Asbestos and Other Fibrous Materials: Mineralogy, Crystal Chemistry, and Health Effects

by H. Catherine W. Skinner, Malcolm Ross, Clifford Frondel

Overview

This comprehensive sourcebook describes the chemical, physical, and mineralogical aspects of fibrous inorganic materials, both synthetic and naturally occurring. A general description of the fibrous state, the range of compounds that can adopt this form, and an overview of the characteristics unique to such materials form the backbone of the book . The authors also assess the application and use of asbestos and other fibrous materials in industry and evaluate their potential as health hazards. The information gathered here will be highly useful to medical investigators and legal professionals involved in environmental health.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780195345384
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	11/03/1988
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	6 MB

About the Author

Yale University Medical School

US Geological Survey

Harvard University

Table of Contents

PART I: What is an Inorganic Fiber?1. Fibers and History2. Definitions of Fiber3. Nomenclature4. The Properties of Inorganic Fibers5. Classification of Inorganic Fibrous MaterialsPART II: Fibrous Minerals and Synthetic Fibers6. The Crystal Chemistry of Mineral Materials7. Silicate and Aluminosilicate Minerals that Form Fibers8. Asbestos9. Other Chain Aluminosilicates that Form Fibers10. Aluminosilicates with Sheet Structures that Form Fibers11. Isolated Tetrahedra Silicates12. Silica Minerals that are Fibrous13. Fibers of Nonsilicate Minerals14. MMVF or Glass Fibers15. Whiskers16. Carbon and Graphite FibersPART III: Health Effects of Inorganic Fibers17. Historical Highlights and Perspectives18. The Respiratory System19. The Pleura20. The Lymphatic System21. Fiber Inhalation and Health Effects22. Epidemiology of Exposure to Fibrous Materials

Editorial Reviews

"A short (about 200 pp) text that introduces fibrous materials and their health effects. Special emphasis on, and strength in, describing the chemical/physical structure of asbestos and other inorganic fibers, and in addressing difficult definitional issues." —American Public Health Association Section Newsletter

"This book is unique in trying to shed light on a difficult and complex problem where disparate fields such as mineralogy, epidemiology, pathology, and statistics are involved....epitomizes the dilemma of our present-day society trying to improve the environment." —American Scientist

"An ambitious undertaking...authors have succeeded in producing a brief, readable account, supplemented with a substantial amount of reference material....recommended to geologists, physicians, health officials, and even members of the general public who are involved with or interested in this highly debatable subject." —American Mineralogist

"Information related to the interaction of mineral fibers and biologic materials is widely scattered through mineralogic, toxicologic, medical and epidemiologic publications. This book does an excellent job of bringing this disparate material together." —Chest

"Extensive bibliographies, appendices listing the natural and synthetic fibrous minerals and materials, together with a mineralogical and medical glossary, complete a professional overview of a serious problem." —Australian Mineral Foundation Informative Book Review

"This monograph may not only be useful for occupational professionals, it's worth reading also for all those, concerned with environmental health." —Arbeitsmedizin

From the Publisher