How Common is Asbestos in Soil?

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was widely used during the 20^th century due to its durability and heat resistance, as well as insulating properties. Asbestos was banned in the UK in the 90s. It’s now become notorious because of the diseases and health issues it can cause. Incidences of respiratory diseases, lung cancers and mesothelioma have risen due to exposure. While asbestos in buildings and industrial settings is still present and can be a major concern, the presence of asbestos in soil is less commonly talked about, but equally important. Asbestos contamination in soil can occur due to both natural deposits and human activities.

Understanding the extent of this issue and the risks associated with it is essential for appropriate management and safety measures.

To find out whether asbestos in soil is a potential risk to health, there needs to be a risk assessment. This is generally carried out by an environmental consultant, where asbestos would be considered alongside a range of other contaminants. The risk assessment should be in accordance with guidance laid down by the Environment Agency.

Just because asbestos may be present, doesn’t necessarily mean that contaminated soil must be removed; in many cases, the risk assessment might prove that the soil is safe enough to leave, with or without a simple clean cover system over the contaminated soil. But if risks identified are deemed to be unacceptable, then remediation of the site will likely be necessary.

Asbestos in soil only presents a risk if there is a danger that asbestos fibres could be released from the soil and then inhaled by people. If this is the case, measures will be needed. The simplest way to break the exposure risk is to place hardstanding above the contaminated soil. In areas where landscaping is planned, a suitable barrier will be needed. This could be in the form of clean soil, or cement impregnated geotextiles for cover systems, for example.

Buildings that were constructed before the ban of asbestos will more than likely contain asbestos. During demolition or renovation, asbestos could be improperly handled, leading to contamination in nearby soil. Even small-scale home improvements could inadvertently release asbestos fibres into the air, particularly if the homeowner is unaware of its presence.

Careful and stringent regulations on the disposal of asbestos materials were not always in place, especially before the health risks were not fully understood. Because of this, asbestos waste was sometimes buried in landfill sites or dumped illegally. These sites now pose a contamination risk, especially if disturbed.

Old industrial sites such as disused factories can also be a source of asbestos contaminated soil. Asbestos was widely used for insulation and fireproofing in manufacturing and industrial practices, the soil near these sites could have become contaminated over time.

The predominance of asbestos in soil across the nation can vary depending on the region and use of asbestos containing materials in history. Where large-scale developments were constructed, asbestos contaminated soil is more likely, especially where demolitions may have taken place.

UK government agencies have found that asbestos is one of the most common contaminants in assessments of brownfield sites. These sites, particularly the ones used for industrial purposes, are often redeveloped for either housing or commercial use, needing thorough investigations. Where necessary, remediation of any asbestos present needs to take place.

Although naturally occurring asbestos is found in some parts of the world, it’s rare in the UK. Most of the asbestos found in our soil is down to human activity. This means that areas with heavy industrial use or a history of it are the more likely to have asbestos in their soil.

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