Short, fine and WHO asbestos fibers in the lungs of Quebec workers with an asbestos-related disease
Adib, Georges ; Labrèche, France P. ; De Guire, Louise ; Dion, Chantal ; Dufresne, André
American Journal of Industrial Medicine
2013
56
9
14 p.
amphibole ; asbestos ; asbestosis ; chrysotile ; epidemiologic study ; fibre structure ; fibrogenic effects ; lung deposition
Asbestos
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ajim.22180
English
Bibliogr.
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?
m, diameter???0.2 and <3?
m). 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."
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