Inferences on the kinetics of asbestos deposition and clearance among chrysotile miners and millers

Finkelstein, MM; Dufresne, A

HERO ID

709609

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year

1999

Language

English

PMID

10086201

HERO ID 709609
In Press No
Year 1999
Title Inferences on the kinetics of asbestos deposition and clearance among chrysotile miners and millers
Authors Finkelstein, MM; Dufresne, A
Journal American Journal of Industrial Medicine
Volume 35
Issue 4
Page Numbers 401-412
Abstract Background: The health effects of asbestos are intimately related to the fate of inhaled fibers in the lungs. The kinetics of asbestos fibers have been studied primarily in rodents. The objective of this study was to explore the application of these kinetic models to human autopsy data. Methods: We analyzed the asbestos fiber content of the lungs of 72 Quebec chrysotile miners and millers and 49 control subjects using analytical transmission electron microscopy. Statistical methods included standard multivariate linear regression and locally weighted regression methods. Results: The lung burdens of asbestos bodies and chrysotile and tremolite fibers were correlated, as were the concentrations of short, medium, and long fibers of each asbestos variety. There were significant associations between the duration of occupational exposure and the burdens of chrysotile and tremolite. The concentration of chrysotile decreased with the time since last exposure but the concentration of tremolite did not. The clearance rate varied inversely with the length of chrysotile fibers. For fibers greater than 10μ in length the clearance half-time was estimated to be 8 years. Conclusions: The patterns in our data are compatible with both of the hypotheses suggested from rodent experiments; the existence of a long-term sequestration compartment and overload of clearance mechanisms in this compartment.
Doi 10.1002/(SICI)1097-0274(199904)35:4<401::AID-AJIM12>3.0.CO;2-4
Pmid 10086201
Wosid WOS:000078980300012
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Is Public Yes
Language Text English
Keyword asbestos fibers; lung models; kinetics; deposition; clearance
Is Qa No