Analysis of fibres in human lung tissue

Standard UICC crocidolite fibres and fibres extracted from occupationally exposed human lung tissue have been analysed by scanninng electron microscopy after different preparation procedures. A significant fibre loss has been shown due to the adhesion of fibres to the breakers. Fibres are also discarded during the washing and extraction of the lung tissue samples. The recovery was found to be 30 to 40% both for UICC standard specimens and for lung tissue samples.