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Asbestos in drinking water: a Canadian view
Environmental Health Perspectives
|November 1, 1983
Summary
Public health officials assess asbestos risks in food and water. Canadian studies show asbestos in drinking water poses a minimal health risk, undetectable by current methods.
Area of Science:
- Environmental health
- Toxicology
- Public health
Background:
- Asbestos contamination in food and drinking water is a public health concern.
- Chrysotile asbestos is widespread in Canadian drinking water supplies.
- Evaluating health hazards from ingested asbestos requires careful study.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and discuss Canadian monitoring and epidemiologic studies on asbestos in drinking water.
- To assess the health risks associated with ingested asbestos.
- To compare Canadian findings with international research.
Main Methods:
- Review of available Canadian monitoring data.
- Analysis of Canadian epidemiologic studies.
- Synthesis of findings in the context of global research.
Main Results:
- Asbestos levels in Canadian municipal drinking water supplies were analyzed.
- Epidemiologic data from Canadian studies were evaluated.
- Existing research indicates minimal health risks from ingested asbestos.
Conclusions:
- The health risk from ingested asbestos in drinking water is negligible.
- Current epidemiologic techniques cannot detect the low risk levels.
- Further research may be needed to confirm long-term effects, if any.