Air Quality/asbestos

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Expert: - 5/18/2010


Question
I read that asbestos is in the air we breathe every day is that true ?

Answer
Dear Jav

The honest answer to your question is I don't know.

Certainly in places where it is mined, parts of S. Africa etc. there will be fibres in the atmosphere.  When  I worked in the London Underground you could not test with the trains running.  Brake dust from asbestos would cause the tests to fail!  It is well documented that historically the air around asbestos processing plants would be contaminated.

So all over the world asbestos fibres have been emitted into the atmosphere.  Has it got into every lungfull we breathe....?

Sorry I could not be more help.

Cheers

Rob Gibson  

Air Quality

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Rob Gibson

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I have expertise in effects of air pollution on LOCAL communities. I would be gratful if you could make the enquiry as specific as possible. Such questions as "please tell me about air pollution" are not helpful & will have to point you to various texts in libraries. I look forward to hearing from you

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Experience in the area I have expertise in effects of air pollution on LOCAL communities. I have a good grasp on what will affect human health in the air pollution sphere and how to gain improvements. I can also with general air pollution related queries and certain specific problems, for example those air pollution problems caused by TRANSPORT related sources. My main interest is related to AVIATION on which I can also advise on NOISE related matters. I am based in the United Kingdom so most of my knowledge is related to the UK situationOrganisations belong to I am honorary secretary of the south east region of the National Society of Clean Air and Environmental Protection within the UK Education/Credentials Degree from University of Bradford and more importantly seven / eight years dealing with air pollution and noise related matters at the Terminal 5 public inquiry at Heathrow.

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