The environmental pollution potential of asbestos products is a worldwide health issue, but their dissemination through the water–soil continuum is often an overlooked aspect. Similarly, the behavior of asbestos fibers released from the products is still not fully understood, although our knowledge is based on studies concerning their mineralogical characteristics, health effects, and waste disposal. It has been claimed and contradicted that asbestos harm is only found in air and humans. Asbestos fibers are found not only in industrial settings but also through the industrial use of asbestos cement products, which has contributed to asbestos emissions and its movement in water and soil. Asbestos fibers are diverse in their physicochemical properties, and this diversity has a significant influence on their behavior in the environment. Recent research has confirmed that asbestos can be transported by water and spread to other parts of the environment. However, the mechanisms underlying this, such as the settling of fibers, their attachment to soil particles, or their movement in groundwater, as well as the environmental and health implications, require further investigation. This paper examines the process and impact of asbestos contamination in the interconnected water, soil, and plant environmental sectors, providing a systematic review of the latest literature.

Urban policymakers, researchers, and municipal planners increasingly face the challenge of managing complex sustainability transitions, particularly in contexts involving persistent environmental hazards such as asbestos contamination. This systematic review applies the Multi-Level Perspective (MLP), which examines interactions between niche innovations, socio-technical regimes, and broader landscapes, to the underexplored area of asbestos-free urban transitions. The concept of an “asbestos-free city” is introduced in this paper as a novel analytical lens to describe urban transitions aiming to eliminate asbestos-related risks through systemic, sustainable interventions. The review was conducted through a structured qualitative analysis of peer-reviewed academic literature, guided by predefined thematic criteria and relevance to urban asbestos-related transitions. The review highlights the factors that enable or hinder the adoption of asbestos-free and strong sustainable solutions, as well as the role of various actors, such as policymakers, industry, and civil society, in driving these transitions. Despite the growing body of work on sustainability transitions, the integration of MLP into asbestos-related urban transformation remains limited. This paper fills that gap by offering a structured synthesis and proposing a roadmap for future research and practice. Our findings provide actionable insights for actors across policy, civil society, and industry seeking to accelerate transitions toward asbestos-free and sustainable cities.

Rainwater harvesting is increasingly recognized as a sustainable solution for water management, especially in areas affected by water scarcity. However, the potential pollution risks linked to asbestos cement roofing materials, widely used in residential areas, have not been thoroughly explored. This paper addresses this gap by assessing the effects of asbestos cement roof degradation on the quality of harvested rainwater, focusing on its suitability for irrigation. The research combines controlled laboratory experiments and field-based sampling of rainwater in contact with asbestos cement surfaces. Significant changes in water quality were observed, notably, the analysis highlights a substantial increase in heavy metal contamination, including a 75.4% rise in mercury concentration and a dramatic 127.3% increase in lead levels. The findings underscore the need for extensive investigations into the impact of asbestos cement roofs on water quality in Hungary, considering the varying characteristics and contamination levels of asbestos cement products across countries as well as the limited existing scholarship on the subject in Hungary. This research is novel in its pioneering examination of the effects of asbestos cement roofing on harvested rainwater quality in Hungary, with a particular focus on heavy metal contamination (e.g., lead, mercury, zinc), which poses significant environmental and health risks. Graphical Abstract

This paper provides an examination of the impacts of the circular economy within the framework of ESG criteria, emphasizing the interplay between these domains. The research aims to explore how circular economy principles can enhance ESG performance while identifying synergies and trade-offs across the three pillars. A methodology leveraging European Union datasets and indicators is applied, comparing to the ESG performance values of individual European Union member states. The findings indicate that integrating circular economy practices into ESG strategies enhances environmental outcomes, such as resource efficiency and waste reduction, while fostering social equity and improving governance transparency. However, challenges related to metric standardization and data harmonization across regions present limitations. The paper provides implications for policymakers, businesses, and investors by offering a framework for embedding circular economy principles within ESG strategies to drive sustainable development. The novelty of the research lies in the use of the first coherent and comprehensive index database for comparisons, leveraging European Union data to deepen the understanding of the relationships between circular economy principles and ESG (environmental, social, and governance) domains. By addressing a gap in the literature, this work contributes to the development of actionable tools for assessing and improving sustainability practices across industries.

This paper investigates how plants respond to stress caused by asbestos cement products in irrigation water. It presents a thorough evaluation of the exposure and risk factors for plants, water, and soil when exposed to these materials. The experimental results provide empirical evidence of plant stress responses based on physiological and germination parameters. The research is motivated by concerns about environmental contamination from asbestos cement in irrigation water, which can be toxic to plants and lead to soil pollution, negatively impacting vegetation and soil quality. When exposed to asbestos in water, plants experience toxic stress that can inhibit photosynthesis, nutrient uptake, and germination. Asbestos can also adversely affect cell division and metabolism, risking plant growth, reproduction, and overall health, as well as making them more susceptible to disease and pests under environmental stress. The paper examines the impact on germination and physiological parameters of Trifolium pratense, Medicago sativa, and Solanum lycopersicum, particularly how they were affected by pre-established concentrations of irrigation water mixed with asbestos cement during a controlled germination experiment. The research methodology was developed in the absence of established global practices, standards, and methods, creating an opportunity for further methodological advancement. The findings could serve as a situational analysis for professionals in environmental plant protection and analytical fields.

Asbestos cement materials represent a persistent source of environmental contamination, particularly in urban areas where weathering facilitates the release of hazardous chrysotile fibres. Despite extensive research on the human health impacts of asbestos, ecological interactions remain poorly understood. This paper explores the dual role of bryophytes colonising asbestos cement roofing as passive filters that trap airborne fibres and as vulnerable organisms subjected to asbestos-induced stress. Using a synthesis of recent findings, we assess the capacity of mosses to immobilise chrysotile fibres through their dense, mat-like structures, potentially reducing local dispersion. Simultaneously, we examine physiological and biochemical responses to prolonged fibre exposure, including reduced photosynthetic activity and signs of oxidative stress. The findings highlight a paradoxical function of bryophytes: while they contribute to pollution mitigation, they also accumulate contaminants and suffer from sublethal damage. These interactions may have broader implications for contaminant redistribution, particularly through decomposition and trophic transfer. Understanding these dynamics is essential for advancing ecological risk assessments and developing sustainable remediation strategies in asbestos-contaminated habitats.