Health effects of amosite mining and milling in South Africa.
This study focuses on the amosite mining region in South Africa and associated health effects, compared to other mined asbestos fiber types. Historically, dust and fiber levels were high in the amosite mills and mines, and many miners and members of the surrounding communities were exposed to the fibers. Research has shown that amosite produces both benign and malignant disease. Nevertheless, the mesotheliomagenic potential of amosite is several fold lower than crocidolite. The risk of disease associated with amosite exposure is difficult to quantify. Reasons for this include the scarcity of available information, including fiber measurements, and case ascertainment, as well as the juxtaposition of the amosite and crocidolite asbestos seams in South Africa.
Murray
Jill
J
National Institute for Occupational Health, National Health Laboratory Service, PO Box 4788, Johannesburg 2000, South Africa. jill.murray@nioh.nhls.ac.za
Nelson
Gill
G
D017639:Asbestos, Amosite / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001195:Asbestosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000266:history; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000266:history; D005260:Female; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008654:Mesothelioma / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology; D019016:Mineral Fibers / Q000009:adverse effects; D008906:Mining; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D013029:Space-Time Clustering
D019016:Mineral Fibers; D017639:Asbestos, Amosite