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Analysis of respired amphibole fibers (asbestos and non-asbestos classified): discrimination between natural and anthropogenic sources using sentinel animals

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Abstract

To evaluate the degree of exposure and to distinguish the contributions of respirable amphibole fibers (both asbestos and non-asbestos) from natural and anthropogenic sources, we investigated their burden in the lungs of sentinel animals. Lung samples of sentinel animals are more easily and continuously available in comparison to humans and are not affected by human variables such as occupational exposure and smoking habit. Fiber identification and quantification have been performed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) with an energy-dispersive spectrometer (EDS). Results for detected amphibole fibers (both asbestos and non-asbestos) were obtained from six studied areas in Northwest Italy (Piedmont) and correlated to lithological and urbanization data. Detected amphibole fiber species have been classified as asbestos minerals occur naturally (NOA) or to anthropogenically sourced asbestos (ASA). This pilot study is a potentially useful tool for the evaluation of the distribution and sources of respirable inorganic fibers. The model should be applicable in any areas where lithological and anthropogenic characteristics are known.

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Acknowledgments

This study was financially supported by Istituto Nazionale per la Ricerca Scientifica e Tecnologica sulla Montagna (INRM), Assessorato all’Ambiente della Regione Piemonte, and Ricerca Sanitaria Finalizzata ASL TO4 (2006).

The authors wish to thank Dr. Giordano for map preparation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Earth Sciences, University of Torino, via Valperga Caluso, 35, Torino, Italy

    Silvana Capella & Elena Belluso

  2. Department of Sciences and Technological Innovation, University of Piemonte Orientale, via Teresa Michel, 11, Alessandria, Italy

    Elisa Fornero

  3. Department of Services, Pathological Anatomy—ASLTO1, Martini Hospital, via Tofane, 71, Torino, Italy

    Donata Bellis

  4. CNR, Unit of Torino, Institute of Geosciences and Earth Resources, via Valperga Caluso, 35, Torino, Italy

    Elena Belluso

Authors
  1. Silvana Capella
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  2. Elisa Fornero
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  3. Donata Bellis
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  4. Elena Belluso
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Correspondence to Silvana Capella.

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Capella, S., Fornero, E., Bellis, D. et al. Analysis of respired amphibole fibers (asbestos and non-asbestos classified): discrimination between natural and anthropogenic sources using sentinel animals. Air Qual Atmos Health 10, 533–542 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11869-016-0448-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11869-016-0448-6

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