Quality control analysis of the potential for asbestos contamination during tissue processing in pathology laboratories.

CONTEXT

Various quality assurance procedures are applied in pathology and analytical microscopy laboratories to ensure accurate results.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the potential of cross-contamination of tissue with asbestos fibers and asbestos bodies during the fixation and washing process.

DESIGN

Lung tissue from 10 patients with potential asbestos-related disease was evaluated. Samples of fixative, water, and lung tissue from each case were evaluated by light and analytical transmission electron microscopy for asbestos bodies and uncoated asbestos fibers.

RESULTS

The lung samples tested contained a range of asbestos bodies and uncoated asbestos fibers. One wash water sample contained one asbestos body. No asbestos bodies or uncoated asbestos fibers were found in any other water or fixative samples.

CONCLUSIONS

The absence of uncoated asbestos fibers in wash water or fixative samples argues that the fixation process stabilizes asbestos fibers within tissue and the protocol used in this pathology laboratory protects against cross-contamination of tissue. The finding of one asbestos body in one water sample further supports the efficiency of the protective controls used in the testing methods, since this asbestos body was in the external solution that was being discarded before tissue sampling occurred.