Environmental airborne tremolite asbestos pollution and pleural plaques in Afghanistan

A 51-year-old man underwent pleuroscopy for radiologic pleural abnormalities. Pathologic examination of pleural and lung biopsy specimens concluded on hyalinized pleural plaques associated with mild asbestosis. Transmission electron microscopy analysis showed significant retention of tremolite asbestos fibers. The absence of any occupational exposure to asbestos and the existence of geologic deposits of tremolite in the Kabul area of Afghanistan suggest an environmental exposure during the patient's childhood spent in this region.