Apports de l'analyse minéralogique en pratique clinique

Inhalation of mineral particles can cause a wide variety of pulmonary diseases. Identification of retention of these particles through mineralogy analysis, following the technical recommendations reviewed in the present article, can be an indispensable diagnostic tool and open compensation to exposed workers. Because disease can be caused by relatively low, accumulated exposures, benign pleural involvement and mesothelioma dominate asbestos-related disease, whereas the number of lung cancers related to asbestos seems to be underestimated and asbestosis has become rare in developed countries, as have other pneumoconioses.