A Review: Are All Inhaled Fibres, Such as Asbestos, Toxic?

Abstract

Exposure to asbestos is well known to have a causal relationship with the development of lung cancer. In order to understand the mechanism of this toxicity an extensive review was undertaken. Findings were able to show that the morphology of the asbestos (which is fibrous) has a marked correlation with its toxicity. It is this morphology that mutually contributes to enhanced aerodynamic properties making asbestos ideal for deposition in the lungs as well as giving it mutagenic properties. Therefore, it is inappropriate to ignore the intrinsic property of fibres, especially due to an increase in the amount of synthetic fibres used commercially including the pharmaceutical industry. The development of fibres as medically inhaled therapies is on the increase and therefore it is very important to examine how to benefit from the enhanced aerodynamic properties whilst minimising any toxicity.