title: The role of analytical techniques in the diagnosis of asbestos-associated disease.
abstract: There is increasing concern over the adverse health effects resulting from asbestos exposure. The mineralogy of asbestos and the pathology of asbestos-associated diseases is briefly reviewed. Techniques for tissue sampling, histopathological diagnostic criteria and the role of light microscopy (LM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED), and X-ray diffractometry (XRD)--in the identification and quantitation of asbestos bodies and fibers in the lung tissue samples--are discussed. The value of a systematic quantitative approach is emphasized in order to differentiate the dose relationships and disease patterns.
mesh_terms: D001194:Asbestos / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D001195:Asbestosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D002283:Carcinoma, Bronchogenic / Q000473:pathology; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D006801:Humans; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000473:pathology; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D008654:Mesothelioma / Q000473:pathology; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D013052:Spectrometry, X-Ray Emission
chemical_list: D001194:Asbestos