BACKGROUND: The possible role of short asbestos fibers in the development of asbestos-related diseases and availability of lung fiber burden data prompted this study on the relationships between fiber characteristics and asbestos-related diseases among compensated workers. METHODS: Data collected between 1988 and 2007 for compensation purposes were used; lung asbestos fibers content of 123 Quebec workers are described according to socio-demographic characteristics, job histories and diseases (asbestosis, mesothelioma, lung cancer). RESULTS: Most workers (85%) presented chrysotile fibers in their lungs, and respectively 76%, 64%, and 43% had tremolite, amosite, and crocidolite. Half of the total fibers were short, 30% were thin fibers and 20% corresponded to the World Health Organization definition of fibers (length ≥ 5 μm, diameter ≥ 0.2 and <3 μm). Chrysotile fibers were still observed in the lungs of workers 30 years or more after last exposure. CONCLUSION: Our findings stress the relevance of considering several dimensional criteria to characterize health risks associated with asbestos inhalation.
BACKGROUND: The possible role of short asbestos fibers in the development of asbestos-related diseases and availability of lung fiber burden data prompted this study on the relationships between fiber characteristics and asbestos-related diseases among compensated workers. METHODS: Data collected between 1988 and 2007 for compensation purposes were used; lung asbestos fibers content of 123 Quebec workers are described according to socio-demographic characteristics, job histories and diseases (asbestosis, mesothelioma, lung cancer). RESULTS: Most workers (85%) presented chrysotile fibers in their lungs, and respectively 76%, 64%, and 43% had tremolite, amosite, and crocidolite. Half of the total fibers were short, 30% were thin fibers and 20% corresponded to the World Health Organization definition of fibers (length ≥ 5 μm, diameter ≥ 0.2 and <3 μm). Chrysotile fibers were still observed in the lungs of workers 30 years or more after last exposure. CONCLUSION: Our findings stress the relevance of considering several dimensional criteria to characterize health risks associated with asbestos inhalation.
Authors: Christine S Lambert; Bruce H Alexander; Gurumurthy Ramachandran; Richard F MacLehose; Heather H Nelson; Andrew D Ryan; Jeffrey H Mandel Journal: Occup Environ Med Date: 2015-12-10 Impact factor: 4.402
Authors: Manuela Valenzuela; Margarita Giraldo; Sonia Gallo-Murcia; Juliana Pineda; Laura Santos; Juan Pablo Ramos-Bonilla Journal: Curr Environ Health Rep Date: 2016-12