Release of asbestos fibers during casting ring liner manipulation

Civil lawsuits have been filed that allege wrongful deaths of at least one dentist and one dental technician from asbestos exposure. However, no known published scientific studies support such allegations. To assess what potential exposure could occur, air samples were collected while casting rings were lined with asbestos liner. Fibers were collected on filters and counted by use of phase-contrast microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The concentrations of fibers 5 microns long or greater on all filters was less than allowed by federal guidelines. Based on this simulation the potential health risk from using asbestos ring liner seems low.