ATSDR Asbestos Work

ATSDR has been involved in both general research on asbestos and in evaluating exposures to asbestos at specific sites. Our reports are available to the public.

Please note: The reports listed here were based on information current at the time of publication. Many contain information that documents ATSDR’s involvement in asbestos-related public health evaluations and is still valid. The reader should keep in mind, however, that some information presented in these reports may not reflect the most current scientific consensus.

ATSDR general asbestos research

• Asbestos Toxicological Profile – September 2001
• Case Studies in Environmental Medicine for Asbestos [PDF - 710KB]
• ToxFAQs
• Report on the Expert Panel on Health Effects of Asbestos and Synthetic Vitreous Fibers: The Influence of Fiber Length – March 2003
• Report on the Expert Panel on Biomarkers of Asbestos Exposure and Disease – May 2006

ATSDR site work – public health assessments, health consultations, and research publications 

Sites related to natural deposits of asbestos or mining operations (by state)

Alaska

• Ambler – Evaluation of asbestos exposures in a town where gravel containing natural asbestos was used to cover roads; June 2007

California

• El Dorado Hills – Evaluation of community-wide exposures to naturally occurring asbestos in El Dorado County; August 2011
• Oak Ridge High School – Evaluation of exposures to naturally occurring asbestos at a high school campus in El Dorado County; January 2006

Maryland

• Westville NOA – Letter to state with advice for local agencies on naturally occurring asbestos; October 2009
• Minefields Asbestos Site – Evaluation of activity-based sampling for naturally occurring asbestos at a youth camp; July 2012
• Bald Friar Quarry – Evaluation of activity-based sampling for naturally occurring asbestos at a youth camp; December 2012

North Carolina

• Sapphire Mine – Evaluation of exposures at a gem mine with natural asbestos deposits; September 2009

Pennsylvania

• Borit – Four health consultations and one PHA forevaluations related to a site near former asbestos mining and processing operation
  • January 2009 – Health outcome data evaluation
  • March 2009 – Air sampling results from 2006-2007
  • July 2013 – Groundwater monitoring data review
  • January 2015 – Public health assessment

Washington

• Swift Creek/Sumas – Evaluations of exposure to asbestos from natural landslide contaminating floodplains and sediments of Swift Creek and the Sumas River
  • March 2006 – Health consultation on Swift Creek sediment asbestos
    
  • February 2008 – Evaluation of health statistics and data gaps related to exposure to naturally occurring asbestos from Swift Creek
  • April 2016 – Health consultation on asbestos and metals in groundwater and leachate

Sites related to asbestos from buildings or other processed asbestos products (by state)

Arkansas

• Redwood Early Childhood Center – Evaluation of exposures at a school near a former Libby vermiculite processor; March 2013

Illinois

• Illinois Beach State Park – Evaluations of exposures to asbestos at park near former asbestos manufacturer
  • June 2000
  • October 2007
• Johns Manville Site – Letter evaluating proposed remedial actions at former asbestos manufacturer; December 2008

Maryland

• Powhatan Mining Company – Evaluations of asbestos sampling results from residences on and near the site of a former asbestos manufacturer
  • November 2011 – Onsite residence
  • February 2012 – Onsite residence
  • February 2012 – 1st offsite residence
  • February 2012 – 2nd offsite residence
  • March 2012 – 3rd offsite residence
  • March 2012 – 4th offsite residence
  • March 2012 – 5th offsite residence

New York

• World Trade Center – Report including evaluations of asbestos exposures resulting from the World Trade Center disaster; September 2002

Oregon

• North Ridge Estates – Evaluations of asbestos exposure at neighborhood built on improperly demolished and buried old buildings; May 2005
  also March 2006

Virginia

• Hunting Point – Letters evaluating exposures and cleanup actions at an apartment complex where improper asbestos removals occurred during renovation
  • April 2014
  • December 2014

Wisconsin

• New London Apartment Building – Evaluation of asbestos exposures at an apartment building where improper asbestos removals occurred during renovation; February 2008
• Former Solvay Coke Facility – Evaluation of health concerns related to asbestos in stockpiled demolition debris; August 2008

Sites related to Libby, Montana vermiculite mining and processing

• Public health assessment, May 2003
• Health consultation on mortality from asbestosis in Libby, Montana, August 2002
• Summary report of 28 Libby vermiculite processing sites, October 2008
• Site-specific reports for Libby vermiculite processing sites
• Libby, Montana related ATSDR publications in peer-reviewed journals (2005-2014) [links to pubMed abstracts]
  • The usefulness of computed tomography in detecting asbestos-related pleural abnormalities in people who had indeterminate chest radiographs: the Libby, MT, experience
  • Select mortality and cancer incidence among residents in various U.S. communities that received asbestos-contaminated vermiculite ore from Libby, Montana
  • Libby vermiculite exposure and risk of developing asbestos-related lung and pleural diseases
  • Exposure to asbestos-containing vermiculite ore and respiratory symptoms among individuals who were children while the mine was active in Libby, Montana
  • Vermiculite worker mortality: estimated effects of occupational exposure to Libby amphibole
  • Workers with Libby amphibole exposure: retrospective identification and progression of radiographic changes
  • Comparison of digital with film radiographs for the classification of pneumoconiotic pleural abnormalities
  • Associations between radiographic findings and spirometry in a community exposed to Libby amphibole
  • Association between cumulative fiber exposure and respiratory outcomes among Libby vermiculite workers
  • Impact of body mass index on the detection of radiographic localized pleural thickening
  • A review of the federal government's health activities in response to asbestos-contaminated ore found in Libby, Montana