Mineralogy of Asbestos Minerals

Abstract

Over the past fifty years the mineralogy and crystal chemistry of the materials called asbestos have been refined leading to better identification through new and more sensitive techniques. The health aspects of the exposure to fibrous inorganic species are also equally well determined from the anatomical to the biochemical levels. Integrating the efforts of many researchers from a diversity of disciplines from mineralogy and medicine, we can be more specific and detailed in the questions we raise. Coordinated research should add to our basic understanding of one area of disease induction and treatment: trauma related to inorganic materials.