US EPA

3092730 

Journal Article 

Lung-content analysis in cases of asbestos-related lung cancer and mesothelioma 

Pooley, FD 

2001 

Yes 

Canadian Mineralogist
ISSN: 0008-4476
EISSN: 1499-1276 

37-37 

English 

WOS:000169543300005 

http:///www.Canmin.mac.Ottawa@sympatico.ca
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Lung-content analysis to assess the presence of asbestos fibers using analytical transmission electron microscopy has yielded useful results. Such studies have revealed an important role of amphibole fibers in the etiology of mesotheliomas and confirmed the observation that asbestos bodies form predominantly on amphibole-asbestos. Cases of mesothelioma occurring among groups of individuals with various sources of occupational exposure to asbestos consistently have amphibole-asbestos as the most common fiber in their lung parenchyma, whereas chrysotile asbestos is most common in the controls. No cases have been reported in which chrysotile asbestos only has been found in concentration exceeding those found in controls. Other correlations of asbestos-related disease were found in pathology series of 189 naval dockyard workers (74 pleural mesothelioma and 49 lung cancer). Where lung-content analysis was undertaken, the severity of the asbestosis in the individual cases is correlated with the amphibole-asbestos content of the lung parenchyma but not chrysotile. Lung cancer was found to be associated with asbestosis and heavy exposure to asbestos dust, whereas the cases of mesothelioma were associated with more moderate asbestosis and lower concentrations of amphibole-asbestos in the lung parenchyma. 

Physical Sciences - Other Topics