Mesothelioma News: Asbestos movement through soil proven

New studies show that there is asbestos movement through the sand and soil. Geologist Jane Willenbring of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California, San Diego is leading the study. The general idea was that asbestos waste piles are locked in place when capped with soil. And as a result this idea was the first phase of testing. It was thus discovered that when organic acids coat asbestos fibers, the threads can travel through sand and soil. This discovery was made by reporter Sanjay Mohanty of the University of Pennsylvania who is a part of the research team led by Willenbring.

The organic acids that are said to coat the asbestos fibers are created from plants, fungi and bacteria. These organic acids can coat the outside of asbestos fibers and eventually change the fibers ability to move from their original position of deposit.

Asbestos Movement and water pollution

Large amounts of asbestos waste has always been a common concern of scientists and environmentalists for years. But, few have ever ventured into trying to figure out how asbestos fibers can pollute the water. Asbestos can be found in water as a result of the polluting of the ground water. But this research has put a known amount of asbestos in the top soil column and the results show that asbestos is present in this soil. Willenbring presented her findings in August at the 2016 American Chemical Society meeting held in Philadelphia.

Prolonged exposure to asbestos may lead to mesothelioma which is a rare and incurable cancer. The most common type of exposure to asbestos is through asbestos fibers being inhaled or swallowed. These fibers will have been disturbed through breaking, or cutting asbestos materials which result in the asbestos fibers becoming airborne.

In conclusion, Willenbring and her team will continue their research.