title: Asbestos Lung Burden in Necroscopic Samples from the General Population of Milan, Italy.
abstract: The present study analysed the asbestos lung burden in necroscopic samples from 55 subjects free from asbestos-related diseases, collected between 2009 and 2011 in Milan, Italy. Multiple lung samples were analysed by light microscopy (asbestos bodies, AB) and EDXA-scanning electron microscopy (asbestos fibres and other inorganic fibres). Asbestos fibres were detected in 35 (63.6%) subjects, with a higher frequency for amphiboles than for chrysotile. Commercial (CA) and non-commercial amphiboles (NCA) were found in roughly similar frequencies. The estimated median value was 0.11 million fibres per gram of dry lung tissue (mf g(-1)) for all asbestos, 0.09 mf g(-1) for amphiboles. In 44 (80.0%) subjects no chrysotile fibres were detected. A negative relationship between asbestos mass-weighted fibre count and year of birth (and a corresponding positive increase with age) was observed for amphiboles [-4.15%, 95% confidence interval (CI) = -5.89 to -2.37], talc (-2.12%, 95% CI = -3.94 to -0.28), and Ti-rich fibres (-3.10%, 95% CI = -5.54 to -0.60), but not for chrysotile (-2.84%, 95% CI = -7.69 to 2.27). Residential district, birthplace, and smoking habit did not affect the lung burden of asbestos or inorganic fibres. Females showed higher burden only for amphiboles (0.12 versus 0.03 mf g(-1) in males, P = 0.07) and talc fibres (0.14 versus 0 mf g(-1) in males, P = 0.03). Chrysotile fibres were shorter and thinner than amphibole fibres and NCA fibres were thicker than CA ones. The AB prevalence was 16.4% (nine subjects) with concentrations ranging from 10 to 110 AB g(-1) dry, well below the 1000 AB g(-1) threshold for establishing occupational exposure. No AB were found in subjects younger than 30 years. Our study demonstrated detectable levels of asbestos fibres in a sample taken from the general population. The significant increase with age confirmed that amphibole fibres are the most representative of cumulative exposure.
authors: 1.Institute of Forensic Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy.
authors: Michelangelo
authors: M
authors: Casali
authors: 2.Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20122 Milan, Italy.
authors: Michele
authors: M
authors: Carugno
authors: 3.Department of Science and High Technology, Università degli Studi dell'Insubria, 22100 Como, Italy.
authors: Andrea
authors: A
authors: Cattaneo
authors: 4.Department of Preventive Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda-Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy.
authors: Dario
authors: D
authors: Consonni
authors: 4.Department of Preventive Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda-Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy.
authors: Carolina
authors: C
authors: Mensi
authors: 1.Institute of Forensic Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy.
authors: Umberto
authors: U
authors: Genovese
authors: 3.Department of Science and High Technology, Università degli Studi dell'Insubria, 22100 Como, Italy.
authors: Domenico Maria
authors: DM
authors: Cavallo
authors: 5.Centre of Electron Microscopy, Lombardy Environmental Protection Agency (ARPA), 20124 Milan, Italy.
authors: Anna
authors: A
authors: Somigliana
authors: 2.Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20122 Milan, Italy 4.Department of Preventive Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda-Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy angela.pesatori@unimi.it.
authors: Angela Cecilia
authors: AC
authors: Pesatori
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001194:Asbestos / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*; D017636:Asbestos, Amphibole / Q000032:analysis; D017632:Asbestos, Serpentine / Q000032:analysis; D001344:Autopsy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008168:Lung / Q000737:chemistry*; D008297:Male; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008875:Middle Aged; D019016:Mineral Fibers / Q000032:analysis; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D017636:Asbestos, Amphibole; D017632:Asbestos, Serpentine; D019016:Mineral Fibers; D001194:Asbestos
keywords: amphiboles; asbestos; chrysotile; fibre burden; fibre count