What Are The Potential Environmental Impacts of Asbestos in a Marine Environment?

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral. The environmental marine impacts caused by asbestos are dependent upon whether the asbestos is: 1) reduced to fibers or is in a non-friable form; and, 2) whether the asbestos is air-borne or water-borne.

Even though adverse impacts from asbestos are largely from inhalation -- which is not expected to be an issue in the marine environment -- vessel preparation should eliminate the possibility of pieces of asbestos breaking free from the vessel during the sinking operation or asbestos materials losing surface integrity after the vessel has been placed as an artificial reef.

Loose asbestos pieces can lead to rafting and may be capable of washing ashore. These asbestos pieces could dry up, break apart, and be reintroduced into the atmosphere. Exposure to airborne asbestos can negatively impact human health via inhalation.

Once a vessel has settled on the ocean floor, asbestos remaining on the vessel (e.g., intact and undisturbed asbestos insulation) will be covered with bacteria over time. This in turn will cause the asbestos fibers to sink and remain contained within the reef matrix, minimizing any potential direct impacts to the marine environment.

Weitz & Luxenberg is a leading plaintiffs' law firm that has represented people affected by mesothelioma for over 20 years. Men and women diagnosed with mesothelioma caused by asbestos exposure may be entitled to compensation from the companies responsible for their disease.

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