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Ann Ist Super Sanita 2019 Jan-Mar;55(1):80-89

Azienda Provinciale per i Servizi Sanitari, Provincia Autonoma di Trento, Italy.

Here are reviewed the studies conducted on asbestos-amosite pollution and its effects on the health of workers exposed from 1928 to 1973 at the Collotta-Cis factory of Ledro, Italy. The methods adopted to conduct the initial research, involving the population itself and the local administrations are described. The data summarized include: epidemiological studies of mortality carried out in 1977-85 and updated in 2009; results of the investigations carried out throughout the 1980s on the health consequences on workers, their families and residents near the factory; process of environmental cleanup from asbestos of the industrial area, completed in 1989, and the pollution risk assessment in the whole Ledro Valley. Read More

Respirology 2019 Feb 27. Epub 2019 Feb 27.

Normandie Université, UNIROUEN, Rouen, France.

Background And Objective: Probe-based confocal laser endomicroscopy (pCLE) enables in vivo microimaging of the distal lung, during bronchoscopy. This study aims at identifying pCLE descriptors of chronic interstitial lung diseases (ILD), their correlations with chest HRCT and assessing inter-observer agreement.

Methods: pCLE was performed in 21 healthy volunteers (HV) and 59 non-smoking ILD patients, including 19 patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) or asbestosis, 15 with connective tissue disease-associated ILD (CTD-ILD), 17 with sarcoidosis and 8 with hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP). Read More

Eur J Public Health 2019 Feb 7. Epub 2019 Feb 7.

Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, Italian National Workers' Compensation Authority (INAIL), Rome, Italy.

Background: This work is aimed at evaluating the quality of Italian hospitalizations data about asbestosis and silicosis, assessing the impact of these diseases on the national health system and providing advice related to public health.

Methods: Italian hospital discharge data (2001-15) with diagnosis of asbestosis or silicosis were analysed by the multiple correspondence analysis and diseases epidemics were evaluated through hospitalization rates.

Results: Hospitalizations were concentrated in the northwestern area, referred mainly to males and oldest people, the most treated tumors were lung cancer and mesothelioma (for asbestosis) and cares were aimed at reducing symptoms and increasing blood oxygenation. Read More

Ann Glob Health 2019 Jan 22;85(1). Epub 2019 Jan 22.

Interstitial Lung Disease Unit, Pulmonology Service, Bellvitge University Hospital. Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL).

More than 100 different conditions are grouped under the term interstitial lung disease (ILD). A diagnosis of an ILD primarily relies on a combination of clinical, radiological, and pathological criteria, which should be evaluated by a multidisciplinary team of specialists. Multiple factors, such as environmental and occupational exposures, infections, drugs, radiation, and genetic predisposition have been implicated in the pathogenesis of these conditions. Read More

Clinics (Sao Paulo) 2019 02 4;74:e225. Epub 2019 Feb 4.

Divisao Pulmonar, Instituto do Coracao (InCor), Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, BR.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a chronic disease of unknown etiology that usually has a progressive course and is commonly associated with a poor prognosis. The main symptoms of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, including progressive dyspnea and dry cough, are often nonspecific. Chest high-resolution computed tomography is the primary modality used in the initial assessment of patients with suspected idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and may have considerable influence on subsequent management decisions. Read More

Arch Environ Occup Health 2019 Jan 31:1-9. Epub 2019 Jan 31.

b Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences , Rutgers University , Newark , NJ , USA.

Using the recognized amosite standard, we have performed transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and chemical analyses. We use high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and zone-axis selected area electron diffraction (SAED) to describe the molecular structure of the fibers. We find that both microscopic observational evidence and statistical dimensional characteristics indicate that the amosite fibers are formed by longitudinal splitting, with surfaces produced by fine twinning and lateral boundaries formed by parting parallel to the planes of double and triple sheets of amphibole chain structures. Read More

J Public Health Res 2018 Dec 20;7(3):1519. Epub 2018 Dec 20.

Section of Legal Medicine and Forensic Science.

The goal of this study is to understand more about the role of asbestos in causing human diseases, first of all mesothelioma, by investigating a large series of deaths due to asbestos-related diseases (ARDs). The main aim is to clarify if even very low amounts of asbestos can cause mesothelioma and other ARDs, as well as to find out if a different individual vulnerability can be important. This retrospective study included 188 subjects who died from asbestos related diseases in 2000-2017 in the area around Broni, Italy, where an important asbestos cement factory had been active from 1932 until 1993. Read More

Expert Rev Respir Med 2019 Mar 25;13(3):241-249. Epub 2019 Jan 25.

a Department of Respiratory Medicine , Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital , Perth , WA , Australia.

Introduction: The diagnosis of lung disease in asbestos-exposed individuals is a process that not only requires a detailed occupational and tobacco smoking history, but the correlation with physical signs, appropriate imaging, detailed lung function assessment and histology/cytology when required. Worldwide, the total quantity of asbestos mined is static, having decreased dramatically in developed countries but increased in countries where there is no restriction on mining: for example, Russia, China, Brazil, and Kazakhstan. The predominant diagnostic challenge in most cases of possible asbestos-related disease is the significant interval between exposure and development of the disease. Read More

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2019 Mar 8;26(7):6450-6459. Epub 2019 Jan 8.

Environmental and Occupational Hazards Control Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Asbestos, as with other pollutants in the air, has adverse effects on the health of human beings and animals. Today, the relationship between presence of asbestos fibers in the air breathed by humans and developing serious diseases such as lung cancer (asbestosis) and mesothelioma has been proven. This study was designed and conducted within the time period of August 2017 and June 2018 to determine the concentration of asbestos fiber in the ambient air of Shahryar City and to evaluate their health effects for the general population of the city. Read More

Int J Mol Sci 2019 Jan 3;20(1). Epub 2019 Jan 3.

Department of Oncology, University of Torino, via Santena 5/bis, 10126 Torino, Italy.

Asbestos exposure increases the risk of asbestosis and malignant mesothelioma (MM). Both fibrosis and cancer have been correlated with the Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition (EMT)-an event involved in fibrotic development and cancer progression. During EMT, epithelial cells acquire a mesenchymal phenotype by modulating some proteins. Read More

Environ Health 2018 12 29;17(1):94. Epub 2018 Dec 29.

Clinical Epidemiology, Ospedale Policlinico San Martino-IRCCS, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico per l'Oncologia, Genoa, Italy.

Background: Exposure to asbestos remains a global issue due to its massive use in the twentieth century and its long environmental persistence. Exposure to asbestos still occurs during dismantling of ships and vessels, buildings renovation, mining operations, and is reported in developing countries. Current estimate report exposure of hundreds of million people in occupational settings in countries where its use remains unregulated. Read More

Clin Transplant 2019 Jan 30;33(1):e13460. Epub 2018 Dec 30.

Division of Lung Failure and Lung Transplantation, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Occupational lung diseases (OLD) including silicosis, asbestosis, and pneumoconiosis progress to end stage lung disease requiring lung transplantation (LT). Prognosis and treatment of OLDs are poorly understood and a paucity of data exists regarding LT outcomes. Additionally, transplant operative complexity for patients with OLD is high. Read More

Respirol Case Rep 2019 Jan 9;7(1):e00380. Epub 2018 Nov 9.

Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine Liverpool Hospital Sydney, New South Wales Australia.

Asbestosis is diagnosed with a combination of historical, clinical and radiological findings in the absence of another cause. Histology is required when uncertainty exists, with lung biopsy via VATs being gold standard. Transbronchial cryobiopsy is becoming increasingly popular for diagnosing interstitial lung disease and may provide sufficient lung sample to demonstrate asbestosis. Read More

Geospat Health 2018 11 9;13(2). Epub 2018 Nov 9.

Department of Geoinformatics, Cartography and Remote Sensing, Faculty of Geography and Regional Studies, University of Warsaw, Warsaw.

Asbestos is carcinogenic to humans and exposure to this substance can cause a wide range of diseases. In Poland 1997, a statutory ban was introduced on the production, use and marketing of products containing asbestos. The National Programme for Asbestos Abatement for 2009-2032 includes scheduled activities considering asbestos exposure assessment and health protection. Read More

Transl Lung Cancer Res 2018 Oct;7(5):520-536

Laboratory of Experimental Medicine and Paediatrics, Antwerp University, Wilrijk, Belgium.

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a tumour related to a historical exposure to asbestos fibres. Currently, the definite diagnosis is made only by the histological examination of a biopsy obtained through an invasive thoracoscopy. However, diagnosis is made too late for curative treatment because of non-specific symptoms mainly appearing at advanced stage disease. Read More

Pathologe 2018 Dec;39(Suppl 2):241-246

Georgius Agricola Stiftung Ruhr, Deutsches Mesotheliomregister, Institut für Pathologie, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Bürkle-de-la-Camp Platz 1, 44789, Bochum, Deutschland.

Background: In Germany, asbestos-related diseases (asbestosis, lung cancer, mesothelioma) are recognised and compensated occupational diseases. The histologic diagnosis of mesothelioma is sometimes a challenge; additional immunohistochemical and molecular methods are needed. With lung dust analysis, the current asbestos fibre burden of the lung is measured (biomonitoring). Read More

Mutat Res 2018 Dec 28;836(Pt B):36-41. Epub 2018 Mar 28.

Laboratory of Genetic Toxicology, Postgraduate Program in Molecular and Cell Biology Applied to Health, Lutheran University of Brazil (ULBRA), Canoas, RS, Brazil. Electronic address:

Coal is a mixture of several chemicals, mainly inorganic elements and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, many of which have mutagenic and carcinogenic effects. Pneumoconiosis, fibrosis, asbestosis, silicosis, emphysema, loss of lung function and cancer are some examples of coal-related disorders. The aim of this study was to analyze coal miners with respect to telomere length (TL) and percentage (%) of global DNA methylation. Read More

J Public Health Policy 2018 Nov;39(4):463-540

Mailman School of Public Health, Center for the History & Ethics of Public Health, Columbia University, 722 West 168th Street Room 935, New York, NY, 10032, USA.

For the past three decades, we have written on the history of occupational and environmental health, authoring books and articles on lead poisoning, silicosis, asbestosis, and angiosarcoma of the liver, among other diseases. One book, Deceit and Denial, focused specifically on the chemical and lead industries. Because of the rarity of historians who study this history, we have been asked to testify on behalf of workers who allege harm from these industrial materials and by state, county, and local governments who seek redress for environmental damages and funds to prevent future harm to children. Read More

Fordham Law Rev 2018 Oct;87(1):107-24

Shook, Hardy & Bacon L.L.P., Washington, DC.

Rev Pneumol Clin 2018 Dec 27;74(6):436-443. Epub 2018 Sep 27.

Centre des maladies professionnelles et environnementales, CHRU Morvan, 29200 Brest, France; EA 3149, laboratoire d'études et de recherches en sociologie, LABERS, université de Bretagne Occidentale, 29200 Brest, France. Electronic address:

Introduction: The odd risk ratio for an asbestos-related disease is 6.9 for National Defense personnel and 94% of the victims who are compensated belong to the French Navy. While employment-exposure matrices exist for the civilian environment, none are available to the military. Read More

J Korean Med Sci 2018 Aug 19;33(35):e226. Epub 2018 Jul 19.

Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Yangsan, Korea.

Background: Asbestos exposure causes asbestos-related diseases (ARDs) including asbestosis, malignant mesothelioma, lung cancer, laryngeal cancer, and ovarian cancer. Although Korea used substantial amounts of asbestos in the past, no study has focused on its occupational burden of disease (OBD). Therefore, this study aimed to determine the OBDs of ARDs in Korea. Read More

Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2018 Dec 27;361:14-17. Epub 2018 Jun 27.

Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, M255 Davison Bldg. Durham, NC 27710, United States. Electronic address:

Asbestos mineral fibers have been associated with the development of a variety of diseases in humans and experimental animals, including asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma. Asbestos includes several mineral types divided into two mineral groups, serpentine and amphibole forms. Chrysotile is the serpentine mineral classified as asbestos, whereas the amphiboles include amosite, crocidolite, tremolite, actinolite and anthophyllite. Read More

Environ Int 2018 10 27;119:174-185. Epub 2018 Jun 27.

Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, the Netherlands. Electronic address:

Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) are developing a joint methodology for estimating the national and global work-related burden of disease and injury (WHO/ILO joint methodology), with contributions from a large network of experts. In this paper, we present the protocol for two systematic reviews of parameters for estimating the number of deaths and disability-adjusted life years attributable to pneumoconiosis from occupational exposure to dusts and/or fibres, to inform the development of the WHO/ILO joint methodology.

Objectives: We aim to systematically review studies on occupational exposure to dusts and/or fibres (Systematic Review 1) and systematically review and meta-analyse estimates of the effect of occupational exposure to dusts and/or fibres on pneumoconiosis (Systematic Review 2), applying the Navigation Guide systematic review methodology as an organizing framework. Read More

Ugeskr Laeger 2018 Jun;180(25)

Asbestos was used in numerous products until its total ban in Denmark in 1988. The prevalence of asbestosis and pleural plaques does not yet appear to be falling. Unfortunately the statistics are unreliable due to errors in the Danish translation of the ICD-10 codes of the disease. Read More

Int J Health Serv 2018 07 12;48(3):586-591. Epub 2018 Jun 12.

2 Garrett Park, Maryland, USA.

Jock William McCulloch, who died at Melbourne, Australia, in January 2018, was one of the foremost historians of occupational health of his generation. This tribute reviews his career and oeuvre, which was tragically ended by his death from mesothelioma. Read More

Ugeskr Laeger 2018 May;180(22)

Asbestosis is interstitial lung fibrosis due to inhalation of asbestos fibres. Up to the ban of import in 1986, 0.7 mil tons had been used in Denmark. Read More

Epidemiol Prev 2018 Mar-Apr;42(2):171-177

Regione Toscana, Firenze.

Asbestos-related diseases are characterized by a long latency time since exposure. This accounts for a health surveillance programme addressed to asbestos workers to be performed for decades after the cessation of occupational exposure. We describe the health surveillance programme for former asbestos-exposed workers in Tuscany Region (Central Italy), with particular attention to organization and related critical issues. Read More

Epidemiol Prev 2018 Mar-Apr;42(2):142-150

Dipartimento ambiente e salute, Istituto superiore di sanità, Roma.

Objectives: to estimate the health impact of asbestos fibres naturally occurring in Mount Pollino area (Basilicata Region, Southern Italy).

Design: geographic mortality, hospitalization, and incidence study. Setting and participant s: population resident in 12 Municipalities of Mount Pollino area with naturally occurring asbestos fibres. Read More

Int J Environ Res Public Health 2018 05 16;15(5). Epub 2018 May 16.

WSH Institute, MOMSC, Singapore, ICOH c/o INAIL, Monteporzio Catone, 00078 Rome, Italy.

: Asbestos has been used for thousands of years but only at a large industrial scale for about 100⁻150 years. The first identified disease was asbestosis, a type of incurable pneumoconiosis caused by asbestos dust and fibres. The latest estimate of global number of asbestosis deaths from the Global Burden of Disease estimate 2016 is 3495. Read More

Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2018 Dec 5;361:27-35. Epub 2018 May 5.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States.

Inhalation exposure to some types of fibers (e.g., asbestos) is well known to be associated with respiratory diseases and conditions such as pleural plaques, fibrosis, asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma. Read More

Am J Ind Med 2018 07 7;61(7):625-630. Epub 2018 May 7.

European Society for Environmental and Occupational Medicine, Berlin, Germany.

Background: Although antigorite is generally described as platy, its fibrous (asbestiform) variant is present widespread in serpentinite rocks. In addition to its primarily fibrous occurrence, asbestiform antigorite may also be formed from serpentinite with massive appearance during tunneling and mining. It is not of commercial interest, but exposure may occur in the certain environments. Read More

Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 2018 Jul 30;96:135-141. Epub 2018 Apr 30.

Center for Environmental and Occupational Risk Analysis and Management, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, 13201 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., Tampa, FL, 33612, USA. Electronic address:

Three independently conducted asbestos exposure evaluations were conducted using wire gauze pads similar to standard practice in the laboratory setting. All testing occurred in a controlled atmosphere inside an enclosed chamber simulating a laboratory setting. Separate teams consisting of a laboratory technician, or technician and assistant simulated common tasks involving wire gauze pads, including heating and direct wire gauze manipulation. Read More

Tumori 2018 Apr 1:300891618765538. Epub 2018 Apr 1.

4 Laboratory of Pathological Anatomy of Monfalcone, Italy.

Background: Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) diagnosis is known to be difficult. We report on the diagnostic elements available in life in an MPM necropsy case series and describe the frequency of non-neoplastic asbestos-related diseases as biological exposure indices.

Methods: We reviewed pathologic and clinical records of an unselected series of autopsies (1977-2016) in patients with MPM employed in the Monfalcone shipyards or living with shipyard workers. Read More

Med Lav 2018 02 6;109(2):83-86. Epub 2018 Feb 6.

Department of Medical Area (DAME), University of Udine, Udine, Italy.

Background: The coastal area of Friuli Venezia Giulia (FVG) region, north-eastern Italy, was characterized by work activities in which asbestos was used until the early 1990s, particularly in shipbuilding. A public health surveillance program (PHSP) for asbestos-exposed workers was established, although limited evidence exists about the efficacy of such programs in reducing disease occurrence and mortality.

Objectives: To compare mortality in a cohort of 2,488 men occupationally exposed to asbestos, enrolled in a PHSP in FVG between the early 1990s and 2008, with that of the general population of FVG and Italy. Read More

Gan To Kagaku Ryoho 2018 Mar;45(3):449-453

Division of Surgery, Bellland General Hospital.

A 69-year-old man with right upper quadrant abdominal pain and fever was referred to our hospital. He had a history of asbestosis exposure. Computed tomography(CT)revealed a mass at the right subhepatic space, and an antibiotic was administered after a diagnosis of an abdominal abscess. Read More

NPJ Prim Care Respir Med 2018 Apr 3;28(1):11. Epub 2018 Apr 3.

Birmingham Regional NHS Occupational Lung Disease Service, Birmingham Chest Clinic, Birmingham, UK.

A diagnosis of asbestosis, which is a long-latency, fibrotic lung disease, has implications for the patient in terms of prognosis, treatment and compensation. Identifying and quantifying asbestos exposure is difficult without a detailed occupational history, and the threshold dose of asbestos required to cause asbestosis is not well understood. We reviewed all cases of asbestosis diagnosed between 2001 and 2016 at the Birmingham Regional NHS Occupational Lung Disease Service to determine the industries and occupations most frequently implicated in causation, in order to help clinicians identify where asbestosis might enter the differential diagnosis for a patient with chronic respiratory symptoms. Read More

Ind Health 2018 Jun 26;56(3):249-254. Epub 2018 Feb 26.

Department of Medical Biotechnology, University of Siena, Unit of Occupational Health Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese, Italy.

Health surveillance of asbestos exposed workers should be stratified according to the exposure level. Unfortunately there is a lack of information regarding asbestos exposure in many working places and markers of asbestos exposure are often needed. The aim of the study was to assess the reliability of different dose and effect biomarkers in the follow up of asbestos-exposed workers. Read More

Int J Environ Res Public Health 2018 02 23;15(2). Epub 2018 Feb 23.

Asbestos Diseases Research Institute, P.O. Box 3628, Rhodes, NSW 2138, Australia.

The most effective way of reducing the global burden of asbestos-related diseases is through the implementation of asbestos bans and minimising occupational and non-occupational exposure to respirable asbestos fibres. Australia's asbestos consumption peaked in the 1970s with Australia widely thought to have had among the highest per-capita asbestos consumption level of any country. Australia's discontinuation of all forms of asbestos and asbestos-containing products and materials did not occur at a single point of time. Read More

Histopathology 2018 Jul 17;73(1):29-37. Epub 2018 Apr 17.

Division of Diagnostic Pathology, Saitama Prefectural Cardiovascular and Respiratory Centre, Saitama, Japan.

Aims: To confirm whether or not grade 4 asbestosis progresses from the respiratory bronchiole to the peripheral lung.

Methods And Results: We examined retrospectively the autopsy or lobectomy specimens from 31 cases (29 males; mean age 64 years) satisfying the pathological criteria of grade 4 asbestosis. Asbestos bodies (ABs) were quantified in samples of dissolved lung and in tissue preparations on glass slides. Read More

Int J Environ Res Public Health 2018 01 16;15(1). Epub 2018 Jan 16.

European Society for Occupational and Environmental Medicine, EOM, Berlin, Germany.

There was some limited use of asbestos at end of the 19th century in industrialized countries including Germany, but its consumption dramatically increased after World War II. The increase in use and exposure was followed by the discovery of high numbers of asbestos-related diseases with a mean latency period of about 38 years in Germany. The strong socio-political pressure from the asbestos industry, its affiliated scientists and physicians has successfully hindered regulatory measures and an asbestos ban for many years; a restrictive stance that is still being unravelled in compensation litigation. Read More

J Occup Environ Med 2018 Jun;60(6):536-541

Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), Bologna University, Bologna, Italy (Dr Farioli and Dr Violante); Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Milan University, Milan, Italy (Dr La Vecchia and Mr Pelucchi); Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Milan University, Milan, Italy (Ms Negri); Department of Environmental Science, Safety, Territory, Food and Health, Messina University, Messina, Italy (Dr Spatari); Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York (Dr Boffetta); Department of Public Health Sciences and Pediatrics, Turin University, Turin, Italy (Dr Pira).

Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the risk of asbestosis death based on the temporal pattern of exposure to asbestos.

Methods: We followed up a cohort of asbestos textile workers, employed in 1946 to 1984, until November 2013. We measured the duration of the employment, the time since last employment (TSLE), the age, and the year of first employment. Read More

J Investig Med 2018 Apr 6;66(4):721-727. Epub 2018 Jan 6.

Internal Medicine - Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, UC Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, California, USA.

Asbestos comprises a group of fibrous minerals that are naturally occurring in the environment. Because of its natural properties, asbestos gained popularity for commercial applications in the late 19th century and was used throughout the majority of the 20th century, with predominant use in the construction, automotive, and shipbuilding industries. Asbestos has been linked to a spectrum of pulmonary diseases, such as pleural fibrosis and plaques, asbestosis, benign asbestos pleural effusion, small cell lung carcinoma, non-small cell lung carcinoma, and malignant mesothelioma. Read More

Immune Netw 2017 Dec 11;17(6):402-409. Epub 2017 Dec 11.

Department of Pharmacy, Korea University, Sejong 30019, Korea.

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are nanomaterials that have been employed in generating diverse materials. We previously reported that CNTs induce cell death in macrophages, possibly via asbestosis. Therefore, we generated CNT-attached polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), which is an established polymer in membrane technology, and then examined whether CNT-attached PVDF is immunologically safe for medical purposes compared to CNT alone. Read More

Eur Respir J 2017 12 28;50(6). Epub 2017 Dec 28.

Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.

Much of the current burden of long-latency respiratory disease (LLRD) in Great Britain is attributed to historical asbestos exposure. However, continuing exposure to other agents, notably silica, also contributes to disease burden. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of work-related LLRD reported by chest physicians in Great Britain, including variations by age, gender, occupation and suspected agent. Read More

J Toxicol Environ Health A 2018 26;81(4):60-79. Epub 2017 Dec 26.

a Exposure Assessment Branch , NIOSH/CDC, Morgantown , WV , USA.

Humans exposed to asbestos and/or asbestiform fibers are at high risk of developing many lung diseases including asbestosis, lung cancer, and malignant mesothelioma. However, the disease-causing potential and specific metabolic mechanisms and pathways associated with various asbestos/asbestiform fiber exposures triggering different carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic outcomes are still largely unknown. The aim of this this study was to investigate gene expression profiles and inflammatory responses to different asbestos/asbestiform fibers at the acute/sub-acute phase that may be related to delayed pathological outcomes observed at later time points. Read More

Duodecim 2017;133(6):549-56

High-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) is a method of examination which is more precise than chest 2-rat in the diagnosis and monitoring of diseases of the lung tissue and the airways. Modern CT equipment enables a volume HRCT scan covering the whole lung tissue. HRCT slices can also be constructed from contrast-enhanced CT scans of the chest of the whole body. Read More

Harv Law Rev 2017 Dec;131(2):658-65

Dis Markers 2017 22;2017:1725354. Epub 2017 Oct 22.

Institute of Occupational Diseases, Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Hangzhou 310013, China.

Fibulin-3 has been reported as a potential biomarker for mesothelioma. However, little is known about the diagnostic efficacies of fibulin-3 for asbestos-related diseases (ARDs) in China. This study was to investigate the utility of fibulin-3 for asbestos exposure and ARDs. Read More