What are the health risks of naturally occurring asbestos (NOA) to the communities in northern New Jersey?
Presentation Type
Abstract
Faculty Advisor
Greg Pope
Access Type
Event
Start Date
25-4-2025 1:30 PM
End Date
25-4-2025 2:29 PM
Description
Asbestos is a naturally occurring (NOA) fibrous mineral that can be found in rocks, soil, water and air. Until the end of the 1900s, asbestos was a widely used material in construction and production of many different types of equipment such as the steam engine because of its resistance to fire and strength bigger than steel. After its mass use, it was found that exposure to these fibers can cause cancer in the lungs, pleura, kidney and many more. While the usage of this material has been banned for decades now, in northern New Jersey there are many spots (more than 50 locations) where NOA can be found. The main areas where asbestos is found are in the Precambrian rocks of New Jersey Highlands, the Paleozoic serpentinites in Hoboken and the Mesozoic basaltic rocks of the Newark basin. When intact these materials are generally safe but if damaged or eroded the fibers can easily travel in the air and get inhaled into the lungs causing tumors to be developed. Through the usage of Geographic Information System (GIS) and human health surveys, the analysis of proximity of asbestos with populated areas, water resources and farms will make it possible to assess the health risks while also going over the policies that are in place. By using GIS, the research will be able to show that the areas with more asbestos are at higher risk since it is known that this mineral causes diseases and deaths after 20-40 years from exposure.
What are the health risks of naturally occurring asbestos (NOA) to the communities in northern New Jersey?
Asbestos is a naturally occurring (NOA) fibrous mineral that can be found in rocks, soil, water and air. Until the end of the 1900s, asbestos was a widely used material in construction and production of many different types of equipment such as the steam engine because of its resistance to fire and strength bigger than steel. After its mass use, it was found that exposure to these fibers can cause cancer in the lungs, pleura, kidney and many more. While the usage of this material has been banned for decades now, in northern New Jersey there are many spots (more than 50 locations) where NOA can be found. The main areas where asbestos is found are in the Precambrian rocks of New Jersey Highlands, the Paleozoic serpentinites in Hoboken and the Mesozoic basaltic rocks of the Newark basin. When intact these materials are generally safe but if damaged or eroded the fibers can easily travel in the air and get inhaled into the lungs causing tumors to be developed. Through the usage of Geographic Information System (GIS) and human health surveys, the analysis of proximity of asbestos with populated areas, water resources and farms will make it possible to assess the health risks while also going over the policies that are in place. By using GIS, the research will be able to show that the areas with more asbestos are at higher risk since it is known that this mineral causes diseases and deaths after 20-40 years from exposure.
Comments
Poster presentation at the 2025 Student Research Symposium.