Environmental asbestos pollution -- situation in Poland

Our plain-English summary of Environmental asbestos pollution -- situation in Poland, by N. Szeszenia-Dąbrowska, W. Sobala, B. Swiątkowska, et al (International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health, 2012).

The study

• Authors: N. Szeszenia-Dąbrowska, W. Sobala, B. Swiątkowska, G. Stroszejn-Mrowca, U. Wilczyńska
• Journal: International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health
• Published: 2012;25(1):3-13
• Cited by: 13 articles, as counted by NIH iCite
• Read it: PubMed · Publisher

Abstract

Objectives: Environmental exposure of the general population to asbestos in Poland is mainly due to degradation of very popular asbestos-cement products and the resultant release of the elementary asbestos fibres into the ambient air. Assessments of environmental pollution by asbestos were based on the volume of the raw material used, amount of manufactured asbestos products, and measuring the concentration of fibres in the air.

Material And Methods: Under the governmental program intended to remove asbestos, measurements of the concentration of asbestos fibres were performed in 2004-2010 in all provinces of Poland. Considering that potential sources of asbestos dust emissions were present in residential areas, 1634 sampling sites were designated. From 2 to 4 air samples were collected at each sampling site. A total of 5962 samples were collected during seven years. A single dose of air collected by 25 mm 0.8 μm pore Sartorius filter was 1,300 litres. The fibres were counted using optical microscopy with phase contrast (PCM) on a polarizing microscope (PLM) at a total magnification of 600×.; method was adapted to determine the concentration of asbestos fibres in non-occupational environment.

Results: Mean concentration of asbestos fibres was 492 f/m(3) (95% CI: 467-518). In 82% of the sampling sites, the mean concentrations did not exceed 800 f/m(3). As much as 25.8% of the samples were found to be below the detection limit of the method. Estimated mean concentrations of fibres in different provinces ranged from 146 (95% CI: 106-203) to 709 f/m(3) (95% CI: 591-851). In the areas affected by former asbestos-processing plants, mean concentration was 732 f/m(3) (95% CI: 527-1016) and was significantly higher than levels recorded in other areas of Poland.

Conclusion: Asbestos consumption per capita and the recorded moderate levels of asbestos fibres concentration in atmospheric air point to a relatively low level of environmental asbestos pollution in Poland.

In plain English

This was a survey of asbestos fibres in outdoor, non-workplace air in Poland. The authors said this pollution comes mainly from asbestos-cement roofing and wall panels as they break down. From 2004 to 2010, under a government asbestos-removal program, 5962 air samples were taken at 1634 sites in all provinces. Samples were taken July to October on rain-free, low-wind days. Fibres were counted by light microscopy adapted to detect low concentrations. The national mean was 492 fibres per cubic metre (95% CI 467–518), and 25.8% of samples were below the detection limit. Province means ranged from 146 (95% CI 106–203) to 709 (95% CI 591–851) fibres per cubic metre. Near former asbestos-processing plants the mean was 732 (95% CI 527–1016), significantly higher than in other areas. Standard areas averaged 472 (95% CI 445–502). Areas damaged by a 2008 hurricane averaged 585 (95% CI 403–850), not significantly different from standard areas (p = 0.27). The authors concluded that environmental asbestos pollution in Poland was relatively low, and that a single air sample at a site is too unreliable to judge exposure.

We wrote this plain-English summary from the full article with the help of AI, and a second AI model checked each sentence against the article. It is not the authors' wording; the abstract and the article are their own account.

What the study did and found

• Design: Environmental air-monitoring survey (measurements of airborne asbestos fibre concentrations at many sites), together with data on asbestos consumption
• Who was studied: 1634 outdoor sampling sites in 283 districts (74.7% of all districts) in all provinces of Poland, 2004–2010; 5962 air samples in total. This included 260 samples from 83 sites near former asbestos plants and 120 samples from 40 sites in areas hit by the 2008 hurricane.
• Exposure: Airborne asbestos fibres in ambient (non-occupational) outdoor air, attributed by the authors mainly to asbestos-cement construction materials on buildings. Respirable fibres were counted by phase-contrast optical microscopy, with polarized light used to exclude non-asbestos fibres. The method was modified to reach a detection limit of 180 fibres per cubic metre. The measurements did not distinguish fibre types.
• Main results:
  • Across all 1634 sites, the estimated mean asbestos fibre concentration in Poland was 492 fibres per cubic metre (95% CI 467–518).
  • Of the 5962 samples, 1537 (25.8%) were below the detection limit.
  • Mean concentrations by province ranged from 146 fibres per cubic metre (Opolskie, 95% CI 106–203) to 709 (Świętokrzyskie, 95% CI 591–851).
  • Concentrations were low at 622 sites (38%) and moderate (400 to 1000 fibres per cubic metre) at 44%. They were high (over 1000) at about 18% of sites, so 82% of sites were below 1000 fibres per cubic metre.
  • Near former asbestos-processing plants (260 samples, 83 sites) the mean was 732 fibres per cubic metre (95% CI 527–1016). This was significantly higher than in other areas (p = 0.01).
  • In standard areas (5582 samples, 1511 sites) the mean was 472 fibres per cubic metre (95% CI 445–502).
  • In hurricane-affected areas (120 samples) the mean was 585 fibres per cubic metre (95% CI 403–850). This was not statistically significantly different from standard areas (p = 0.27).
  • The authors reported that, by province, each increase of 1 tonne per square kilometre in installed asbestos was accompanied by an increase of 50.3 fibres per cubic metre in mean air concentration.
  • The share of sites with a mean below the detection limit depended on the number of samples taken: 23.9% of sites with 2 samples, 11.8% with 3 and 3.0% with 4. The authors concluded that at least three samples per site are needed.
• The authors' conclusion: The authors concluded that per-capita asbestos consumption and the moderate measured fibre concentrations point to a relatively low level of environmental asbestos pollution in Poland. They also concluded that areas near former asbestos-processing plants have significantly higher concentrations than the rest of the country.
• Limitations the authors state:
  • The authors stated that a single air sample at a location carries an error that prevents correct interpretation of the exposure level there.
  • The authors noted that differing sampling-site characteristics and measurement strategies make it difficult to compare their results with other studies.

Topics

Medical terms in this study, explained in our Lexicon: Environmental Exposure, Asbestos-Cement.

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