How are children accidently exposed to asbestos fibers?

Children who live near a processing plant can be exposed to asbestos fibers in the following ways:

Playing on waste piles. Children living nearby might inadvertantly play on vermiculite waste rock piles outside a plant. They might breathe in air containing asbestos fibers while they played there.

Moving or handling the waste rock. Workers may have taken waste rock from the plant to their homes. This waste rock is used in many ways by those unfamiliar with its dangers; for example: in gardens, in children’s play areas, and for fill or paving material. People who came into direct contact with this waste rock probably breathed in air that contained asbestos fibers.

Breathing air within a few blocks of the site. Sometimes when a plant is operating, dust and asbestos fibers are released into the air. People who live within a few blocks of the plant might have breathed in air that contained asbestos fibers.