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Analysis of asbestos bodies in BAL from subjects with particular exposures
Author(s) -
De Vuyst Paul,
Dumortier Pascal,
Gevenois Pierre Alain
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
american journal of industrial medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.7
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1097-0274
pISSN - 0271-3586
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1097-0274(199706)31:6<699::aid-ajim5>3.0.co;2-m
Subject(s) - asbestos , asbestosis , medicine , tremolite , pathology , bronchoalveolar lavage , pneumoconiosis , occupational exposure , mesothelioma , occupational disease , lung , environmental health , metallurgy , materials science
Four patients with asbestos‐related diseases and with unusual exposures underwent bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) for mineralogical analysis. Asbestos bodies (AB) were counted by light microscopy and analyzed by transmission electron microscopy and X‐ray energy spectrometry. AB's were found in all cases, after a mean delay from the end of exposure of 27.7 years. Analysis of the core fibers indicated the type of alveolar asbestos burden and was compared with the previous exposures: —Pleural plaques due to household exposure to amosite and crocidolite. —Pleural plaques due to occult occupational exposure to crocidolite in a coal miner. —Asbestosis due to environmental exposure to tremolite in Turkey. —Asbestosis, pleural plaques, and peritoneal mesothelioma due to a short, intense exposure to crocidolite. AB counting in BAL and identification of the central fibers by analytical electron microscopy is a useful, non‐invasive and reliable method to evaluate the alveolar retention of bio‐persistent fibers and to relate them to specific exposures. Am. J. Ind. Med. 31:699–704, 1997. © 1997 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.