ABSTRACT:A comparative study of the concentration of asbestos fibers in drinking water supplies of southeastern Quebec was undertaken to assess the relative contributions of fibers by asbestos‐bearing railway ballast and naturally occurring asbestos deposits. Water samples were taken from areas where one or the other potential sources or neither potential source was present. In addition, rainwater samples were taken to assess the importance of atmospheric contributions. The sampling design accounted for potential variations in fiber counts due to the season, location and analytical procedures.Fiber concentrations were estimated from counts made on a JEOL 100CX scanning transmission electron microscope and statistically compared among areas. These levels were then compared with levels found in other areas of Canada and the United States.The results indicate that the rail ballast could be contributing statistically (albeit marginally) significant quantities of fibers to water supplies during the summer but not in the spring. Estimated concentrations in water supplies ranged between 1.7 × 106fibers/liter and 147.8 × 106fibers/liter. Fiber levels in samples taken during the spring were significantly higher and more variable than those taken during the summer. The presence of fibers in rainwater samples at concentrations of 1.9 × 106fibers/liter, 18.3 × 106fibers/liter and 23.7 × 106fibers/liter suggests that atmospheric transport may play an important role in contributing fibers to regional systems. Fiber levels found in these systems are not unique when compared to levels observed elsewhere in North A
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