Exposure to man-made mineral fibers: A summary of current animal data

Journal Article · Thu Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1990 · Toxicology and Industrial Health; (USA)

OSTI ID:6714293

Wheeler, C S ^[1]

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1. General Motors Research Laboratories, Warren, MI (USA)

The inhalation of asbestos fibers (crocidolite, chrysotile and amosite) has been implicated in the development of a number of lung disorders including lung cancer, asbestosis, and mesothelioma. The mechanism responsible for these effects is not well characterized but is generally thought to be related to the fibrous nature of these materials. Therefore, concerns have also been raised as to the potential health impact of other fibrous materials including man-made mineral fibers. Man-made mineral fibers are being used as substitutes for asbestos in a wide range of products. However, relatively little data are available on the potential health impact of these fibrous materials. Epidemiology and clinical studies have served as an important source of information on the effect of various environmental pollutants, but have not been sufficient to date to fully address the potential health impact of man-made mineral fibers. This is due in part to the relatively recent introduction of a number of these materials, the long latency period before the onset of clinical symptoms, and in general, the lower exposure levels associated with these materials. Therefore, a number of animal studies have been performed to predict or confirm the toxicity of various man-made mineral fibers in humans. Both fibrosis and mesothelioma have been induced in experimental animals exposed to man-made mineral fibers although no disease has been consistently observed in occupationally exposed workers. While little is known about the mechanism of this response, information from animal and cell culture experiments indicate that dose, fiber dimension, and fiber durability are the most important factors in determining the biological activity of these materials. 50 references.

• OSTI ID: 6714293
• Journal Information: Toxicology and Industrial Health; (USA), Journal Name: Toxicology and Industrial Health; (USA) Vol. 6:2; ISSN TIHEE; ISSN 0748-2337
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560300* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
AIR POLLUTION
ANIMALS
ASBESTOS
BODY
CARCINOGENESIS
DISEASES
DOCUMENT TYPES
FIBERS
FIBROSIS
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
INHALATION
INTAKE
LABORATORY ANIMALS
LUNGS
MAMMALS
MAN
NEOPLASMS
ORGANS
PARTICLE SIZE
PATHOGENESIS
PATHOLOGICAL CHANGES
POLLUTION
PRIMATES
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
REVIEWS
SIZE
VERTEBRATES