title: Environmental exposure to asbestos: from geology to mesothelioma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This article aims to review the geological background of environmental asbestos exposure and the distribution of asbestos-related disease (ARD) in association with naturally occurring asbestos (NOA), and discusses the potential health risks associated with exposure to non-occupational asbestos.
  
  
  RESULTS
  With the motion of continental and oceanic plates, in some parts of the world serpentinites in the lower layer of the oceanic plate move into the continental plate and form the so-called ophiolites. Ophiolites consist of soil and rocks containing serpentine-type asbestos. There is an increase in ARDs in regions close to ophiolites. Indoor exposure and outdoor exposure to NOA, outdoor exposure to industrial asbestos and mines, urbanization and construction works in NOA regions are the known sources and types of environmental asbestos exposure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although there is an expectance of decline in ARDs caused by industrial exposure to asbestos, the environmental exposure to asbestos is still a challenge waiting to be overcome.
authors.affiliation: aDepartment of Pulmonology, Bezmialem Vakif University bDepartment of Pulmonology, Yedikule Teaching Hospital for Chest Disease and Chest Surgery, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Mehmet
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bayram
authors.forename: Nur Dilek
authors.initials: ND
authors.lastname: Bakan
mesh_terms: D001194:Asbestos / Q000633:toxicity*; D002273:Carcinogens / Q000633:toxicity*; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005844:Geology; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D008654:Mesothelioma / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000517:prevention & control; D012307:Risk Factors; D012987:Soil; D014507:Urbanization
chemical_list: D002273:Carcinogens; D012987:Soil; D001194:Asbestos