In vitro studies on biological effects of fibrous minerals.

Asbestos substitutes have been used recently in industrial various applications. Since certain asbestos substitutes have similar characteristics of asbestos, they require urgent in vitro and in vivo evaluation of these asbestos substitutes prior to occupational applications. Though in vitro studies do not offer precise assessment of toxicity of the fibers, it is possible to provide useful information as to the biological effects of asbestos and its substitutes. This review articles described the findings of in vitro experiments in investigation of biological effects of asbestos and man made mineral fibers (MMMF) and their correlation with in vivo assays; 1. Cytotoxicity, geometry and dimension of fibers. 2. In vitro biological effects of fibers on a mass basis and a numerical basis. 3. Mechanism of cytotoxicity, carcinogenecity and cell proliferation including in vitro cytokines production. The relationships between the in vitro and the in vivo biological effects of fibers do not always coincide. Therefore, safety of the fibers must be assessed in both in vivo and in vitro using an inert fiber as negative control. Additionally, evaluation of safety of these fibers in vitro must be conducted in comparable concentrations, sizes and numbers of fibers for used in in vivo experiments.