Mesothelioma and Other Respiratory Diseases may be Affected by the Size of Asbestos Fibers
Thursday, October 16th, 2008
A recent study was performed involving the role of chrysotile asbestos fibers and their dimensions in relation to the increased risk of respiratory diseases.
The study, which was conducted using previously exposed workers, indicated that the risk of respiratory diseases such as mesothelioma (a form of lung cancer) actually varies depending on the length and width of asbestos fibers.
The data was obtained by 3,072 exposed workers from an asbestos textile plant. According to one of the researchers, “A previously developed job exposure matrix based on phase contrast microscopy (PCM) was modified to provide fiber size-specific exposure estimates using date from a re-analysis of samples by transmission electron microscopy (TEM).
The study indicated there was a stronger chance for asbestosis, malignant mesothelioma, and lung cancer mortality from TEM-based exposure than there was from PCM-based exposure. However, both exposure types were found to be significantly impacted by the size of asbestos fibers.
In fact, asbestosis, mesothelioma, and lung cancer were all highly connected to the exposure of thin asbestos fibers. Longer fibers were found to be associated more with lung cancer than any of the other asbestos-related diseases.
The study between fiber length and asbestosis provided several inconsistencies and researchers were unable to conclude any of the findings relating to the disease.
Regardless of the findings involving asbestosis, asbestos fiber dimensions appear to be an important factor in determining the risk of related respiratory diseases.
Researchers from the study said, “Additional studies are needed of other asbestos cohorts to further elucidate the role of fiber dimension and type.”
This entry was posted on Thursday, October 16th, 2008 at 3:45 pm and is filed under Asbestos Exposure. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS feed. Responses are currently closed, but you trackback from your own site.
