Workers' risks in asbestos contaminated natural sites

NOA is the acronym of Natural Occurring Asbestos and indicates the natural geological occurrence of asbestos fibrous minerals found in association with geological deposits such as rock, sediment, or soil that, undisturbed, may have little to no impact on the environment and human health. In Italy, several Local Authorities, enterprises and Universities dealt with the problem of natural asbestos. Indeed, despite In Italy the use of asbestos has been banned since 1992, activities such as excavation, transport and processing of asbestos potentially containing rocks are allowed and disciplined by ministerial decree 14/5/96. Therefore, asbestos exposure for workers and population are still possible during these activities. In Italy, several Local Authorities, enterprises and Universities dealt with the problem of natural asbestos. Indeed, despite In Italy the use of asbestos has been banned since 1992; activities such as excavation, transport and processing of asbestos potentially containing rocks are allowed and disciplined by ministerial decree 14/5/96. Therefore, asbestos exposure for workers and population are still possible during these activities. The present paper reports two study cases of natural asbestos occurrences, which testify that, when National, Local Authorities and enterprises work in combination, operative models may be formed and applied to improve workers' health. These effective models should be standardized and spread to be used in other similar working situations.