[Roentgen microanalysis of dust particles in histologic sections of pneumoconiosis]

We investigated the significance of X-ray element analysis of histological sections obtained from 26 patients with pneumoconiosis (occupations, etc. mining, quartz processing, metal polishing, exposure to aluminium dust, exposure to asbestos dust). Aluminium-containing or, in the case of asbestosis, magnesium-containing silicates were the most commonly found minerals. Iron and titanium were detected in particular in the sections obtained from metal polishers. X-ray micro-analysis permits a more accurate determination of dust exposure, and an improvement in the description of the pneumoconiosis presenting.