ContextA detailed evaluation of the correlation and linearity of industrial hygiene retrospective exposure assessment (REA) for cumulative asbestos exposure with asbestos lung burden analysis (LBA) has not been previously performed, but both methods are utilized for case-control and cohort studies and other applications such as setting occupational exposure limits.Objective(a) To correlate REA with asbestos LBA for a large number of cases from varied industries and exposure scenarios; (b) to evaluate the linearity, precision, and applicability of both industrial hygiene exposure reconstruction and LBA; and (c) to demonstrate validation methods for REA.MethodsA panel of four experienced industrial hygiene raters independently estimated the cumulative asbestos exposure for 363 cases with limited exposure details in which asbestos LBA had been independently determined. LBA for asbestos bodies was performed by a pathologist by both light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and free asbestos fibers by SEM. Precision, reliability, correlation and linearity were evaluated via intraclass correlation, regression analysis and analysis of covariance. Plaintiff’s answers to interrogatories, work history sheets, work summaries or plaintiff’s discovery depositions that were obtained in court cases involving asbestos were utilized by the pathologist to provide a summarized brief asbestos exposure and work history for each of the 363 cases.ResultsLinear relationships between REA and LBA were found when adjustment was made for asbestos fiber-type exposure differences. Significant correlation between REA and LBA was found with amphibole asbestos lung burden and mixed fiber-types, but not with chrysotile. The intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) for the precision of the industrial hygiene rater cumulative asbestos exposure estimates and the precision of repeated laboratory analysis were found to be in the excellent range. The ICC estimates were performed independent of specific asbestos fiber-type.ConclusionsBoth REA and pathology assessment are reliable and complementary predictive methods to characterize asbestos exposures. Correlation analysis between the two methods effectively validates both REA methodology and LBA procedures within the determined precision, particularly for cumulative amphibole asbestos exposures since chrysotile fibers, for the most part, are not retained in the lung for an extended period of time.

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With the proliferation of occupational health and safety management systems (OHSMSs) in the 1990s, an assessment instrument was developed at the University of Michigan to measure a wide range of OHSMSs. Due to the range of systems it was designed to measure, the instrument is referred to as a universal assessment instrument (UAI). This article is part of a series of UAI-related articles and presents methods used in the UAI's initial field evaluation efforts. The UAI's measurement scale, case study methods, data management methods, and test site selection criteria are presented. Three test sites were selected from a pool of 15 that responded to a study solicitation. The case study methods, measurement scales, and data management system were found to be effective in performing the initial validation efforts. It is concluded that the qualitative methods used were effective in collecting the necessary information to further understand the complex nature of management system measurement. Companion articles address the actual evaluation assessment.