Asbestos hazards in the city of Rome, Italy

A review is made of asbestos as a health hazard, and attention is drawn to possible dangers due to exposure to asbestos in the city of Rome in and outside the work place. The exposure to asbestos of workers of the ATAC company (the public concern of urban passenger transport of Rome) is examined. This is particularly dangerous for workers who repair equipment with asbestos components, such as brake linings. Exposure to asbestos may also occur in inhabitants who live and work close to where asbestos fibres collect. The study evaluates the contamination of asbestos fibres in both work and urban environment among people directly or indirectly exposed to this pollutant.