New Study Shows Asbestos Fibers Can Move in Soil

Conclusion: They could not. However, the team discovered asbestos fibers moved through the sand column when they were coated with fulvic acid, humic acid and other natural organic matter. Researchers later ran a similar test using the BoRit soil samples. “We found that if we coated these fibers in organic acids, we could actually get the asbestos fibers to move through the soil,” Willenbring said. She also pointed out the unique aspect ratio of asbestos fibers: More long than narrow. Because of their shape, researchers suspected asbestos fibers tangled with each other in the soil instead of moving freely through it. What’s Next for Researchers? Willenbring and her team continue researching new directions for the study. One idea: Figure out how to regulate the amount of organic acids in the piles to limit or decrease the amount of movement. “We could do something else to the piles to affect their geochemistry so we don’t get transport,” she said. Willenbring said one option may involve altering the fabric used between the asbestos materials and the soil to affect the pile’s geochemistry. Another key may lie in keeping plants alive on the soil above these capped piles. Soil ecologist Brenda Casper is working with Willenbring and others to determine which native grasses best hold the top soil. “If you don’t have plants on the surface of the piles, then you have more erosion of that cap, and eventually, it will just have the same problem again,” W...
Source: Asbestos and Mesothelioma News - Category: Environmental Health Authors: Tags: asbestos in libby montana asbestos in soil asbestos moves in soil asbestos superfund asbestos superfund sites BoRit asbestos superfund environmental asbestos exposure jane willenbring mesothelioma in libby montana Source Type: news