title: Short, fine and WHO asbestos fibers in the lungs of quebec workers with an asbestos-related disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The possible role of short asbestos fibers in the development of asbestos-related diseases and availability of lung fiber burden data prompted this study on the relationships between fiber characteristics and asbestos-related diseases among compensated workers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data collected between 1988 and 2007 for compensation purposes were used; lung asbestos fibers content of 123 Quebec workers are described according to socio-demographic characteristics, job histories and diseases (asbestosis, mesothelioma, lung cancer).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most workers (85%) presented chrysotile fibers in their lungs, and respectively 76%, 64%, and 43% had tremolite, amosite, and crocidolite. Half of the total fibers were short, 30% were thin fibers and 20% corresponded to the World Health Organization definition of fibers (length ≥ 5 μm, diameter ≥ 0.2 and <3 μm). Chrysotile fibers were still observed in the lungs of workers 30 years or more after last exposure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings stress the relevance of considering several dimensional criteria to characterize health risks associated with asbestos inhalation.
authors.affiliation: Institut national de santé publique du Québec (INSPQ), Montreal, Quebec, Canada. georges.adib@inspq.qc.ca
authors.forename: Georges
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Adib
authors.forename: France
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Labrèche
authors.forename: Louise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: De Guire
authors.forename: Chantal
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dion
authors.forename: André
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dufresne
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry*; D001194:Asbestos / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry*; D001195:Asbestosis / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007221:Industry; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced*; D008297:Male; D008654:Mesothelioma / Q000139:chemically induced*; D008875:Middle Aged; D019016:Mineral Fibers / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D011792:Quebec
chemical_list: D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D019016:Mineral Fibers; D001194:Asbestos
keywords: amphiboles; chrysotile; fine fibers; lung fiber burden; short fibers