Examining the Environmental Ramifications of Asbestos Fiber Movement Through the Water–Soil Continuum: A Review

Gergely Zoltán Macher (), András Torma and Dóra Beke
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Gergely Zoltán Macher: Department of Applied Sustainability, Albert Kázmér Mosonmagyaróvár Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, Széchenyi István University, 9026 Győr, Hungary
András Torma: Department of Applied Sustainability, Albert Kázmér Mosonmagyaróvár Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, Széchenyi István University, 9026 Győr, Hungary
Dóra Beke: Department of Plant Sciences, Albert Kázmér Mosonmagyaróvár Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, Széchenyi István University, 9200 Mosonmagyaróvár, Hungary

IJERPH, 2025, vol. 22, issue 4, 1-21

Abstract: The environmental pollution potential of asbestos products is a worldwide health issue, but their dissemination through the water–soil continuum is often an overlooked aspect. Similarly, the behavior of asbestos fibers released from the products is still not fully understood, although our knowledge is based on studies concerning their mineralogical characteristics, health effects, and waste disposal. It has been claimed and contradicted that asbestos harm is only found in air and humans. Asbestos fibers are found not only in industrial settings but also through the industrial use of asbestos cement products, which has contributed to asbestos emissions and its movement in water and soil. Asbestos fibers are diverse in their physicochemical properties, and this diversity has a significant influence on their behavior in the environment. Recent research has confirmed that asbestos can be transported by water and spread to other parts of the environment. However, the mechanisms underlying this, such as the settling of fibers, their attachment to soil particles, or their movement in groundwater, as well as the environmental and health implications, require further investigation. This paper examines the process and impact of asbestos contamination in the interconnected water, soil, and plant environmental sectors, providing a systematic review of the latest literature.

Keywords: asbestos; chrysotile; asbestos mobility; asbestos toxicity; soil pollution; water pollution (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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