Chronic inhalation of asbestos fibers can result in mesothelioma

As a result of the presence of asbestos in surface and subsurface soils at the Site, there has been an actual and/or threatened release of hazardous substances into the environment. Amphibole asbestos and serpentine asbestos have been detected at this Site.

Asbestos is of potential concern because chronic inhalation exposure to excessive levels of asbestos fibers suspended in air can result in lung disease, such as asbestosis, mesothelioma and lung cancer. Exposures via ingestion and dermal contact are considered to be of lesser concern.

Characteristics of amphibole asbestos that are of concern are fibers that are greater than 5 microns in length and have an aspect ratio of greater than 5 to 1.