An asbestos body is an asbestos fiber that has been coated with an iron-rich material. The iron gives the asbestos body a golden color. Asbestos bodies can have an elongated shape.

The asbestos body in this photograph was found in the lung tissue of a worker exposed to asbestos. Scarred lung tissue surrounds the asbestos body. Sadly, this person has asbestosis.

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Asbestos bodies can have many different appearances. They frequently have a beaded appearance. Some are also curved.

This photograph shows a beaded and curved asbestos body.

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Scientists use a variety of techniques to determine how much asbestos is in a person's lung. One technique involves taking a piece of lung tissue, dissolving all the organic matter, and passing the residue through a filter. The asbestos bodies and fibers that collect on the filter are then counted with a microscope.

This photograph shows a piece of a filter that has trapped many asbestos bodies from the lung tissue of a worker exposed to asbestos. This worker had asbestosis and lung cancer.

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Even through a high-powered microscope, asbestos bodies can be difficult to see. Scientists sometimes use an iron stain to help them locate the tiny asbestos bodies in the lung tissue. The iron stain causes the golden and light brown asbestos bodies to become dark blue, thus making them much more visible.

This photograph shows asbestos bodies stained with iron.

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