Journal article

Authors list: Brueckner, U; Schulze, AS; Walter, D; Kampschulte, M; Schneider, J

Publication year: 2021

Pages: 48-

Journal: Particle and Fibre Toxicology

Volume number: 18

Issue number: 1

ISSN: 1743-8977

Open access status: Gold

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12989-021-00441-y

Publisher: BioMed Central

Abstract: 
Background Refractory Ceramic fibres (RCF) are man-made mineral fibres used in high performance thermal insulation applications. Analogous to asbestos fibres, RCF are respirable, show a pleural drift and can persist in human lung tissue for more than 20 years after exposure. Pleural changes such as localised or diffuse pleural thickening as well as pleural calcification were reported. Result A 45 years old man worked in high performance thermal insulation applications using refractory ceramic fibres (RCF) for almost 20 years. During a occupational medical prophylaxis to ensure early diagnosis of disorders caused by inhalation of aluminium silicate fibres with X-ray including high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT), bilateral pleural thickening was shown and a pleural calcification next to a rounded atelectasis was detected. Asbestos exposure could be excluded. In pulmonary function test a restrictive lung pattern could be revealed. In work samples scanning electron microscopy (SEM) including energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) classified used fibres as aluminium silicate fibres. X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed crystalline as well as amorphous fibres. Conclusions A comprehensive lung function analysis and in case of restrictive lung disorders additional CT scans are needed in RCF exposed workers in accordance to the guidelines for medical occupational examinations comparable to asbestos exposed workers.

Harvard Citation style: Brueckner, U., Schulze, A., Walter, D., Kampschulte, M. and Schneider, J. (2021) Rounded atelectasis after exposure to refractory ceramic fibres (RCF), Particle and Fibre Toxicology, 18(1), Article 48. p. 48. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12989-021-00441-y

APA Citation style: Brueckner, U., Schulze, A., Walter, D., Kampschulte, M., & Schneider, J. (2021). Rounded atelectasis after exposure to refractory ceramic fibres (RCF). Particle and Fibre Toxicology. 18(1), Article 48, 48. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12989-021-00441-y