FIBROUS MATERIALS AND HEALTH : QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS?

ASBESTOS, probably the most well known fibrous material, infamous since the early ‘70’s, is regulated as a hazardous substance. Why are there still discussions on the control of the 6 asbestiform minerals classically labeled “asbestos”? Mineralogical analyses employ expandingly available high resolution techniques for detection and characterization of the exceedingly fine particles in dusts, the expected mode of exposure leading to asbestosis. lung cancer or mesothelioma. Non regulated asbestiform particulates may induce similar disease related to exposure. Evaluating human pulmonary physiology and the biologic reactions to foreign body inhalation suggests a host of hypotheses on mechanisms on disease induction . What salient information from basic science and epidemiology has become available to enlighten us, and those potentially at risk and concerned, to sharpen future research,and regulations on these health issues