Fiber size and number in workers exposed to processed chrysotile asbestos, chrysotile miners, and the general population

Journal Article · Tue Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1985 · Am. J. Ind. Med.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/ajim.4700090205· OSTI ID:5659487

Churg, A; Wiggs, B

We analyzed chrysotile and chrysotile-associated amphibole (largely tremolite) asbestos fibers in 21 workers exposed to various types of processed (milled) chrysotile ore, 20 long-term chrysotile miners, and 20 members of the general population (controls). Significantly greater amounts of both chrysotile and tremolite were found in processed-ore workers and miners than in controls. On average, the mean fiber lengths and aspect ratios for the mining and processed-ore-exposed workers were similar and were significantly greater than the values seen in the controls; within the processed-ore group, there was a marked variation in these parameters, and some workers appeared to be exposed to fairly long, thin fibers. It was found empirically that the fiber size data, and to a lesser extent the concentration data, could be used to classify workers accurately into those with processed-ore exposure and controls. We conclude that fiber sizes in the lungs of processed-ore-exposed workers are similar to those of chrysotile miners and are considerably longer than those found in the general population; some processed-ore workers have longer fibers which might be responsible for higher disease incidences in certain working groups; tremolite accompanies chrysotile in a variable proportion of workers exposed to processed chrysotile products and might be important in the genesis of mesothelioma in such workers; and mineralogic analysis will usually detect exposure even when chrysotile has largely disappeared from lung tissue.

• Research Organization: Univ. of British Columbia, Vancouver
• OSTI ID: 5659487
• Journal Information: Am. J. Ind. Med.; (United States), Journal Name: Am. J. Ind. Med.; (United States) Vol. 2; ISSN AJIMD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550900 -- Pathology
560306* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Man-- (-1987)
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
AIR POLLUTION
ASBESTOS
AUTOPSY
BODY
DIAGNOSTIC TECHNIQUES
DISEASES
FIBERS
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
INORGANIC ACIDS
LUNGS
MINING
OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE
ORGANS
PATHOGENESIS
PERSONNEL
POLLUTION
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM DISEASES
SILICIC ACID
SIZE