[Assessment of asbestos exposure via mineralogical analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid].
BACKGROUND
Mineralogical analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) by electron microscopy could be the most suitable method for assessing asbestos exposure. However, it has been claimed that there is not a standardized or systematic approach to the subject of mineralogical analysis.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to evaluate mineralogical analysis of BALF by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) as biomarker of asbestos fibre load.


METHODS
BALF was examined in 193 exposed workers (189 men and 4 women) and in 84 patients (65 men and 19 women) who underwent diagnostic fibreoptic bronchoscopy for various clinical purposes. Asbestos bodies (AB) in BALF were counted with a phase contrast microscope, while fibres were counted and analysed by TEM.


RESULTS
Fibre counting by TEM showed a significant difference in the two populations (two tailed Mann-Whitney U test, p=0.0044), since it was positive in all exposed subjects. Only 75.1% of the exposed population was positive for asbestos bodies (AB). Subjects who had been exposed over a long time period had higher concentrations of fibres than subjects who had been exposed more recently probably because of higher exposure in the past.


CONCLUSIONS
The study confirms the results of a previous study on a limited number of subjects. Fibre concentrations in BALF can be considered as a reliable biomarker of past asbestos exposure even after many years after cessation of exposure.
Romeo
R
R
Sezione di Medicina del Lavoro, Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Scienze Immunologiche, Università degli Studi di Siena.
Scancarello
G
G
Cassano
P
P
Cioni
F
F
Bacaloni
A
A
Sartorelli
P
P
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001194:Asbestos / Q000032:analysis*; D001195:Asbestosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000737:chemistry*; D001999:Bronchoscopy; D004577:Electron Probe Microanalysis; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008654:Mesothelioma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008875:Middle Aged; D019016:Mineral Fibers / Q000032:analysis*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013997:Time Factors
D019016:Mineral Fibers; D001194:Asbestos