Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Asbestos in lake and reservoir waters of Staten Island, New York: Source, concentration, mineralogy, and size distribution

  • Published:
Environmental Geology and Water Sciences

Abstract

There is strong evidence indicating that the six commonly recognized varieties of asbestos are cancer-producing agents Epidemiological and experimental data indicate that, although response to inhalation exposure is most marked, exposure by ingestion probably also entails a risk of excess tumor incidence. The toxicity of mineral fibers can be related to fiber dimensions, mineralogy, chemistry, and surface-active properties.

In the Silver Lake Reservoir in Staten Island, New York, where chrysotile from serpentinite bedrock exposures is a potential source of contamination, chrysotile asbestos levels of 15 to 86 million fibers per liter (MFL) were measured, with an average of 53 MFL Much lower levels (average 0 3 MFL) were observed in small lakes and ponds with clayey bottoms on the Staten Island Serpentinite.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References Cited

  • Accame, G., 1980, Preliminary data on “asbestos” from natural sources in Maryland groundwater: Senior thesis, Geology Dept., University of Maryland, 49 p.

  • Anderson, C. H. and J. M. Long, 1980, Interim method for determining asbestos in water: U.S.E.P.A. Publication EPA-600/4-80-005, 33p.

  • Bain, G. W., 1942, Vermont talc and asbestos deposits,in Newhouse, W. H., ed., Ore deposits as related to structural features: Princeton, N.J., Princeton, University Press, p. 255–258.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beaman, D. R., and D. M. File, 1976, Quantitative determination of asbestos fiber concentrations: Anal. Chem., v. 48, p. 101–110.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Beaman, D. R., and H. J. Walker, 1978, Mineral fiber identification using the analytical transmission electron microscope,in Workshop on asbestos: Definitions and measurement methods: National Bureau of Standards Special Publication 506, p. 249–269.

  • Behm, J. J., 1954, The petrology of the serpentinite of Richmond County (Staten Island), N. Y., Proc. of the Staten Island Institute of Arts and Sciences, v. 16, p. 1–39.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bignon, J., P. Sebastian, and A. Gaudichet, 1978, Measurement of asbestos retention in the human respiratory system related to health effects,in Workshop on asbestos: Definitions and measurement methods: National Bureau of Standards Special Publication 506, p. 95–120.

  • Biles, B., and T. R. Emerson, 1968, Examination of fibers in beer: Nature v. 219, p. 93–94.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Blejer, H. E., and R. J. Arlon, 1973, Talc: A possible occupational and environmental carcinogen. J. Occup. Med., v. 15, p. 92–27.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brodeur, P., 1980, The asbestos hazard. New York: New York Academy of Sciences, p. 93.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bruckman, L., 1979, A study of airborne asbestos fibers in Connecticut,in Workshop on asbestos: Definitions and measurement methods: National Bureau of Standards Special Publications 506, p. 179–190.

  • Burilkov, T. and L. Michailova, 1970, Asbestos content of the soil and endemic pleural asbestosis. Environ. Res., v. 3, p. 443–441.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chatfield, E. J., R. W. Glass, and M. J. Dillon, 1978, Preparation of water samples for asbestos fiber content by electron microscopy: EPA Report EPA-600/4-18-011.

  • Chidester, A. H., and A. F. Shride, 1961, Asbestos in the United States: U S. Geological Survey Mineral Investigations Resources Map MR-17.

  • Condie, L. W., 1983, Review of published studies of orally administered asbestos. Environ. Health Perspect., v. 53, p. 3–9.

    Google Scholar 

  • Conforti, P. M., 1981, Asbestos in drinking water and cancer in the San Francisco Bay area: 1969–1974 Incidence: J. Chronic Dis., v. 34, p. 41.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cook, P. M., G. E. Glass, and J. H. Tucker, 1974, Asbestiform amphibole in municipal water supplies: Science, v. 185, p. 853–855.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cook, P. M., and G. E. Olson, 1979, Ingested mineral fibers: Elimination in human urine: Science, v. 204, p. 195–198.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cunningham, H. M., and R. Pontrefact, 1971, Asbestos fibers in beverages and drinking water: Nature, v. 232, p. 332–333.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Federal Register, 1979, v. 44, p. 56632–56635.

  • Germine, M., 1981, Asbestiform serpentine and amphibole group minerals in the northern New Jersey area: Master’s thesis, Rutgers University, 239 p.

  • Germine, M., 1984, Asbestiform and non-asbestiform amphiboles, cadmium, and zinc in marble from Franklin and Sparta, New Jersey: Open File Report 82-1, New Jersey Geological Survey, 59 p.

  • Germine, M., and J. H. Puffer, 1981, Distribution of asbestos in the bedrock of the northern New Jersey area: Environ. Geol., v. 3, p. 337–351.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gross, D., 1974, Is short-fibered asbestos dust a biological hazard?: Arch. Environ. Health, v. 29, p. 115–126.

    Google Scholar 

  • Henry, W. M. and others, 1972, Development of a rapid survey method of sampling and analysis of asbestos in ambient air: Battelle Columbus Report, Contract No. CPA 22-69-110.

  • Holt, P. F., 1974, Small animals in the study of pathological effects of asbestos: Environ. Health Perspect., v. 9, p. 205–211.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kanarek, M. 1978, Asbestos in drinking water and cancer incidence: Ph. D. dissertation, Berkeley, Calif., University of California.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kanarek, M., P. M. Conforti, L. A. Jackson, R. C. Cooper, and J. C. Murchio, 1980, Asbestos in drinking water and cancer incidence in the San Francisco Bay area: Am. J. Epidemiol., v. 112, p. 54–72.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kirmeyer, G. J., 1979, Seattle Tolt water supply mixed asbestiform removal study (Project Report and Two Appendix Reports), EPA-600/2-79-125, EPA-600/2-79-126, and EPA-600/2-79-153: Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kuryvial, R. J., R. A. Wood, and R. E. Barrett, 1974, Identification and assessment of asbestos emissions from incidental sources of asbestos: Environmental Protection Agency Report EPA-650/2-74-087, 286 p.

  • Langer, A. M., C. M. Maggiore, W. J. Nicholson, A. N. Rohl, I. B. Rubin, and I. J. Selikoff, 1979, The contamination of Lake Superior with amphibole ganque minerals: Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci., v. 330, p. 549–1572.

    Google Scholar 

  • Levy, B. S., E. E. Sigurdson, J. Mandell, E. Laudon, and J. Pearson, 1976, Investigating possible effects of asbestos in city water: Surveillance of gastrointestinal cancer incidence in Duluth, Minnesota: Am. J. Epidemiol, v. 103, p. 362–368.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lieben, J., and H. Pistawka, 1967, Mesothelioma and asbestos exposure: Arch. Environ. Health, v. 14, p. 559.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mangan, M., 1980, A preliminary study: The contribution of asbestos in surface waters through the weathering of the Soldiers Delight Serpentinite: Senior paper, University of Maryland, 28 p.

  • Merliss, R. R., 1971, Talc-treated rice and Japanese stomach cancer: Science, v. 173, p. 1141–1142.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Millette, J. R., R. L. Boone, M. T. Rosenthal, and L. J. McCabe, 1981, The need to control asbestos fibers in potable water supply systems: Sci. Total Environ., v. 18, p. 91–102.

    Google Scholar 

  • Millette, J. R., P. J. Clark, and M. F. Pansing, 1979, Exposure to asbestos from drinking water in the United States: Environmental Health Effects Research Report, Office of Research and Development, EPA-600/j-79-028.

  • Millette, J. R., P. J. Clark, M. F. Pansing, and J. B. Twyman, 1980, Concentration and size of asbestos in water supplies: Environ. Health Perspect., v. 34, p. 13–25.

    Google Scholar 

  • Millette, J. R., P. J. Clark, J. Stober, and M. Rosenthal, 1983, Asbestos in water supplies of the United States: Environ. Health Perspect., v. 53, p. 45–48.

    Google Scholar 

  • National Academy of Science, 1977, Drinking water and health, a report of the Safe Drinking Water Committee, Part 1, chap. 1-5: Washington, D.C., NAS.

    Google Scholar 

  • Newland, D. H., 1901, The serpentines of Manhattan Island and their accompanying minerals: School of Mines Quart., v. 22, p. 307–317, 399–410.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nicholson, W. J. 1974, Analysis of amphibole asbestiform fibers in municipal water supplies: Environ. Health Perspect., v. 9, p. 165–172.

    Google Scholar 

  • NIOSH (National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health), 1976, Revised recommended asbestos standard: U.S. Dept. of Health, Education and Welfare Publication No. 77-169, 96 p.

  • Okulewicz, S. C., 1979, Petrology of the Staten Island alpine ultramafic body: Master’s thesis, Brooklyn College, 92 p.

  • Puffer, J. H., and M. Germine, 1982, Bedrock derived asbestos in groundwater from Mendham, New Jersey: Preliminary Studies: Columbia University Seminar Series, v. 15, 26 p.

  • Puffer, J. H., G. P. Maresca, and M. Germine, 1983, Asbestos in water supplies of the northern New Jersey area: Source, concentration, mineralogy, and size distribution: Center for Coastal and Environmental Studies, 87 p.

  • Puffer, J. H., M. Germine, D. O. Hurtubise, K. A. Mrotek, and D. M. Bello, 1980, Asbestos distribution in the central serpentinite district of Maryland-Pennsylvania: Environ. Res. v. 23, p. 233–246.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rickards, A. L., 1973, Estimation of submicrogram quantities of chrysotile asbestos by electron microscopy: Anal. Chem., v. 45, p. 809–811.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rohl, A. N., A. M. Langer, and I. J. Selikoff, 1975, Environmental asbestos pollution related to use of quarried serpentine rock: Science, v. 196, p. 1319–1322.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ruud, C. O., 1978, An overview of electron microscopy methods,in Workshop on asbestos: Definitions and measurement methods: National Bureau of Standards Special Publication 506, p. 221–233.

  • Ruud, C. O., C. S. Barrett, P. A. Russell, and R. L. Clark 1976. Selected area electron diffraction and energy dispersive X-ray analysis for the identification of asbestos fibers, a Comparison: Micron, v. 7, p. 115–132.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sebastian, P., Billon, M. A., Dufour, G., Gaudichet, A., Bonnaud, G., and Bignon J., 1979, Levels of asbestos air pollution in some environmental situations: Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci.. v. 330, p. 401–415.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sebastian, P., R. Masse, and J. Bignon, 1980, Recovery of ingested asbestos fibers from the gastrointestinal lymph of rats: Environ. Res., v. 22, p. 201–216.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Selikoff, I. J., and D. H. K. Lee, 1978, Asbestos and disease: New York, Academic Press, 549 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shuberth, C. J., 1968, The geology of New York City and environs: Garden City, N.Y., The Natural History Press, 304 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, W. E., D. D. Hubert, H. J. Sobel, E. T. Peters, and T. E. Doerfler, 1980, Health of experimental animals drinking water with and without amosite asbestos and other mineral particles: J. Environ. Pathol. Toxicol. v. 3, p. 277–300.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stanton, M., and J. Layard, 1978, The carcinogenicity of fibrous minerals,in Workshop on asbestos: Asbestos products: Final Report-Part II EPA Report 506/676-018, National Technical Information Service.

  • Stanton, M., R. E. Pitscher, H. J. Humecki, and R. J. Shimps, 1976, Asbestos fibers in natural runoff and discharges from sources manufacturing asbestos products: Final Report, Part II, EPA Publication, EPA-560/676-020, 160 p.

  • Szendroi, M., L. Nemeth, and G. Vajta, 1983, Asbestos bodies in a bile duct cancer after occupational exposure: Environ. Res. v. 30, p. 270–280.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thompson, R. J., 1978, Ambient air monitoring for chrysotile in the United States,in Workshop on asbestos: Definitions and measurement methods: National Bureau of Standards Special Publication 506, p. 355–362.

  • Toft, F., 1981, Asbestos and drinking water in Canada: Sci. Total Environ., v. 18, p. 77.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wagner, J. C., G. Berry, J. W. Skidmore, and V. Timbrell, 1974, The effect of the inhalation of asbestos in rats: Br. J. Cancer, v. 29, p. 252–269.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wigle, D. T., 1977, Cancer morality in relation to asbestos in municipal water supplies: Arch. Environ. Health, v. 32, p. 185–190.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Graduate Program, Geology Department, Rutgers University, 07102, Newark, New Jersey

    Gerard P. Maresca, John H. Puffer & Mark Germine

Authors
  1. Gerard P. Maresca
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. John H. Puffer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Mark Germine
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Maresca, G.P., Puffer, J.H. & Germine, M. Asbestos in lake and reservoir waters of Staten Island, New York: Source, concentration, mineralogy, and size distribution. Environ. Geol. Water Sci 6, 201–210 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02509928

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02509928

Keywords

Search

Navigation