title: Determination of environmental exposure to asbestos (tremolite) and mesothelioma risks in the southeastern region of Turkey.
abstract: In this study, the authors examined the concentrations and mineralogical analyses of asbestos, and investigated mesothelioma risk in southeastern Anatolia, Turkey. They used a gravimetric dust sampler to collect samples from 2 villages and 2 asbestos mines (1 active). Samples were then evaluated by an X-ray diffractometer and an electron microscope. The authors found high concentrations of asbestos in an active mine (4.9 fibers[f]/cm3) and at a house that was plastered with asbestos (1.24 f/cm3) and had a very active population. They found a low concentration (0.0042 f/cm3) in indoor measurements taken in Armutova village, and an even lower concentration (0.000081 f/cm3) in the inactive mine environment. Outdoor measurements included a low concentration of 0.007 f/cm3 in the village environment, and a high concentration of 1.17 f/cm3 on the mine road during the passing of a sheep herd. The people in the region are continuously exposed to asbestos during normal activities. This cumulative exposure to asbestos carries sufficient risks for mesothelioma development.
authors.affiliation: Dicle University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Chest Diseases, Diyarbakir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Abdurrahman
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Senyigit
authors.forename: Abdurrahman
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dalgic
authors.forename: Orhan
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Kavak
authors.forename: Abdullah Cetin
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Tanrikulu
mesh_terms: D001194:Asbestos / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity*; D003625:Data Collection; D004391:Dust; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*; D016021:Epidemiologic Studies; D006798:Housing; D006801:Humans; D008654:Mesothelioma / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D008906:Mining; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D004391:Dust; D001194:Asbestos