ASBESTOS
FACT SHEET ON A DRINKING WATER CHEMICAL CONTAMINANT
GENERAL INFORMATION
Synonyms
None
Chemical Description:
Generic name for a group of naturally
occurring hydrated silicate minerals of the
amphibole or serpentine groups which are
characterized by fibers or bundles of fine single
crystal fibers
Properties:
Asbestos fibers have a high tensile strength,
flexibility, heat and chemical resistance, low
heat and electrical conductance, low
porosity, and favorable fractional properties
White, gray, green, or brown fibers that do not
clump together
Slightly soluble in water
Production and Use:
Properties of the fibers determine their uses
asbestos cement pipe and sheet
flooring products
roofing products
friction products
packing and gaskets
thermal insulation
electrical insulation
coatings and compounds
filtration media
asbestos paper
plastics
Chrysotile (serpentine group) accounts for
approximately 94% by weight of asbestos use
in the U S
ENVIRONMENTAL PROFILE
Ocurrence:
Common contaminant of domestic water
supplies, but EPA has concluded that about
95% of water consumers are exposed to
asbestos fiber concentrations of less than one
million fibers per liter (MFL)
Occurs naturally through erosion of mineral
deposits of serpentine and other asbestos-
containing materials in surface water systems
Releases:
Contamination of drinking water may be
attributed to erosion of natural mineral
deposits, runoff from tailings from mining
operations, improper disposal of asbestos
wastes (predominantly household waste), and
deterioration and/or tapping of asbestos/
cement (A/C) pipes in municipal water
distribution systems
Environmental Fate:
Highly persistent in water
Low potential for bioaccumulation
Asbestos wastes are discharged predominantly
to land, and least to water
Not likely to migrate to ground water if
released to soil
HEALTH EFFECTS
Humans:
Little data on experiments with humans
Case studies have indicated that inhalation of
asbestos fibers causes cancer in humans, also
causes asbestosis (diffuse interstitial fibrosis of
the lung)
Experimental Animals:
Exposure via inhalation or ingestion (inhalation
is the more common exposure pathway and
the more detrimental to health)
Low acute toxicity:
the bulk of inhaled asbestos (the longer
fibers) is rapidly cleared from the respiratory
tract to the gastrointestinal tract
most asbestos fibers entering the
gastrointestinal tract are passed througn the
digestive system and are excreted with the
feces; however, evidence indicates that
they may penetrate the walls of the tract
Chronic exposure to asbestos via inhalation
causes asbestosis and cancer (lung cancer.
cancer of the chest cavity; may also cause
cancer of the abdominal watt, digestive
system, larynx, ovaries, and uterus)
-------
REGULATORY PROFILE
Existing Standards:
Clean Air Act (CAA): Regulated
Clean Water Act (CWA):
Critena established
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
(RCRA):
Not regulated
Supe,fund (CERCLA):
Hazardous waste
SARA: Toxic substance
Federal lnsectlcld , Fungicide, and
Rodenhicide Act (FIFRA):
Not registered
Toxlc Substances Control Act (ISCA):
Regulated
HEALTH INFORMATION
Maximum Contaminant Level Goals (MCLG):
Non-enforceable levels based solely on an
evaluatron of possible health risks and
exposure, and taking into consideration a
margin for public safety
Set at 7 MFI to protect agoinst cancer
MCLG for Asbestos = 7 MFL
(effectIve July 1992)
Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCL):
Legally enforceable levels for contaminants in
public drinking water supplies
Based on health risks associated with the
contaminants, analytical methods for their
essay, and water treatment feasibility and
practicality aspects
Exceedance of the MCL in drinking water may
result in adverse effects which will depend
upon the contaminant concentration in water,
amount of water/contaminant ingested.
length of exposure, and other biological
parameters
MCL for Asbestos: 7 MFL
(.ffsctlv. July 1992)
EPA Health Advisories (HA):
Short-term HAs: Provide acceptable
concentrations of contaminants in water for
up to 10 day exposures, prrnarily to evaluate
the public health risk resulting from an
accidental spill or an emergency
contamination situation
Longer-term HAs: Proviae guidcr:e r
persistent water contamination situatiOnS Z
cover a period of up to 7 years
Lifetime HAs: Derived in the same way s o
MCLG
Health Advisories
(EPA has not established HAs
for asbestos in water)
ANALYTICAL METHODS
Transmission Electron Microscopy
EPA-600/483-043
WATER TREATMENT
Permanent Treahnent:
Best Available Technology (BAT):
Coagulation/Filtration
Direct Filtration
Diatomite Filtration
Corrosion Control
SHORT-TERM HAZARD ELIMINATION
If the drinking water standards are exceeded.
install BAT or use an alternative drinking water
supply such as bottled water
ADDITIONAL HELP
State or county health officials con indicate a
certified laboratory for testing
Experts in the state Department of
Environmental Protection or Natural Resources
may also be of help
The EPA has toll-free numbers for further
information on drinking water quality,
treatment technologies, for obtaining Health
Advisories, and for other regulatory information
EPA l4otlines ore available Monday through
Friday
Safe Drinking water. aOO-426-4791
Nctlonal Pest icIdes: 800-858-7378
Sup.rfund/ RCRA 800-424-9346
For information on the Clean Water Act, call
(202) 260-7301
For information on the Toxic Substances
Control Act call (202) 554-1404
For information on the Clean Air Act, call
(919) 541-2777
MFL = million fibers/liter (longer than 10 srn)
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II
P 4 (
ASBESTOS
FACT SHEET ON A DRINKING WATER CHEMICAL CONTAMINANT
GENERAL INFORMATION
Synonyms
None
Chemical Description:
Generic name for a group of naturally
occurring hydrated silicate minerals of the
amphibole or serpentine groups which are
characterized by fibers or bundles of fine single
crystal fibers
Properl ls:
Asbestos fibers have a high tensile strength.
flexibility, heat and chemical resistance, low
heat and electrical conductance. low
porosity, and favorable frictional properties
White. gray, green. or brown fibers that do ot
clump together
Slightly soluble in water
Production and Use:
Properties of the fibers determine their uses
asbestos cement pipe and sheet
flooring products
roofing products
friction products
packing and gaskets
thermal insulation
electrical insulation
coatings and compounds
filtration media
asbestos paper
plastics
Chrysotile (serpentine group) accounts for
approximately 94% by weight of asbestos use
in the U S
ENVIRONMENTAL PROFILE
Ocurrence:
Common contaminant of domestic water
supp es. but EPA has concluded that about
95% of water consumers are exposed to
asbestos fiber concentrations of less than one
million fibers per liter (MFI)
Occurs naturally through erosion of mineral
deposits of sefpent lne and other asbestos-
containing materials in surface water systems
Releases:
Contamination of drinking water may be
attributed to erosion of natural mineral
deposits, runoff from tailings from mining
operations, improper disposal of asbestos
wastes (predominantly household waste), arid
deterioration and/or tapping of asbestos!
cement (A/C) pipes in municipal water
distribution systems
Environmental Fat:
Highly persistent in water
Low potential for bioaccumulation
Asbestos wastes are discharged predominantly
to land, and least to water
Not likely to migrate to ground water if
released to soil
HEALTH EFFECTS
Humans:
Little data on experiments with humans
Case studies have indicated that inhalation of
asbestos fibers causes cancer in humans. aiso
causes asbestoss (diffuse interstitial fibrosis of
the lung)
Experimental Animals:
Exposure via inhalation or ingestion (inhalation
is the more common exposure pathway and
the more detrimental to health)
Low acute toxicity:
the bulk of inhaled asbestos (the longer
fibers) is rapidly cleared from the respiratory
tract to the gastrointestinal tract
most asbestos fibers entering the
gastrointestinal tract are passed througn the
digestive system and are excreted with the
feces; however, evidence indicates that
they may penetrate the walls of the tract
Chronic exposure to asbestos via inhalation
causes asbestoss and cancer (lung cancer.
cancer of the chest cavity; may also cause
cancer of the abdominal wolf, digestive
system, larynx, ovaries, and uterus)
-------
REGULATORY PROFILE
Existing Standards:
Clean Air Act (CAA): 1 eguiated
Clan Water Act (CWA):
Criteria established
Resource Cons.rvatlon and Rscovry Act
(RCRA):
Not regulated
Superfund (CERCL.A):
Hazardous waste
SARA: Toxic substance
Federal lnsectleld, Fungicide, and
Roderiticide Act (FIFRA):
Not registered
Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA):
Regulated
HEALTH INFORMATION
Maximum Contaminant Lsv& Goals (MCLG):
Non-enforceable levels based solely on an
evaluation of possible health risks and
exposure, and taking into consideration a
margin for public safety
Set at 7 MFL to protect against cancer
MCLG for Asbestos 7 MFL
(sffectlv. July 1992)
Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCL):
Legally enforceable levels for contaminants in
public drinking water supplies
Based on health risks associated with the
contaminants, analytical methods for their
assay. and water treatment feasibility arid
practicality aspects
Exceedance of the MCI in drinking water may
result in adverse effects which will depend
upon the contaminant concentration in water.
amount of water/contaminant ingested.
length of exposure, and other biological
parameters
MCL for Asbestos = 7 MFL
(effectIve July 1992)
EPA Health Advisories
Short-t.rm HAs:
(HA):
Provide acceptable
concentrations of contaminants in water for
up to 10 day exposures, prrncrily to evaluate
the public health risk resulting from an
accidental spill or on emergency
contamination situation
Iong.r-t.rm HAs: Proviae guicorce cr
persistent water contamination situOtiOnS
cover a period of up to 7 years
Litetim. HAs: Derived in the same way s a,
MCLG
H.alth Advisories
(EPA has not established HAs
for asbestos in water)
ANALYTICAL METHODS
Transmission Electron Microscopy
EPA-600/4-83-043
WATER TREATMENT
Permannt Tr.ahnnt
Best Avallabl T.chnology (SAl):
Coagulation/Filtration
Direct Filtration
Diatomite Filtration
Corrosion Control
SHORT-TERM HAZARD ELIMINATION
If the drinking water standards are exceeded,
install BAT or use on alternative drinking water
supply such as bottled water
ADDITIONAL HELP
State or county health officials can indicate a
certified laboratory for testing
Experts in the state Department of
Environmental Protection or Natural lesources
may also be of help
The EPA has toll-free numbers for further
information on drinking water quality,
treatment technologies. for obtaining Health
Advisories, and for other regulatory information
EPA Hotlines ore available Monday through
Friday
Sat. Drinking Watec 800-426-4791
National PesticIdes: 800-858-7378
Superfund! RCRA: 800-424-9346
For information on the Clean Water Ac?. call
(202) 260-7301
For information on the Toxic Substances
Controt Act, coil (202) 554-1404
For information on the Clean Air Act, call
(919) 541-2777
MFL = miutort fibers/liter (longer than 10 urn)
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