Asbestos In Drinking Water: A Canadian View - (1983)

Asbestos in Drinking Water: A Canadian View – Legal and Medical Implications

Abstract
The study "Asbestos in Drinking Water: A Canadian View," authored by P. Toft and M. E. Meek and published in Environmental Health Perspectives in November 1983, investigates the potential health risks associated with asbestos ingestion through drinking water in Canada. The researchers analyzed Canadian monitoring data and epidemiological studies, focusing on chrysotile asbestos, the most common type found in Canadian water supplies. Their findings indicate that the risk of disease from ingesting asbestos in drinking water is likely extremely small. Despite high concentrations of asbestos in some areas, such as Baie Verte, Newfoundland, cancer mortality data did not show a consistent link between asbestos ingestion and increased cancer risk.

Legal Relevance
This study provides critical insights for asbestos-related legal claims, particularly in cases involving environmental exposure. While the study concludes that the risk of disease from ingested asbestos is minimal, it highlights the presence of asbestos in drinking water, which could support claims of negligence in water supply management or industrial contamination. Key legal points include:

• Evidence Pathways: The study documents asbestos concentrations in drinking water, which can be used to establish exposure pathways in legal cases.
• Occupational History Relevance: Workers in asbestos mining or industries near contaminated water supplies may have additional exposure risks, strengthening claims of cumulative exposure.
• Counterarguments to Defense Claims: The study’s acknowledgment of high asbestos concentrations in specific areas counters defense arguments that environmental exposure levels are negligible.

Occupation Groups at Risk
Certain occupations are at higher risk of asbestos exposure due to their proximity to contaminated water supplies or industrial asbestos use. These include:

1. Asbestos Miners and Mill Workers: Workers in Quebec and Newfoundland, where asbestos mining is prevalent, are at significant risk due to occupational exposure and potential contamination of local water supplies.
2. Construction Workers: Those working with asbestos-containing materials may face exposure through both inhalation and contaminated water sources.
3. Industrial Workers: Employees in industries using asbestos, such as manufacturing or shipbuilding, may encounter asbestos in water used for industrial processes.
4. Municipal Water Workers: Individuals maintaining or repairing water systems in areas with high asbestos concentrations may be exposed to fibers during their work.
5. Residents in Mining Areas: Communities near asbestos mines, such as Baie Verte, Newfoundland, are at risk due to environmental contamination of water supplies.

Current Medical Understanding
The study aligns with current medical knowledge that inhalation of asbestos fibers poses the greatest health risk, leading to diseases such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. However, the risks of ingested asbestos remain less clear. While the study concludes that ingestion risks are minimal, ongoing research suggests that long-term exposure to high concentrations of asbestos in water could potentially contribute to gastrointestinal cancers. This underscores the importance of continued monitoring and research into asbestos exposure pathways.

Citation
Toft, P., & Meek, M. E. (1983). Asbestos in drinking water: A Canadian view. Environmental Health Perspectives, 53(177-180). https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.8353177

National Library of Medicine Link
For further details, the full study can be accessed via the National Library of Medicine: Asbestos in Drinking Water: A Canadian View.

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