Sampling and analyses of asbestos in the particulates of open mine activities and the investigation of health risks associated with asbestos

In this study, the presence of asbestos fibers and asbestiform minerals in airborne dust samples from open quarry activities was investigated. Within the scope of the study, dusts from mining activities and natural soil samples were collected, analyzed and the results were discussed. Besides, asbestos-induced health risks, open quarry mining, airborne dust formation through surface mining, asbestos minerals, asbestos types, distribution of asbestos deposits in Turkey and the world, human asbestos exposure, effects of asbestos and asbestiform minerals on human health, combating asbestos exposure, legislative studies on asbestos and alternative materials to asbestos were researched and discussed. Samples collected from three limestone quarries and crushing-screening plant that have been operated by Bolu Municipality, a sample of water pipe made of asbestos cement from the renewed water distribution pipelines of Bolu province, and samples from two provinces of Central Anatolia were analyzed with SEM-EDS (Scanning Electron Microscope-Energy Dispersive X-Ray Specroscopy) and morphologies, mineral compositions, and fiber contents were examined. The results of SEM EDS were compared with the asbestos species and mineral contents given in the literature. In this study, no asbestos fibers were found in any sample except for the asbestos cement pipe sample, however, asbestiform mineral types were found.