title: [Role of biometric analysis in the retrospective assessment of exposure to asbestos].
abstract: Despite intrinsic limitations due to differences in the bio-persistence of the various asbestos types, in the definition of control populations and in analytical techniques used by the laboratories, mineralogical analysis of biological samples is useful in the assessment of past exposure to asbestos. It provides additional information to occupational and environmental questionnaires, particularly when exposure to asbestos is doubtful, unknown or forgotten by a subject. Results should be interpreted taking into account clinical information. A positive result does not mean existence of asbestos-related disease. A negative result does not exclude previous significant asbestos exposure, clearly identified by an occupational questionnaire (particularly for exposure to chrysotile). Threshold values indicative of a high probability of previous asbestos exposure have been established for bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) samples and lung tissue samples. Quantification of asbestos bodies by light microscopy is easy to perform. Sensitivity and specificity of this analysis towards the total pulmonary asbestos fiber burden is good. Therefore this analysis should be performed first. Mineralogical analysis in BALF or lung tissue should be considered only when sampling is supported by diagnostic or therapeutic implications.
authors.affiliation: Service de pneumologie et pathologie professionnelle, Centre Hospitalier Intercommunal, Créteil.
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Pairon
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dumortier
mesh_terms: D001194:Asbestos / Q000032:analysis*; D001195:Asbestosis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000737:chemistry; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D006801:Humans; D019016:Mineral Fibers / Q000032:analysis; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D019016:Mineral Fibers; D001194:Asbestos