Elongated particulate burden in an individual who died of mesothelioma and had an occupational history as a talc “mucker”

Abstract

Introduction

Tissue from a 77-year-old man diagnosed with mesothelioma was referred with a request for identification of the presence of fibrous structures in tissue samples. The individual’s work history including working as a “mucker” at a specific “industrial” talc mine.

Methods

Ferruginous bodies in the tissue digests as well as asbestos fibers were found. A bulk sample of a talc containing product from that mine was also analyzed.

Discussions/Conclusions

The correlation between the unique asbestos mineral/fibrous content of the talc to which he was exposed and findings of the same type of asbestos found in his lung is discussed. The type of asbestos found (tremolite) is a “non-commercial” type of asbestos that has been identified in some talc deposits. Tremolite, like all forms of asbestos is a causative agent for mesothelioma-the disease from which this individual suffered.

Keywords:

• Talc
• mesothelioma
• tissue burden

Disclosure statement

The case was originally active as part of medical/legal processes. Dr. Dodson served as a consultant/testifying expert for the defense in the case. Dr. Moline was a testifying expert for the plaintiff in the case. Mr. Poye and Mr. Salinas provided laboratory analysis for Dr. Dodson but were not defined as experts in the case. Once the case was no longer active, requests were made to the legal representatives in the case for permission to use the data as part of a case report. The authorization was granted. The authors are responsible for the content and writing of the manuscript and no external funds were provided as support for the development of this manuscript. Dr. Dodson serves as an expert witness/consultant at the request of plaintiff and defense firms/industries where occupational exposure to dust (including fibrous dust) has allegedly occurred. He has served on panels/workshops for federal/state agencies dealing with asbestos related issues. Dr. Moline serves as an expert witness in occupational medicine cases, primarily related to asbestos and in virtually all cases for the plaintiff. Mr. Poye serves as an expert witness/consultant on environmental/occupational issues at the request of plaintiff and defense firms including cases where exposures to elongated particles suspected/confirmed. He also has served and does serve on appointed panels where he offers his expertise in applicable technical/laboratory areas. Carlos Duane Salinas holds a B.S. in Geology and over thirty years’ experience practicing asbestos and other mineral identification by PLM, ATEM, and XRD.

Data availability statement

The datasets generated and/or analyzed during the current study are not publicly available.

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.