Comparative Assessment of Asbestos-Containing and Alternative Materials in Turkish Industrial Facilities

Abstract

The serpentine and amphibole minerals, collectively known as asbestos, have been used in a large number of products. In industrialised nations, these products are strictly regulated because of health concerns, and their consumption has declined significantly in recent decades. In contrast, some developing nations are increasing their use of asbestos products, while others are decreasing it gradually. The developing nations with inadequate control mechanisms will face occupational and environmental consequences of their asbestos use. As a developing nation, Turkey recently regulated asbestos products and airborne fibre concentrations; however, their current status is unknown at this point. Therefore, asbestos and alternative products, and the potential for worker exposure to asbestos fibres are investigated in representative Turkish industrial facilities. The experimental results show that asbestos products containing chrysotile and alternatives containing fibre glass or wollastonite are present in Turkish factories. Some of the asbestos products are manufactured and used commonly, while others are no longer manufactured, though they are in-place. The potential for worker exposure to fibres is assessed in light of the experimental results and similar studies, and the risk of exposure was minimal in these facilities, as asbestos products were non-friable and isolated from the work environment.