Exposure hazards from continuing use and removal of asbestos cement products.

This article reviews airborne asbestos exposures associated with the installation, maintenance, and removal of asbestos cement (AC) products, which remain widely used globally despite declining overall asbestos consumption. It summarizes published and unpublished data showing that task-specific exposures during cutting of AC pipes and sheets frequently exceed the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) short-term Excursion Limit (EL) of 1 fiber per cubic centimeter (f/cm³), with mean exposures of 53.8 f/cm³ for pipe cutting and 24.0 f/cm³ for sheet cutting. The review highlights that intermittent high exposures, common in these activities, pose significant lifetime risks for asbestos-related diseases, including mesothelioma, and notes that safer substitute materials for AC products exist. The findings underscore ongoing health risks from AC product use and removal, particularly in countries with less regulation or awareness.