Curr Opin Pulm Med. 2014 Jan 21. [Epub ahead of print]

Man-made mineral fibers and interstitial lung diseases.

Fireman E.

Author information

• National Laboratory Service for ILD, The Institute of Pulmonary and Allergic Diseases, Tel-Aviv Medical Center, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.

Abstract

PURPOSE OF REVIEW:

Manufactured (artificial) fibers represent an important and continuously growing volume among substitutes to natural fibers. A major proportion of the population in an industrialized society has been, is, or will be in contact with these fibers. The fibrous configuration of asbestos is well recognized as being an important parameter in toxicity, and now that of synthetic fibers is also suspected of inducing serious health effects on the respiratory system. There is an ongoing debate about the actual fibrogenic effect of these man-made mineral fibers (MMMFs) in humans.

RECENT FINDINGS:

Several case reports have demonstrated the biopersistance of MMMFs in the lung of workers who were exposed to rock wool or fiberglass for long periods of time and were diagnosed with interstitial pulmonary fibrosis. A 20-year follow up also identified refractory ceramic fibers in workers' lung tissue, with significant association between cumulative fiber exposure and radiographic pleural changes. Newly emerging man-made fiber industries appear to induce new types of occupational diseases.

SUMMARY:

Exposure of workers in MMMFs production plants is correlated to high risk for developing pneumoconiosis. Large epidemiological studies are needed in order to determine dose metrics for risk assessment and management.