Fiber exposure reassessed with the new indices

Journal Article · Thu Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1990 · Environmental Research; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/S0013-9351(05)80187-2· OSTI ID:6936610

Schneider, T; Skotte, J ^[1]

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1. Danish National Institute of Occupational Health, Copenhagen (Netherland)

The concentration of airborne fibers longer than 5 microns, thinner than 3 microns, and with an aspect ratio exceeding 3 as counted by phase contrast optical microscopy is the most widely used fiber exposure index. Recently, more adequate, specific exposure indices for asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma risk have been suggested by Lippmann. The consequences of using these indices are examined on the basis of calculations for a broad range of theoretical and published size distributions. Optical microscopy appears to be a good predictor of the exposure indices for asbestosis and for lung cancer after scaling. Only fibers longer than about 3 microns need to be counted in a transmission electron microscope. The lung cancer index still cannot explain the large differences of risk among chrysotile exposures. Both the mesothelioma exposure index and the ratio mesothelioma to lung cancer index ranks in order of increasing risk: wollastonite, glass and mineral wool, amosite, glass microfibers, chrysotile, and crocidolite. Amosite is thus not ranked according to epidemiological evidence. Detailed size information should be made available so that the size criteria can be adjusted. It may still prove necessary to use fiber type specific concentration limits.

• OSTI ID: 6936610
• Journal Information: Environmental Research; (USA), Journal Name: Environmental Research; (USA) Vol. 51:1; ISSN ENVRA; ISSN 0013-9351
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560300* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMALS
ASBESTOS
BODY
DISEASES
ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE
FIBERS
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
LUNGS
MAMMALS
MAN
MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE EXPOSURE
MICROSCOPY
NEOPLASMS
ORGANS
PARTICLE SIZE
PRIMATES
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
RISK ASSESSMENT
SAFETY STANDARDS
SIZE
STANDARDS
VERTEBRATES