Lung Asbestos Content in Lungs Resected for Primary Lung Cancer
Casey M. WrightRayleen BowmanMaxine E. TanMaria U. MartinsRebecca E. McLachlanLinda PassmoreMorgan WindsorBelinda E. ClarkeEdwina DuhigAnnabelle MaharKwun M. Fong
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Asbestosis
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Asbestos is a naturally-occurring mineral and has been mined and used for multiple purposes by many industries worldwide (1). Exposure to asbestos fibres can cause life-threatening illnesses, so use of asbestos has been greatly reduced and it is now banned in 61 countries, including Australia (1). This time, we are honored to interview Prof. Nico van Zandwijk, who has been actively involved in the research on asbestos-related cancers and directed the Asbestos Diseases Research Institute (ADRI), University of Sydney, Concord, NSW, Australia from 2008 till 2017.
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Background: Asbestos mining and other activities have left a legacy of environmental contamination. Asbestos was used in a large number of manufactured products but little is documented about the nature and location of these products. Compliance with asbestos regulations depends on accurate identifi cation of the presence of asbestos. The National Institute for Occupational Health (NIOH) has been identifying asbestos for regulatory purposes since 2003. Objective: To analyse a database of samples submitted for asbestos analysis to the NIOH. Methods: Asbestos was identifi ed using scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy. The data were analysed using STATISTICA version 11. Results: From 2003 to 2012, 1514 samples were analysed. Asbestos was identifi ed in 59.9% of the bulk samples and crocidolite was present in 45.4% of these. Information about samples containing asbestos, including their origin and associated activities, are described. Conclusions: Although asbestos is no longer mined or used in South Africa, workers remain at risk of exposure due to asbestos-containing materials which persist in the environment. Knowledge of these materials gained from routinely collected data may assist in the safe removal of asbestos and prevent further adverse health effects.
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There are millions of workers whose exposure to asbestos dust prior to the implementation of asbestos regulation and improved control measures places them at risk of asbestos-related disease today. In addition, workers are still being exposed to significant amounts of asbestos, when asbestos materials in place are disturbed during renovation, repair, or demolition. Given the continued presence of asbestos-containing materials in industrial, commercial, and residential settings throughout the U.S., a sizeable population remains at risk of asbestos-related disease. This article reviews the health effects associated with exposure to asbestos and delineates the steps necessary for the comprehensive screening and clinical assessment for asbestos-related disease, in order to assist physicians in identifying and preventing illness associated with exposure to asbestos among their patients. Am. J. Ind. Med. 37:6–22, 2000. © 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
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Asbestos had been produced from the 1930s to the early 1990s in Korea. There has been gradual increase of importing asbestos until the middle 1990s in response to increased use of asbestos as Korea's economy developed rapidly. Asbestos was mainly used to make constructional material like slate, which leads to constant exposure of asbestos even after forbidding its use. It was reported that the highest level of occupational asbestos exposure occurred in asbestos textile industries. Other industries including shipbuild repair, automobile repair, and demolition work are also reported to have high level of exposure. The number of exposed workers, except for some demolition workers, is expected to be reduced since the use of asbestos has been banned from 2009. However, asbestos already used in buildings will make continuous environmental exposures. There are also several reports on naturally occurring asbestos from soils in Korea, which had already happened in Turkey, Greece, and China. The Korean government should try to give more effort to control the used asbestos and to care for exposed people.
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There are millions of workers whose exposure to asbestos dust prior to the implementation of asbestos regulation and improved control measures places them at risk of asbestos-related disease today. In addition, workers are still being exposed to significant amounts of asbestos, when asbestos materials in place are disturbed during renovation, repair, or demolition. Given the continued presence of asbestos-containing materials in industrial, commercial, and residential settings throughout the U.S., a sizeable population remains at risk of asbestos-related disease. This article reviews the health effects associated with exposure to asbestos and delineates the steps necessary for the comprehensive screening and clinical assessment for asbestos-related disease, in order to assist physicians in identifying and preventing illness associated with exposure to asbestos among their patients. Am. J. Ind. Med. 37:6–22, 2000. © 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
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A continued increase in the incidence of diffuse mesothelioma has been attributed to greater industrial use of asbestos but is also due in part to wider acceptance of this tumor by pathologists. In this retrospective study, the epidemiology, clinical presentation, and pathology of asbestos and non-asbestos-related mesothelioma from a major urban hospital were reviewed. Of the 36 cases of mesothelioma on file, 19 were not associated with exposure to asbestos. Although a retrospective study raises the possibility of inadequate occupational histories, the lack of history of asbestos exposure correlated with postmortem histology by light microscopy. When postmortem material was reviewed, evidence of asbestos exposure was present in all cases of mesothelioma with history of exposure to asbestos, and in no cases in which the patient denied history of asbestos exposure. Using strict histologic and histochemical criteria, the diagnosis of mesothelioma was confirmed in 8 of 9 patients with asbestos-related mesothelioma but in only 4 of 13 cases of non-asbestos-related mesothelioma. The diagnosis of diffuse methelioma is often difficult to make even wtih complete autopsy examinations. It should be entertained only with adherence to strict clinical and pathologic criteria, especially in women with no history to exposure to asbestos dust.
Asbestosis
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In Korea, national statistics for asbestos exposure levels covering various asbestos industries and associated with specific years have never been published. The authors analyzed 2,089 asbestos exposure data sets compiled from 1995 through 2006. Exposure levels were characterized according to type of asbestos industry and year. Asbestos exposure levels have decreased over time, dropping sharply from 0.92 fibers/cc (f/cc) in 1996 to 0.60 f/cc in 1997, to 0.19 f/cc in 1998, and to 0.06 f/cc in 1999, possibly in part because of enforcement of 1997 legislation banning the use of amosite and crocidolite. In particular, a substantial reduction in asbestos exposure levels was most evident among primary industries handling raw asbestos directly. A similar relationship was found between a significant decline in asbestos consumption volume and the timing of regulation enforcement.
Chrysotile
Consumption
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Amphibole asbestos fibers and non-asbestos amphibole particles have been shown to have different size characteristics, in addition to their morphological differences. There is a tendency, however, among laboratories and some regulators to ignore the morphological differences and to simply rely on a minimal aspect ratio to determine whether a particle is an asbestos fiber. This study, part of a larger evaluation of amphibole minerals, was undertaken to provide supporting size data that can be used to identify populations of asbestos and non-asbestos amphibole minerals. The asbestos samples average 0.27 μm in width with 90% thinner than 0.5 μm. In contrast, the non-asbestos amphiboles average 0.97 μm wide with 75% wider than 0.53 μm. The average aspect ratios were 76 : 1 for asbestos and 16 : 1 for the non-asbestos samples. These data confirm the historical distinctions of asbestos and non-asbestos amphibole minerals.
Amphibole
Asbestos fibers
Chrysotile
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Objectives Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is a rare and generally fatal cancer, usually caused by asbestos, although about 5–10% of cases report no asbestos exposure. This study aimed to identify sources whereby people in Western Australia (WA) may be unknowingly exposed to asbestos or to other exposures which may cause MM. Methods Cases with no known asbestos exposure were selected from the WA Mesothelioma Register (WAMR). Matched controls were selected from hospital patients admitted for conditions unrelated to asbestos. Occupational histories were coded by an industrial hygienist. Data were analyzed using conditional logistic regression. Results Thirty‐eight MM participants and 134 controls were recruited. Risk of MM was increased (OR = 3.1, 95%CI 1.0–9.6) after no known, but likely, exposure to asbestos at work. Conclusions Because of its extensive use, few people in WA have never been exposed to asbestos. Unrecognized exposure may cause most MM cases initially regarded as “no exposure.” Am. J. Ind. Med. 60:432–436, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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