Inactivation by Polymers of Hemolytic Microparticles in Vitro

In this test-tube study, the authors examined whether polymers (large chain-like chemicals) bound to mineral dusts would stop the dusts from breaking open red blood cells, an effect called hemolysis. They used standard reference samples of four asbestos types (chrysotile B, amosite, crocidolite and anthophyllite) and several silica dusts. Usually 100 mg of mineral was mixed with a polymer, washed three times to remove unbound polymer, and then added to sheep red blood cells. Chrysotile B lost about 80 to 90 percent of its hemolytic activity, especially after treatment with the polymers SA, CMC, NSC 46015 and CS. Crocidolite was inactivated somewhat less. Anthophyllite responded markedly to the uncharged polymer PVP, an exception to the usual pattern. With silica, PVP reduced hemolytic activity by 80 to 90 percent. The amount of fiber also mattered: 1.0 mg of SA gave 40 percent inactivation with 100 mg of chrysotile B, but more with smaller amounts of fiber. The authors concluded that asbestos and silica can be deprived of hemolytic action by comparatively small amounts of polymers. They said the mechanisms cannot yet be definitively interpreted.

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From J-M's medical library

This copy comes from the Johns-Manville medical library. It was among the papers J-M kept in its medical library without an index entry.

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