Can Off-Roading Be Tied To Asbestos Exposure?
As the technology developed to counteract and remove asbestos progresses, we're continually discovering new things about this toxic mineral. It also means that we're becoming more aware of all facts related to the risks of asbestos exposure, including the most unlikely places we could be in danger of contamination. One such occasion could be using off-road vehicles. But how does an off-road vehicle connect to asbestos?
Dirt bikes and four-wheel drive cars are all designed to go off the roads and explore the wilder places with more freedom. Motocross and quad biking are two of the most accessible and most popular off-road adventures out there. However, a more powerful engine and a more capable vehicle on dirt roads means a lot of dust. It's only a matter of time until one unknowingly takes the adventure into a hazardous territory and exposure risks tick high on the scales.
More and more scientific research targets air quality inside and outside a house, and it has found that exposure to mineral fibers is a concern on trails close to natural fiber occurrences. The dust clouds kicked up by these vehicles may well contain asbestos fibers that occur naturally in specific landscapes. In geographic regions with naturally occurring asbestos, microscopic mineral particles from underlying rocks and soil may become airborne, exposing ORV participants to the risk of inhaling asbestos fibers.
Asbestos exposure could become increasingly problematic as many thrill-seeking young people take their bikes and travel unpaved roads more often. If they inhale asbestos-containing dust, they will only know of conditions caused by asbestos exposure in their adulthood: asbestos-linked diseases do not produce symptoms immediately; it takes decades of latency until they can be diagnosed.
Studies targeting asbestos dust found that 80% of off-road trails in California, Utah, and Colorado are filled with asbestos-containing rocks. Many of America's asbestos deposits are in the Appalachian Mountains, which extend across 18 different states. These are also popular areas where people go biking and off-road exploring, which only serves to reaffirm the risks they might unknowingly take. So, if you are into off-roading and have concerns about a particular area, make sure you consult all available data on the location. Owners of dirt bike circuits can increase safety by hiring experienced professionals to investigate whether asbestos is present.
How Can You Reduce Asbestos Exposure Outside?
First and foremost, plan your outdoor activities. Learn if natural asbestos might be found in your area or areas you visit. You can use the US Geological Survey's map of reported natural asbestos occurrences or consult states' and counties' detailed maps of areas more likely to contain asbestos.
If asbestos might be present in the area you plan to visit, stay on paved trails or areas with ground covering over the native soil. You should always drive slowly on unpaved roads and avoid old building sites or places with visible waste when looking for discovery roads.