Malignant mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure in dental tape

Abstract

Although most cases of malignant mesothelioma of the pleura are caused by one or more readily recognized sources of exposure to asbestos, cases of the disease with more occult exposure occur, especially since asbestos has been used in over 3,000 products. Dental lining tape contained asbestos from the 1930s until at least the 1970s and was used in the lost wax method of casting crowns, bridges, and other metal dental prosthetic devices. We report six cases of pathology-verified malignant mesothelioma, mostly among dentists, following exposure to airborne dust from asbestos dental tape, which resulted in asbestos tort litigation. According to evidence available at present, chrysotile asbestos was the type of asbestos used in dental tape in the past in the United States, and the described cases followed relatively brief and intermittent exposure to this type of asbestos. These cases underscore the need for comprehensive exposure histories to determine exposure scenarios. Am. J. Ind. Med. 60:437-442, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Prevention of Occupational Hazards Due to Asbestos Exposure in Dentistry. A Proposal from a Panel of Experts

“…Italian researchers, experts in environmental science and occupational health, conducted an analysis of over 5000 patients with pleural mesothelioma between 2000 and 2014, finding four subjects whose only exposure to asbestos had been their work as dental technicians [ 18 ]. The inner lining of the casting cylinder contained asbestos from the 1930s to at least the 1970s and was used in the lost wax method of casting crowns, bridges, and other metal prosthetic devices [ 20 ], and the 1988 Spanish edition of the Dental Laboratory Procedure Manual Volume II Fixed Prosthodontics [ 21 ] contains a thorough explanation of its use and how to apply the asbestos material.…”