Key Takeaways
- Asbestos exposure is not limited to the workplace — naturally occurring asbestos (NOA) exists in soils, sediments, rocks, natural water sources, and even rural air, meaning environmental exposure can happen without ever working in an asbestos-related industry.
- A 2023 report confirmed high concentrations of asbestos in natural bodies of water. Asbestos has also been confirmed to exist in drinking water — though it has not been conclusively proven that ingesting asbestos (versus inhaling it) causes disease.
- The EPA has set a limit of 7 million fibers per liter for asbestos in drinking water (fibers longer than 10 micrometers) — but many asbestos experts believe there is no truly safe level of exposure.
- Most asbestos regulation focuses on occupational settings, but many countries have also established reference limit values for environmental asbestos concentrations in both air and water.
- Denmark became the first country to ban asbestos in 1972 (for waterproofing and insulating). Most EU countries have since implemented complete bans. The United States did not fully ban chrysotile asbestos until March 2024.
Asbestos is a carcinogen known to cause illnesses such as mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer. When people think about asbestos they tend to think about it in an occupational sense. There were certain jobs that were known to expose people to asbestos. These jobs commonly include:
- Construction
- Shipbuilding
- Insulating
- Steel making
However, what about the asbestos in water and air that exists around all of us? If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you were exposed to asbestos, likely in large quantities. A 2023 report shows that there are high concentrations of asbestos in natural bodies of water. This is called Naturally Occurring Asbestos (NOA). Asbestos in the water and air can cause serious health conditions if breathed in. Typically, the more asbestos a person inhales, the greater chance there is for that person to develop an asbestos related disease. However, it is important to note that even breathing in a small amount of asbestos can lead to negative health effects.
Types of Asbestos
Asbestos can be grouped into six different categories. These categories are as follows:
- Chrysotile
- Crocidolite
- Amosite
- Anthophyllite
- Tremolite
Chrysotile asbestos is most commonly found in the industries previously mentioned. It is highly resistant to fire, so it was useful to use for any occupation in which the worker would be exposed to heat.
Banning Asbestos
Many countries, including just recently the US have placed bans or heavy regulations on asbestos use. This includes banning the manufacturing and importing of any products that contain asbestos. In 1972, Denmark became the first country to ban asbestos within its borders for waterproofing and insulating. Most of the countries in the European Union have completely banned asbestos use.
Asbestos in water and air is still prevalent and many countries have put in place reference limit values for the concentrations of asbestos fibers in both environmental and occupational settings. Despite this reference limit, many who are knowledgeable about asbestos believe that there is no safe limit for asbestos and breathing in just a single fiber is dangerous to one’s health.
In the United States, the EPA set a limit for an allowable amount of asbestos in water that contained asbestos cement that had been decomposed or where there was an erosion of a natural deposit. This limit was 7 million fibers per liter for asbestos fibers that were longer than10 um.
It has been confirmed that asbestos can exist in drinking water. However, it cannot be confirmed that ingested asbestos (instead of inhaling it) causes diseases.
Where is Asbestos in Water and Air?
Asbestos exposure can occur throughout the environment. Different areas in which asbestos may be present include:
- Soils
- sediments
- Natural water sources
- Rocks
- Airborne asbestos in rural areas
There are many ways to be exposed to asbestos. If you worked with it daily or worked or lived around it, it is possible that you could develop an asbestos-related disease such as mesothelioma. On our website, we aim to help you navigate the process of a mesothelioma diagnosis by providing treatment options, hospitals in Pennsylvania to treat at, legal help, and much more. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, please contact us at (800) 505-6000 for more information or fill out our contact form.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you be exposed to asbestos through water?
Yes. Asbestos has been confirmed to exist in both natural water sources and drinking water. A 2023 report found high concentrations of asbestos in natural bodies of water — this is known as naturally occurring asbestos (NOA). Asbestos can also enter drinking water through degrading asbestos cement pipes, which are estimated to make up 600,000 miles of water infrastructure in the U.S. and Canada. The EPA has set a limit of 7 million fibers per liter for asbestos in drinking water, though many experts believe no amount of asbestos exposure is safe.
Can you be exposed to asbestos through the air without working with it?
Yes. Asbestos can become airborne in non-occupational settings through several pathways. Naturally occurring asbestos in rock formations, soils, and sediments can be disturbed by wind, construction, hiking, or natural erosion — releasing fibers into the air. Even in rural areas, airborne asbestos has been detected. People living near natural asbestos deposits, former asbestos mines, or industrial facilities that used asbestos may be exposed without ever having worked in an asbestos-related job.
Does drinking asbestos-contaminated water cause mesothelioma?
This question is not yet conclusively answered. While it has been confirmed that asbestos can exist in drinking water, scientific research has not established a definitive causal link between ingesting asbestos and developing mesothelioma or other diseases. The known pathway to mesothelioma is through inhalation — breathing in airborne fibers that become embedded in lung and organ tissue. However, some researchers have hypothesized that ingested asbestos fibers may contribute to peritoneal mesothelioma (which develops in the abdominal cavity), and research continues.
What is naturally occurring asbestos (NOA)?
Naturally occurring asbestos is asbestos that exists in the environment without having been mined, processed, or used by industry. It is found in certain rock formations, soils, and sediments. When these natural deposits are disturbed — through construction, erosion, outdoor activities, or natural weathering — asbestos fibers can be released into the air or washed into water sources. NOA is distinct from industrial asbestos, but poses the same health risks when fibers are inhaled.
Is there a safe level of asbestos exposure?
Most asbestos experts and organizations — including OSHA — state that there is no truly safe level of asbestos exposure. While regulatory agencies have established permissible exposure limits for occupational settings (OSHA’s PEL is 0.1 fiber per cubic centimeter over an 8-hour shift) and maximum contaminant levels for drinking water (EPA’s 7 million fibers per liter), these are regulatory thresholds — not guarantees of safety. Even breathing in a small amount of asbestos can potentially lead to mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases.
Does Pennsylvania have naturally occurring asbestos?
Yes. Pennsylvania has at least 37 significant natural asbestos deposits documented across the state. Four asbestos mines operated in the southeastern region, and the state’s mountain ranges contain rock formations with trace amounts of asbestos. These natural deposits — combined with Pennsylvania’s extensive industrial asbestos history — mean that both environmental and occupational exposure pathways exist throughout the state.
What should I do if I believe I’ve been exposed to asbestos through water or air?
If you believe you’ve been exposed to asbestos — whether through contaminated water, environmental air exposure, or any other pathway — and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, call (800) 505-6000 or fill out our contact form for a free consultation.
