This review provides a basis for substantiating both kinetically and pathologically the differences between chrysotile and amphibole asbestos. Chrysotile, which is rapidly attacked by the acid environment of the macrophage, falls apart in the lung into short fibers and particles, while the amphibole asbestos persist creating a response to the fibrous structure of this mineral. Inhalation toxicity studies of chrysotile at non-lung overload conditions demonstrate that the long (>20 µm) fibers are rapidly cleared from the lung, are not translocated to the pleural cavity and do not initiate fibrogenic response. In contrast, long amphibole asbestos fibers persist, are quickly (within 7 d) translocated to the pleural cavity and result in interstitial fibrosis and pleural inflammation. Quantitative reviews of epidemiological studies of mineral fibers have determined the potency of chrysotile and amphibole asbestos for causing lung cancer and mesothelioma in relation to fiber type and have also differentiated between these two minerals. These studies have been reviewed in light of the frequent use of amphibole asbestos. As with other respirable particulates, there is evidence that heavy and prolonged exposure to chrysotile can produce lung cancer. The importance of the present and other similar reviews is that the studies they report show that low exposures to chrysotile do not present a detectable risk to health. Since total dose over time decides the likelihood of disease occurrence and progression, they also suggest that the risk of an adverse outcome may be low with even high exposures experienced over a short duration.

Lithium as an essential element for human life is still a subject of controversy. However, it is accepted that it does have profound neurological effects and is a valuable treatment for bipolar disease. Generally, it occurs in barely trace amounts in groundwater with few major exceptions. One of these is the Northern area of Chile where all potable water and many of the food stuffs contain high levels of lithium; between 100 and 10,000 times higher than most rivers in North America. Inevitably, the local population has been exposed to these levels in their drinking water for as long as the region has been populated. The present report details lithium levels in all the surface water sources of Northern Chile with comparison to that elsewhere. The implications for the local population are discussed and their situation compared to those exposed to other sources of lithium pollution.

Cinnamic acid is a compound of low toxicity, but its molecular structure and the known toxicity of similar molecules, such as styrene, have brought it to the toxicologist's attention. Commercially, its use is permitted as flavouring and it is ubiquitous in products containing cinnamon oil and to a lesser extent in all plants. The related aldehyde, alcohol and esters are all more toxic than cinnamic acid. Certain substituted cinnamates containing cyano and fluoro moieties are of particular interest because they inhibit mitochondrial pyruvate transport. The literature about this whole group of commercially important compounds is diverse and many key studies are in languages other than English. This review looks at the history and legal constraints, as well as the results of metabolism and toxicology studies.

No abstract

Lithium, generally, occurs in barely trace amounts in ground water with few major exceptions. One of these is the northern area of Chile where all potable water and many of the food stuffs contain high levels of lithium. Surface water can contain between 100 and 10,000 times more than most rivers in North America. Inevitably, food, both animal and vegetable, contains higher lithium levels than found elsewhere. In consequence, the local population has been exposed to high levels of lithium in their food and drinking water for as long as the region has been populated. The present report details lithium levels in a variety of food stuffs from several locations in Northern Chile and compares these with those found elsewhere. The implications for the local population have been discussed in our earlier paper.