title: Measurement of asbestos fibre concentrations in fluid of repeated bro-choalveolar lavages of exposed workers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to assess the reliability of asbestos fibre concentration in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) by carrying out the mineralogical analysis of BALF at different times in the same patient and comparing the results.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty two patients underwent diagnostic fibreoptic bronchoscopy twice: the first was to assess the past asbestos exposure and the second for different clinical reasons. Mineralogical analysis of BALF was carried out.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 16 patients (72.7%), a reduction of concentration in BALF of all asbestos fibres was observed. The concentrations of both chrysotile and amphiboles in the first bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) were related to their concentrations in the second BAL and the observed differences were not statistically significant. A significant decrease in asbestos body concentration between the first and the second BAL was found (Wilcoxon test, P < 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The reliability of the fibre concentration in BALF as a marker of past asbestos exposure seems quite good. In most cases, it allows us to distinguish workers in different classes of exposure and gives useful information on the pattern of exposure. Uncertainties related in general to lung residues and in particular to mineralogical analysis of BALF (mainly due to the high coefficient of variation (CV) at low fibre concentrations and the results of the statistical analysis on total fibres) suggest that this biomarker is more likely suitable for a qualitative/categorical approach to exposure assessment than a quantitative one.
authors: Section of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology, Department of Clinical Medicine and Immunological Sciences, University of Siena, Italy. sartorelli@unisi.it
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Sartorelli
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Romeo
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Scancarello
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Montomoli
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Muzzupappa
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Barabesi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001194:Asbestos / Q000032:analysis*; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid; D001999:Bronchoscopy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008875:Middle Aged; D019016:Mineral Fibers / Q000032:analysis*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results
chemical_list: D019016:Mineral Fibers; D001194:Asbestos