title: Determination of inorganic fiber density in human lung tissue by scanning electron microscopy after low temperature ashing.
abstract: The concentration of asbestos fibers in lung tissue may give information about previous occupational asbestos exposure. A procedure for the preparation, quantification and identification of asbestos fibers in human tissue is presented in this report. The procedure is based on low-temperature plasma ashing of dry tissue, examination of the ash by scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis. The advantages and disadvantages of this method are also discussed briefly.
mesh_terms: D001194:Asbestos / Q000032:analysis*; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000032:analysis*; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D009787:Occupational Medicine; D013696:Temperature
chemical_list: D001194:Asbestos