Ehrenreich T, Selikoff I J
Am J Forensic Med Pathol. 1981 Mar;2(1):67-74. doi: 10.1097/00000433-198103000-00012.
Asbestos is a fibrous mineral which, because of its unique properties, has innumerable applications in many industries and is used in a large variety of consumer products. It has become ubiquitous and is woven, literally and figuratively, into the fabric of our present-day civilization. However, its presence is sometimes unknown and unsuspected by those who are exposed to asbestos by virtue of occupation or environment and inhale its fibers. Exposed workers and even urban dwellers may have a variable lung burden of asbestos fibers. There is indisputable clinical, pathological, experimental and epidemiological proof that, after varying periods of latency, asbestos may cause benign and malignant disease often leading to disability or death. Forensic investigation of suspected asbestos-related deaths includes a life-time occupational history, a complete autopsy, and identification of the asbestos fiber tissue burden. The latter usually requires special procedures.
石棉是一种纤维状矿物，因其独特的性能，在许多行业有无数应用，并被用于各种各样的消费品中。它已无处不在，无论是从字面意义还是比喻意义上讲，都已融入我们当今文明的结构之中。然而，那些因职业或环境接触石棉并吸入其纤维的人，有时并不知道或未察觉到石棉的存在。接触石棉的工人甚至城市居民肺部的石棉纤维负担可能各不相同。有确凿的临床、病理、实验和流行病学证据表明，经过不同的潜伏期后，石棉可能引发良性和恶性疾病，常常导致残疾或死亡。对疑似与石棉相关死亡的法医调查包括一生的职业史、完整的尸检以及对石棉纤维组织负担的鉴定。后者通常需要特殊程序。
