Pietro Gino Barbieri1, Anna Somigliana2, Yao Chen3, Dario Consonni4, Roberto Vignola5, Luigi Finotto6. 1. Formerly Mesothelioma Registry, Occupational Health Unit, Local Health Authority, Brescia, Italy. 2. Centre of Electronic Microscopy, Lombardy Environmental Protection Agency (ARPA), Milan, Italy. 3. Public Health Department, Forensic Medical Unit, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy. 4. Epidemiology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy. 5. Occupational Health Unit, Local Health Authority, Broni (PV), Italy. 6. Occupational Health Unit, Local Health Authority, Monfalcone (GO), Italy.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) due to environmental and familial (domestic) asbestos exposure is well recognized. However, information on cumulative asbestos dose in subjects affected by MPM is limited. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the residual lung asbestos fibre and asbestos body burden in women with MPM with past environmental and/or familial asbestos exposure. METHODS: We collected lung samples from autopsies regarding 15 non-occupationally asbestos-exposed MPM cases, divided in three groups: (i) familial exposure from the Fincantieri shipyards in Monfalcone (No. 7), (ii) environmental and familial asbestos exposure from the asbestos-cement plant Fibronit in Broni (No. 6), and (iii) environmental exposure from the Fibronit plant (No. 2). Asbestos body (AB) and fibres (AF) per gram of dry lung tissue were counted by optical and scanning electron microscopy, respectively, and expressed as geometric means and standard deviations (GM, GSD). RESULTS: GM/GSD of AB counts were 6123/9.6 (Group 1), 13 800/10.4 (Group 2), and 8400/1.1 (Group 3); GM/GSD of AF were 0.6/2.1 (Group 1), 7.9/2.1 (Group 2), and 6.0/2.3 (Group 3) million. Pleural plaques were observed in 12 cases. CONCLUSIONS: Exclusive familial exposure to asbestos determined cumulative doses close to those observed in moderate occupational exposure circumstances. Our results also suggest that combined environmental and familial exposures may cause unexpectedly high cumulative fibre doses.
BACKGROUND:Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) due to environmental and familial (domestic) asbestos exposure is well recognized. However, information on cumulative asbestos dose in subjects affected by MPM is limited. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the residual lung asbestos fibre and asbestos body burden in women with MPM with past environmental and/or familial asbestos exposure. METHODS: We collected lung samples from autopsies regarding 15 non-occupationally asbestos-exposed MPM cases, divided in three groups: (i) familial exposure from the Fincantieri shipyards in Monfalcone (No. 7), (ii) environmental and familial asbestos exposure from the asbestos-cement plant Fibronit in Broni (No. 6), and (iii) environmental exposure from the Fibronit plant (No. 2). Asbestos body (AB) and fibres (AF) per gram of dry lung tissue were counted by optical and scanning electron microscopy, respectively, and expressed as geometric means and standard deviations (GM, GSD). RESULTS: GM/GSD of AB counts were 6123/9.6 (Group 1), 13 800/10.4 (Group 2), and 8400/1.1 (Group 3); GM/GSD of AF were 0.6/2.1 (Group 1), 7.9/2.1 (Group 2), and 6.0/2.3 (Group 3) million. Pleural plaques were observed in 12 cases. CONCLUSIONS: Exclusive familial exposure to asbestos determined cumulative doses close to those observed in moderate occupational exposure circumstances. Our results also suggest that combined environmental and familial exposures may cause unexpectedly high cumulative fibre doses.
Authors: Silvia Damiana Visonà; Silvana Capella; Sofia Bodini; Paola Borrelli; Simona Villani; Eleonora Crespi; Andrea Frontini; Claudio Colosio; Elena Belluso Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-02-19 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Dario Mirabelli; Alessia Angelini; Pietro Gino Barbieri; Roberto Calisti; Fabio Capacci; Paolo Girardi; Stefano Silvestri; Anna Benedetta Somigliana Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-07-05 Impact factor: 3.390