Avataneo, C.

Belluso, E.

Capella, S.

DE LUCA, Domenico Antonio

Lasagna, M.

English

Institutional Research Information System University of Turin

EGU22-4104https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu22-4104EGU General Assembly 2022© Author(s) 2023. This work is distributed underthe Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.Extensive characterization of waterborne mineral fibres and studyof their possible migration to air in naturally occurring asbestos(NOA) rich settings.Chiara Avataneo1,2, Silvana Capella1,2, Manuela Lasagna1, Domenico Antonio De Luca1, and ElenaBelluso1,2,31Dept. of Earth Sciences, University of Torino, Turin, Italy (c.avataneo@unito.it)2“G. Scansetti” Interdepartmental Center for Studies on Asbestos and Other Toxic Particulates, University of Torino, Turin,Italy3Geosciences and Earth Resources (IGG) of the National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Operational Unit of Turin, Turin,ItalyAsbestos is classified as carcinogenic to humans (Class 1) by IARC because is known that mayinduce fatal diseases when respired. Consequently, asbestos occurrence is principally monitoredin air.Historically, asbestos had not been investigated in water, but nowadays waterborne asbestos isgaining new attention since it constitutes a non-conventional exposure way: it could be ingested,particularly if it reaches the tap water system, but also be a secondary source of airborne fibres,when asbestos migrates from water to air. Accordingly, it could be considered an EmergingPollutant in the water matrix because it has not been systematically monitored in the past and itcould represent a problem for human health and environment, requiring an accurate riskassessment.Therefore, two sampling campaigns have been settled on surface waters and groundwater of theLanzo Valleys and Balangero Plain, in North-Western Alps (Italy): the area is rich in NaturallyOccurring Asbestos (NOA) and naturally occurring asbestiform minerals non-asbestos classifiedcontaining rocks and sediments which can release fibres in the water system when subjected toweathering and erosion. An extensive electron microscopy study (by SEM-EDS and TEM-EDS) ofwaterborne mineral fibres is currently in progress to define how many and which type of fibrescan be found in water. As waterborne fibres could constitute a secondary source of airbornefibres, their typical dimensions would be defined to assess possible respirability risk for humans incase of migration from water to air.Fibres water-to-air migration may occur particularly if asbestos is dispersed in surface movingwater, such as in rivers and streams. Fibres can be released in air under collapse of bubbles andfoams from polluted waters in natural environment. To study possible asbestos passage fromwater to air in moving water and evaluate possible related risk, an experimental setup wascreated, in which chrysotile polluted water subjected to bubbling was placed in a close system.Four tests were run with nil, low, mid and high concentration of waterborne chrysotile andconsequent airborne concentration was measured.Waterborne fibres were analysed as well to verify if chrysotile sample may undergotransformation when present in moving water and to define typical dimensions for waterbornefibres, in order to evaluate if they could be a risk for humans in case of water-to-air migration. Inaddition, an attempt has been made to define a limit of waterborne chrysotile which couldgenerate an alarm situation in air, corresponding to 1 fibre per Litre (f/L).Data regarding real samples and laboratory studies will be presented to shed light on mineralfibres occurrence in the water system of the study area, to describe fibres types and abundancy inrelation with local geology and hydrogeology. This is to better characterize and monitor asbestos(and asbestiform) fibres occurrence in surface waters and groundwater flowing in NOA rich areas.The results of this study are expected to have high impact on regulatory aspects, particularly in thedefinition of a Maximum Contaminant Level for waterborne asbestos, which is not provided byItalian legislation at present.Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)

Extensive characterization of waterborne mineral fibres and study of their possible migration to air in naturally occurring asbestos (NOA) rich settings

https://iris.unito.it/bitstream/2318/1885833/1/EGU22-4104-print.pdf

Extensive characterization of waterborne mineral fibres and study of their possible migration to air in naturally occurring asbestos (NOA) rich settings

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