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

IntroductionTissue 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.MethodsFerruginous 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/ConclusionsThe 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.