Epidemiologic roadblocks in studying elongated mineral particles and mesothelioma risk

Elongated mineral particles (EMPs) are a type of both occupational and environmental exposures that have generated interest in the scientific community due to their potential health effects. Their possible association with mesothelioma represents an area of concern. We provide an overview of the current challenges around epidemiological assessments of EMP exposure and mesothelioma risk, including methodological aspects that need to be addressed when designing and analyzing a study on EMP exposure and mesothelioma. Future work is needed to investigate the relationship between EMPs and mesothelioma, focused on an improved definition of EMP exposure and accounting for other concomitant sources of carcinogen exposure. •epidemiological studies are insufficient for establishing relationships between EMPs and mesothelioma .•Barriers are the rarity of mesothelioma, the long latency, heterogeneity in exposure assessment and characterization.•Appropriate statistical approaches are important in order to further evidence around EMPs and mesothelioma.