Skip to main content

Association of Tremolite Habit with Biological Potential: Preliminary Report

  • Chapter
Mechanisms in Fibre Carcinogenesis

Part of the book series: NATO ASI Series ((NSSA,volume 223))

Abstract

Tremolite is an amphibole mineral which occurs naturally in three distinct morphological forms or mineral habits. It may occur as asbestos, splintery fibres or in massive crystalline deposits. Mineral habit is determined at the time of its crystallization and conversion to a different habit would require re-crystallization. The massive crystalline deposits, on crushing may yield elongated fibrous-looking particles referred to as acicular cleavage fragments (Langer et al., 1979). Tremolite’s ability to form these three habits imparts it with a range of physico-chemical properties.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Addison, J. and Davies, J.M.G. (1991) A comparison of the carcino-genicity of six tremolites using the intrapleural injection assay in rats: Interim report. VIIth International Pneumoconiosis Conference, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, August, 1988. (in press)

    Google Scholar 

  • Amandus, H.E., Wheeler, R., Jankovic, J. and Tucker, J. (1987a) The morbidity and mortality of vermiculite miners and miller exposed to tremolite-actinolite: Part I Exposure estimates. Am. J. Indust. Hyg. 11: 1–14.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Amandus, H.E. and Wheeler, R. (1987b) The morbidity and mortality of vermiculite miners and millers exposed to tremolite-actinolite: Part II Mortality. Am. J. Indust. Hyg. 11: 15–26.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Amandus, H.E., Althouse, R., Morgan, W.K.C., Sargent, N. and Jones, R. (1987c) The morbidity and mortality of vermiculite miners and millers exposed to tremolite-actinolite: Part III Radiographic findings. Am. J. Indust. Hyg. 11: 27–37.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Banks, W. (1980) Asbestiform and/or Fibrous Minerals in Mines, Mills, and Quarries. U.S. Department of Labor, Mine Safety and Health Administrastion. Informational Report IR 1111

    Google Scholar 

  • Baris, Y.l., Artvinli, M., Sahin, A.A., Bilir, N., Kalyoncu, F. and Sebastien, P. (1988) Non-occupational asbestos related chest diseases in a small Anatolian village. Br. J. Indust. Med. 45: 841–842.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Baris, Y.I., Bilir, N., Artvinli, M., Sahin, A.A., Kalyoncu, F. and Sebastien, P. (1988) An epidemiological study in an Anatolian village environmentally exposed to tremolite asbestos. Br. J. Indust. Med. 45: 838–840.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cabantchik, Z.I, Knauf, P.A. and Rothstein, A. (1978) The anion transport system and the red blood cell. The role of membrane proteins evaluated by the use of probes. Biochem. Biophys. Acta (Biomembr. Rev.) 515: 239–302.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Campbell, W.J., Huggins, C.W. and Wylie, A.G. (1980) Chemical and physical characterization of amosite, chrysotile, crocidolite, and non-fibrous tremolite for oral ingestion studies by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. Bureau of Minerals Report of Investigations RI 8452. United States Department of Interior.

    Google Scholar 

  • Campbell, W.J., Steel, E.B., Virta, R.L. and Eisner, M.H. (1979) Relationship of mineral habit to size characteristics for tremolite cleavage fragments and fibres. Bureau of Mines Report of Investigation RI 8367. United States Department of the Interior.

    Google Scholar 

  • Constantopoulos, S.H., Malamou-Mitsi, V.D., Gouvdevenos, J.A., Papthanasiou, M.P., Pavlidis, N.A. and Papadimitriou, C.S. (1987a) High incidence of malignant pleura mesothelioma in neighboring villages of northwestern Greece. Respiration 51: 266–271.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Constantopoulos, S.H., Langer, A.M., Saratzis, N. and Nolan, R.P. (1987b) Regional findings in Metsovo lung. Lancet 1: 452–453.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Davis, J.M.G. (1990) The biological effects of mineral fibres: What we know in 1989? Proceedings of AIA 6th International Colloquium on Dust Measurement Technique and Strategy. Jersey, Channel Islands. pp. 12–22.

    Google Scholar 

  • Davis, J.M.G., Addison, J., Bolton, R.E., Donaldson, K., Jones, A.D. and Miller, B.G. (1985) Inhalation studies on the effect of tremolite and brucite dust. Carcinogenesis 6: 667–674.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Davis, J.M.G., Addison, J., Mclntosh, C., Miller, B.G. and Niven, K. (1991) Variations in the carcinogenicity of tremolite dust samples of differing morphology In: The Proceedings of the Third Wave of Asbestos Disease: Exposure to asbestos in place. Public Health Control, Landrigan, P.J., Kazemi, H. (eds). (in press)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ilgren, E.B. and Wagner, J.C. (1991) Background incidence of mesothelioma: animal and human evidence. Regul. Toxicol. Pharmacol. 13: 133–149.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Langer, A.M., Rohl, A.N., Wolff, M.S. and Selikoff, I.J. (1979) Asbestos, fibrous minerals and acicular cleavage fragments: Nomenclature and biological properties. In: “Dust and Disease.” Dement, J.A. and Lemen, R.A. (eds), Pathotox Publishers, pp. 1–22.

    Google Scholar 

  • Langer, A.M., Nolan, R.P., Constantopoulos, S.H. and Moutsopoulos, H.M. (1987) Association of Metsovo lung and pleural mesotheliomas with exposure to tremolite-containing whitewash. Lancet:965–967.

    Google Scholar 

  • Langer, A.M., Nolan, R.P., Constantopoulos, S.H. and Moutsopoulos, H.M. (1987) Association of Metsovo lung and pleural mesotheliomas with exposure to tremolite-containing whitewash. Lancet:965–967.

    Google Scholar 

  • Langer, A.M., Nolan, R.P. and Addison, J. (1991) Distinguishing between amphibole asbestos and elongated cleavage fragments of their non-asbestos analogues. In: “Nato Advanced Research Workshop on Mechanisms of Fibre Carcinogenesis”. Brown, R.C., Hoskins, J.A. and Johnson, N.F. Plenum Press. (this volume )

    Google Scholar 

  • Lockey, J., Jarabek, A.M., Carson, A., McKay, R., Harber, P., Khoury, P., Morrison, J., Wiot, J., Spitz, H. and Brooks, S.M. (1983) Pulmonary hazards of vermiculite exposure. In: “Health Studies Related to Metal and Non-metal Mining”. Wagner, W.L., Rom, W.N. and Merchant, J.A. (eds) Butterworth Publishers. Boston London. pp. 303–315.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lockey, J., Brooks, S.M., Jarabek, A.M., Khoury, P.R., McKay, R.T., Carson, A., Morrison, J.A., Wiot, J.F. and Spitz, H.B. (1984) Pulmonary changes after exposure to vermiculite contaminated with fibrous tremolite. Am. Rev. Respir. Dis. 129: 952–958.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Moatamed, F., Lockey, J.E. and Parry, W.T. (1986) Fibre contamination of vermiculites: A potential occupational and environmental health hazard. Environ. Res. 41: 207–218.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • McConnochie, K., Simonato, L., Mavrides, P., Christofides, P., Pooley,F.D. and Wagner, J.C. (1987) Mesothelioma in Cyprus: the role of tremolite. Thorax 42: 342–347.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • McConnochie, K., Simonato, L., Mavrides, P., Christofides, P., Mitha, R., Griffiths, D.M. and Wagner, J.C. (1989) Mesothelima in Cyprus. In: “Non-Occupational Exposure to Mineral Fibres”, Bignon, J., Peto, J. and Saracci, R. (eds) IARC Scientific Publication No. 90, Lyon, France. pp. 411–419.

    Google Scholar 

  • McDonald, J.C., McDonald, A.D., Armstrong, B. and Sebastien, P. (1986a) Cohort study of mor-tality of vermiculite miners exposed to tremolite. Br. J. Indust. Med. 43: 436–444.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • McDonald, J.C., Sebastien, P. and Armstrong, B. (1986b) Radiological survey of past and present vermiculite miners exposed to tremolite. Br. J. Indust. Med. 43: 445–449.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • McDonald, J.C., McDonald, A.D., Sebastien, P. and Moy, K. (1988) Health of vermiculite miners exposed to trace amounts of fibrous tremolite. Br. J. Indust. Med. 45: 630–634.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • National Toxicology Program. Toxicology and Carcinogenesis Studies of Tremolite in F344/N Rats (Feed Studies). Technical Report Series No. 277. March 1990.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nolan, R.P., Langer, A.M., Harington, J.S., Oster, G. and Selikoff, I.J. (1981) Quartz hemolysis as related to its surface functionalities. Environ. Res. 26: 503–520.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Reger, R. and Morgan, W.K.C. (1990) On talc, tremolite and tergiversation. Br. J. Indust. Med. 47: 505–507.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schiller, J.E., Payne, S.L. and Khalafalla,S.E. (1980) Surface charge heterogenicity in amphibole cleavage fragments and asbestos fibers. Science 204: 1530–1532.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smith, W.E. (1974) Experimental Studies on Biological Effects of Tremolite Talc on Hamsters. In: “Proceedings of the Symposium on Talc”. Washington, D.C. Information Circular 8639, U.S. Bureau of Mines, pp. 43–48.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, W.E., Herbert, D.D., Sobel, H.J. and Marquet, E. (1979) Biological tests of tremolite in hamsters. In: “Dusts and Disease”. Dement, J.A. and Lemen, R.A. (eds) Pathotox Publisher, pp. 335–339.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stanton, M.F., Layard, M., Tegeris, A., Miller, E., May, M., Morgan, E. and Smith, A. (1981) Relationship of particle dimension to carcinogenecity in amphibole asbestos and other fibrous minerals. J. Natl. Cancer Inst. 67: 965–975.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Timbrell, V. (1969) Characteristics of the International Union Against Cancer Standard Reference Samples of Asbestos. Inter-national Conference on Pneumoconiosis. Johannesberg, Republic of South Africa. pp. 17–25.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wagner, J.C. (1982a) Health hazards of substitutes. In: “Proceedings of the World Symposium on Asbestos”. Canadian Asbestos Information Centre. Quebec. pp. 244–266.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wagner, J.C., Chamberlain, M., Brown, R.C., Berry, G., Pooley, F.D., Davies, R. and Griffiths, D.M. (1982b) Biological Effects of Tremolite. Br. J. Cancer 45: 352–360.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wylie, A.G. (1988) Relationship between the growth habit of asbestos and the dimensions of asbestos fibers. Mining Engineering:1036–1039.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yazicioglu, S., Ilcayto, R., Balci, K., Sayli, B.S. and Yorulmaz, B. (1980) Pleural mesotheliomas and bronchial cancers caused by tremolite dust. Thorax 35: 564–569.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1991 Plenum Press, New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Nolan, R.P., Langer, A.M., Oechsle, G.W., Addison, J., Colflesh, D.E. (1991). Association of Tremolite Habit with Biological Potential: Preliminary Report. In: Brown, R.C., Hoskins, J.A., Johnson, N.F. (eds) Mechanisms in Fibre Carcinogenesis. NATO ASI Series, vol 223. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-1363-2_21

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-1363-2_21

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4684-1365-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4684-1363-2

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics