Naturally occurring asbestos in quarries: southern Spain as a case study

Abstract

[EN]The Nevado-Filábride Complex (NFC) area (southern Spain) is well known for the widespread mining and quarrying activities. Serpentinite and metabasite rock types are extracted, processed and traded as building and ornamental stones. Due to possible presence of Naturally Occurring Asbestos (NOA) minerals in these lithotypes, the aim of the investigation of this paper is to discern about the presence of these fibrous minerals and to characterize them in detail. In order to do this, seven serpentinite rock samples were collected in four quarries located in Sierra Nevada and Sierra de los Filabres (South-eastern Spain) and studied by X-ray powder diffractometry (XRPD), Scanning Electron Microscopy combined with Energy-Dispersive Spectrometry (SEM/EDS), Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Derivative Thermogravimetry (DTG) and by X-ray Synchrotron microtomography (SR-µCT). The investigation of asbestos minerals is very important not only from a scientific point of view, but also from a legislative one, especially for the administrative agencies that have to take decisions with regards to the implementation of health protection to workers (e. g., quarry excavations, road yards, civil constructions, building stones).