Identification of a particular amphibole asbestos fiber in tissues of persons exposed to a high oral intake of the mineral

Abstract

Samples of liver, jejunum, and lung tissue from each of 32 persons with long-term, high-level oral exposure to a ferromagnesium silicate amphibole asbestos were ashed, and the residue was analyzed by means of transmission electron microscopy with selected area electron diffraction, and energy dispersive X-ray analytic techniques. Fibers of the type ingested were identified in the tissues of 29 of the 32 persons. Among 21 controls, the tissues of only 2 subjects contained this type of fiber—in each, a single fiber from a single tissue specimen. Chrysotile asbestos fibers were found in all tissues in most of the subjects studied.