A 50-year-old asbestos cement factory worker is diagnosed with mesothelioma of the pleura. Which type of asbestos fibre carries the HIGHEST risk of mesothelioma?
- A Chrysotile (white asbestos)
- B Amosite (brown asbestos)
- C Crocidolite (blue asbestos) ✓
- D Tremolite
Correct answer: C. Crocidolite (blue asbestos)
Explanation
Crocidolite (blue asbestos), an amphibole fibre, carries the highest risk of mesothelioma. Its long, thin, needle-like fibres penetrate deeply into the lung periphery and pleura and are biopersistent (resist dissolution by lung defences). Chrysotile (white asbestos), a serpentine fibre, is more easily cleared from the lung and carries a relatively lower risk of mesothelioma, though it is still classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by IARC. All asbestos types can cause mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer.
Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.