The concentration of asbestos fibers in lung tissue may give information about previous occupational asbestos exposure. A procedure for the preparation, quantification and identification of asbestos fibers in human tissue is presented in this report. The procedure is based on low-temperature plasma ashing of dry tissue, examination of the ash by scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis. The advantages and disadvantages of this method are also discussed briefly.

Key terms asbestos; ashing; human lung tissue; inorganic fiber density; low temperature ashing; lung tissue; scanning electron microscopy