Title: Pleural mesothelioma and neighborhood asbestos exposure

Abstract

Widespread use and occupational exposure to asbestos in US shipyards, particularly during World War II, is one reason for the currently high incidence of asbestos-related diseases, including lung cancer and mesothelioma. There is typically a long latency period between asbestos exposure and resulting disease. A case report is presented which lends additional credence to the earlier suggestion that exposure to asbestos in the neighborhood of the shipyard may be related to the development of malignant mesothelioma in this particular patient. The identification of amosite asbestos fibers in the lung tissue of the patient provides plausible evidence for this etiologic connection. Amosite asbestos is not found in the lungs of persons from the general population, and its occurrence, therefore, indicates either an occupational exposure or an exposure to a specific environmental source. Although only a very small portion of the total amount of asbestos used consists of amosite, this asbestos type is commonly used in shipbuilding and repair and was used a great deal in the shipyard adjacent to which our patient worked.

Authors:

Fischbein, A; Rohl, A N

Publication Date:

Fri Jul 06 00:00:00 EDT 1984

Research Org.:

Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, NY

OSTI Identifier:

5928242

Resource Type:

Journal Article

Journal Name:

JAMA, J. Am. Med. Assoc.; (United States)

Additional Journal Information:

Journal Volume: 252:1

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English

Subject:

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.; ASBESTOS; BIOLOGICAL ACCUMULATION; LUNGS; CHEMICAL ANALYSIS; NEOPLASMS; ETIOLOGY; AUTOPSY; ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE PATHWAY; LATENCY PERIOD; PATHOLOGY; PATIENTS; BODY; DIAGNOSTIC TECHNIQUES; DISEASES; ORGANS; RESPIRATORY SYSTEM; 560306* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology- Man- (-1987)