Naturally occurring asbestos in Southern Italy: Geological and mineralogical investigation of fibrous antigorite from Calabrian serpentinites in view of its hazard assessment.

In the last few decades, non-occupational asbestos-related diseases have been documented in populations living near naturally occurring asbestos (NOA) sites, including regions in Greece, Cyprus, China, New Caledonia, Turkey, and Italy. This highlights the critical need to assess geological and environmental hazards associated with NOA. Fibrous antigorite, among the >400 naturally occurring fibrous minerals, has emerged as a potential health and environmental hazard.