Studies on the Chemical Properties of Chrysotile in Relation to Asbestosis

Abstract

The dissolution of chrysotile asbestos in aqueous media has been studied. Although chrysotile yields very little monosilicic acid in water at 25 °C, much more monosilicic acid appears if the extract is heated to 90 °C. The observations are consistent with removal of magnesium and the release of minute, two-dimensional “flakes” of the silica lattice. It is conceivable that these silica flakes, which would have a large surface area, could pack into the cytoplasm of monocytes after the break-up of an asbestosis body. A reaction similar to that normally evoked by fine silica particles would then follow. The chrysotile fibre disintegrates more readily with alternating acid and alkaline conditions than under the influence of either acid or alkali alone.