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Asbestos fiber type in malignant mesothelioma: an analytical scanning electron microscopic study of 94 cases.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Roggli, VL; Pratt, PC; Brody, AR
Published in: Am J Ind Med
April 1993

Although the association between asbestos exposure and malignant mesothelioma is indisputable, controversy continues regarding the relative contribution of the various types of asbestos fibers to the development of mesothelioma. We examined the types of asbestos fibers recovered from lung parenchyma in more than 90 cases of malignant mesothelioma from the United States, using an analytical scanning electron microscope. Almost half of the patients were former asbestos insulators or shipyard workers. The fibers were recovered from lung tissues obtained at autopsy or surgical resection by means of a sodium hypochlorite digestion procedure. Amosite asbestos was identified in 81% of the cases and accounted for 58% of all fibers 5 microns or greater in length. Tremolite/actinolite/anthophyllite were identified in 55% of the cases and accounted for 10% of all fiber types. Chrysotile was identified in 21% of the cases and accounted for 3% of fibers exceeding 5 microns in length. Crocidolite was found in 16% of the cases and accounted for 3% of fibers exceeding 5 microns in length. Nonasbestos mineral fibers (commonly found in the lungs of the general population) were observed in 71% of the cases and accounted for 25% of all fibers 5 microns or greater in length. The findings in this study are at odds with the assertion that crocidolite asbestos is responsible for most mesotheliomas in the United States.

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Published In

Am J Ind Med

DOI

ISSN

0271-3586

Publication Date

April 1993

Volume

23

Issue

4

Start / End Page

605 / 614

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Middle Aged
  • Mesothelioma
  • Male
  • Lung Neoplasms
  • Lung
  • Humans
  • Female
  • Environmental & Occupational Health
  • Electron Probe Microanalysis
  • Asbestos
 

Citation

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Roggli, V. L., Pratt, P. C., & Brody, A. R. (1993). Asbestos fiber type in malignant mesothelioma: an analytical scanning electron microscopic study of 94 cases. Am J Ind Med, 23(4), 605–614. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajim.4700230408
Roggli, V. L., P. C. Pratt, and A. R. Brody. “Asbestos fiber type in malignant mesothelioma: an analytical scanning electron microscopic study of 94 cases.Am J Ind Med 23, no. 4 (April 1993): 605–14. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajim.4700230408.
Roggli, V. L., et al. “Asbestos fiber type in malignant mesothelioma: an analytical scanning electron microscopic study of 94 cases.Am J Ind Med, vol. 23, no. 4, Apr. 1993, pp. 605–14. Pubmed, doi:10.1002/ajim.4700230408.
Journal cover image

Published In

Am J Ind Med

DOI

ISSN

0271-3586

Publication Date

April 1993

Volume

23

Issue

4

Start / End Page

605 / 614

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Middle Aged
  • Mesothelioma
  • Male
  • Lung Neoplasms
  • Lung
  • Humans
  • Female
  • Environmental & Occupational Health
  • Electron Probe Microanalysis
  • Asbestos