Asbestos mineralogic analysis as indicator of carcinogenic risk

Asbestos fibers can be found in several tissues and fluids, by different techniques, but up to now there is not a standardised approach. Chrysotile seems to be removed from the lung with greater ease than the amphiboles, but it is more frequently found in pleural tissues. Human and animal studies agree in documenting that chrysotile and amphiboles produce mesotheliomas, even if these studies rarely add much to the understanding of mechanisms of asbestos-related diseases. Further of asbestos-related diseases. Further studies are needed with standardized materials and techniques to better understand these mechanisms and to determine which individuals may be at highest risk for the development of disease.