asbestos exposure and the disease development with symptoms often developing anywhere from 20 to 50 years after the fibers are ingested. This makes it difficult to link health conditions to previous exposure, commonly leading to diagnosis and treatment delays, and ultimately, poor outcomes.

Exposure-induced Illnesses

Numerous health complications can result from exposure to asbestos. Some of the most common include:

Asbestosis: A chronic lung disease caused by the scarring of lung tissue due to asbestos fibers. Symptoms, such as shortness of breath and chest pain, may take decades to manifest.
Lung Cancer: The risk of lung cancer increases significantly in individuals exposed to asbestos, especially in those who also smoke. Research has found the smokers exposed to asbestos are up to 90 times more likely to develop lung cancer.
Malignant Mesothelioma: A rare and aggressive cancer affecting the lining of the lungs (pleura) or abdomen (peritoneum), mesothelioma is primarily linked to asbestos exposure. It tends to be diagnosed in its late stages (after delays and misdiagnoses), and is nearly always fatal.
Other Cancers: Asbestos exposure has also been directly linked to laryngeal cancer, ovarian cancer, and gastrointestinal cancers, as well as many others.

Pathways of Exposure

There are many pathways by which an individual can be exposed. While occupational exposure is most common, cases of domestic and secondary exposure are being more frequently identified in recent years. This is caused by fibers being bought home from loved ones handling asbestos directly in the workplace or by exposure in the home or in products used at home. Here’s a closer look at each exposure pathway, in turn:

Occupational Exposure

Historically, workers in industries such as construction, shipbuilding, and automotive repair were directly exposed to asbestos during its use as insulation, in cement, or in other products, such as brake pads and adhesives. Military use of asbestos has also been high, particularly in shipbuilding as well as in living quarters and other artillery. In many cases, occupational exposure accounts for up to 98% of asbestos-related diseases, leading to a long-held misconception that it is only a workplace issue when this is far from the case.

Non-Occupational Exposure

Non-occupational exposure has also been well-documented in households and communities:

Secondhand & Domestic Only Exposure

Workers often carried asbestos fibers home on their clothing, work tools, and in family vehicles, as well as on their skin and hair, inadvertently exposing their family members. At the same time, because asbestos was widely used in residential construction, many older homes still contain asbestos in floor and ceiling titles, roofing shingles and insulation. It was also added to kitchenware, dental products, arts and craft supplies, children’s toys, fire blankets, and more, posing a domestic risk to anyone who used these products.

Talc Products

In recent years, more attention has been given to talc-based products contaminated with asbestos. Talc, also called talcum, is a mineral mining alongside asbestos, making cross-contamination between the two common. Due to improper and insufficient testing methods, for many years, contaminated talc products were determined to be safe and were even labeled as “asbestos free.” However, because of technological developments and stricter testing protocols, research has revealed the many long-used products were, in fact, unsafe.

Lawsuits have been filed against corporate giants like Johnson & Johnson (J&J) linking their products to asbestos-induced cancers, and some companies have opted to voluntarily recall entire lines after sampling showed the presence of asbestos fibers. This has led to more awareness about the potential for asbestos exposure in powdery products that contain talc such as makeup and other cosmetics, baby powder, linen fresheners, foot odor eliminators, dry shampoos, and more.

Environmental Exposure

People can be impacted by environmental exposure in many ways. Those who live or work near asbestos mines or waste sites are at risk of inhaling microscopic fibers. Asbestos has also been found in groundwater and soil. Water contaminated with asbestos can act as a carrier, transporting fibers over long distances and introducing them into households, agriculture, and industrial settings. Through evaporation or disturbance, fibers may also become airborne, presenting inhalation risks.

Another concern is the inclusion of asbestos in drinking water systems. It was once commonly used to insulate lead pipes, many of which are still intact today, and can easily leach into the supply as these pipes begin to degrade, subsequently making its way into homes.

Challenges in Addressing Asbestos Hazards

Despite bans and regulations being rolled out over the year, particularly by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which instituted two new asbestos rules in 2024, asbestos remains a hazard in the U.S. due to its continued presence in older buildings, infrastructure, and vintage and imported products. It is also still heavily used in many other regions of the world because of its widespread availability, which makes it an abundant and inexpensive resource for infrastructure and products alike.

Thus, while many assume the risks are no longer relevant because of regulatory measures taken in recent years and technological advancements that have made it easier to detect fibers, this simply is not the case. Misguided assumptions have caused delays in continuing public education and awareness, as well as coming up with uniform policies on remediation and future use.

Closing the Knowledge Gap

Public understanding of asbestos risks is often limited, partially because scientific communication fails to bridge the gap between technical complexity and everyday concerns. Concepts like mineralogy and geochemistry, albeit critical for understanding the mechanisms of asbestos exposure and its effects, are presented in jargon-heavy journal studies that are only beneficial to those who seek out knowledge from these articles rather than from popular media. Translating this language into lay conversation and exposing the public to ongoing issues through concerted media efforts is key to further expanding public awareness. To date, this disconnect has left many communities underinformed.

Suggested Communication Tools & Methods

To bridge the knowledge gap, communication strategies should include strategies to:

Simplify Complex Information: Focus on using relatable language and visuals to explain how asbestos fibers cause serious health issues and are still present in society today.
Community Engagement: Organize engagement activities and events in areas with historical asbestos used to foster direct interaction and education, which can be more meaningful than reading about concerns from afar.
Tailored Messaging: Designing campaigns that address specific groups, such as workers in high-risk industries, spouses and children exposed through secondhand exposure, consumers of talc products, students and interns soon entering the workplace, and medical professionals working with asbestos-exposed patients as well as the patient themselves and their families.

Educational Campaigns

Educational initiatives should be integrated into school curriculums and professional training programs, particularly those in high-risk sectors. Topics might include:

The mineralogical properties of asbestos
Pathways of exposure
Personal protective gear and preventive measures to minimize risk
Proper abatement protocols

Such efforts not only raise awareness but empower individuals to advocate for safer practices.

Safety & Prevention in the Workplace

Employers play an important role in educating workforces about the ongoing dangers asbestos poses and protecting them from exposure through comprehensive safety protocols and training programs. Ensuring the health and safety of employees not only reduces the risk of exposure-related illnesses but also fulfills legal and ethical obligations.

Today, employers must also supply workers handling asbestos, or those otherwise at risk of being exposed, with appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) to minimize direct contact. This includes:

Respiratory Protection: High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter respirators to prevent inhalation of microscopic fibers. Employers should ensure these respirators are properly fitted for each worker through fit testing programs.
Protective Clothing: Disposable coveralls, gloves, and footwear designed to reduce the risk of asbestos fibers clinging to clothing and being transported outside the worksite. These items also protect against fibers embedding themselves in the skin.
Eye Protection: Safety goggles to shield fibers from making contact with one’s eyes.

Other Ways to Minimize Exposure Risks: Proper Abatement & Government Support

As part of spreading awareness around the continued risks asbestos poses in modern-day society and minimizing risks, it is vital to advocate for proper abatement during remodeling and demolition products as well as ongoing government surveillance regarding continued use and exposure policies.

Professional Asbestos Abatement

The safe handling, removal, and disposal of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) are critical steps in reducing exposure risks, particularly during remediation and demolition projects. These efforts not only protect workers but also ensure the safety of surrounding communities and the environment. Working with a licensed asbestos abatement contractor who adheres to established testing and removal procedures is essential to achieving safe and effective outcomes. Proper procedures include:

Site Preparation and Containment: Contractors establish controlled work zones using plastic sheeting and negative air pressure systems to prevent fibers from spreading.
Removal with Minimal Disturbance: ACMs are handled carefully to minimize breakage, as damaged materials release hazardous fibers. Wet removal techniques are often used to reduce dust.
Safe Transport and Disposal: After removal, ACMs are securely sealed in labeled, leak-proof containers and transported to approved hazardous waste facilities.
Air Quality Monitoring: Inadequate asbestos abatement can result in fibers contaminating the air, soil, or water. Professional abatement workers take measures to monitor air quality during and after removal, ensuring sites are sufficiently decontaminated.

Government Oversight

Despite efforts to enforce asbestos restrictions and bans, significant gaps in oversight remain, particularly surrounding policy inconsistencies across regions. While many countries have banned asbestos use altogether, others still permit its use. In the United States, for example, asbestos is restricted but not yet fully banned, resulting in ongoing exposure risks. Countries such as Russia and India also still use asbestos heavily, seeing it as an affordable and accessible resource that can’t be easily replaced with safer alternatives.

These discrepancies and limitations have perpetuated public misconceptions about exposure hazards and fueled the continued onset of diseases and fatalities resulting from exposure. Globally, there are still approximately 107,000 asbestos-related deaths each year, emphasizing a need for more congruence and uniform enforcement.

Suggested Future Measures

To address gaps in government oversight and take a more cohesive approach to anti-exposure policies, governments should come together and consider the following:

1. Adopting Total Bans Globally:

Countries that have not yet banned asbestos should be encouraged to adopt and enforce complete prohibitions. International cooperation is essential to creating a unified stance on asbestos.
Support should be provided to industries reliant on asbestos to transition to safer, affordable alternatives.

Funding Public Awareness Initiatives:
- Governments and health organizations should launch large-scale campaigns to educate the public about asbestos exposure risks, including its presence in older homes, schools, and workplaces.
- Mandatory disclosure laws for real estate transactions and home inspections can inform buyers about the presence of asbestos-containing materials.
Improving Detection and Reporting:
- Innovations in asbestos detection technologies, such as advanced air-quality sensors and portable testing devices, should be better funded and made widely accessible.
- Establishing comprehensive reporting systems for suspected asbestos contamination can enable quicker responses and remediation.
International Collaboration:
- Developed nations should provide technical and financial assistance to developing countries to phase out asbestos use and establish safe removal and disposal practices.
- Global health organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO) and International Labour Organization (ILO) can increase efforts to promote safety standards and track progress in eliminating risks.
Prioritizing Remediation of Legacy Asbestos:
- Governments should allocate dedicated funding to identify and remediate aging infrastructure containing asbestos, such as schools, public housing, and factories.
- Government-funded employee training programs and those for certified asbestos abatement professionals can help ensure more professionals are being educated on workplace safety and proper removal.

Conclusion & A Call to Action

Asbestos remains a persistent hazard in today’s world, despite efforts to reduce its use in industry. From its carcinogenic properties and harmful health effects to its lingering presence in older buildings, imported goods, and contaminated products, it continues to pose a silent threat.

Misconceptions about asbestos being a relic of the past have led to complacency as well as inconsistencies in policy development and enforcement. Simplifying complex scientific information for widespread consumption, actively engaging communities, and tailoring messages to specific at-risk groups can help close knowledge gaps and better promote public awareness. Furthermore, governments, industry leaders, and advocacy groups must come together to ensure consistent regulations and messaging, safe and effective remediation, and sufficient protections for workers and their families.

While, to date, efforts to promote a solid understanding about the current dangers of asbestos have been lacking, through an increase in education and support services, public officials, health organizations, and the media can pave the way for an asbestos-free future.