[Exposure to asbestos in buildings in areas of Basilicata characterized by the presence of rocks containing tremolite]

G Ital Med Lav Ergon. 2012 Jul-Sep;34(3 Suppl):568-70.
[Article in Italian]

Abstract

Lucania, in southern Italy, is characterized by areas with natural outcrops of rocks containing tremolite. The study aims to assess the risk of exposure to asbestos in the building workers in these areas through environmental sampling near sites for implementation of safety of roads built on serpentinite rocks and personal sampling in a group of persons who work in the building industry and a group of residents engaged in activities without contact with the ground. Near road sites was found the presence of airborne tremolite in 66% of environmental samples with peaks up to 31 ff/l. The analysis of personal samples showed the presence of tremolite in doses higher than the natural background in 100% of the building workers, while there were no fibers in the samples of residents employed in activities without soil disturbance. The study shows that the building in areas with naturally occurring asbestos determines a condition of significant occupational exposure to asbestos. Adequate safety measures for workers exposed are needed.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Asbestos / adverse effects*
  • Asbestos, Amphibole / adverse effects*
  • Environmental Exposure / adverse effects*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Italy
  • Male

Substances

  • Asbestos, Amphibole
  • Asbestos
  • tremolite