Nature and range of mineral dusts in the environment

Abstract

Mineral dusts are pollutants in air, drinking water, foodstuffs and even some drugs. Inhalation of the asbestos minerals amosite, anthophyllite, chrysotile, crocidolite and tremolite occurs not only in areas adjacent to industrial and mining activities and in the households of those industrially exposed to these minerals, but also by the general public due both to airborne dusts from industrial areas, mines and mine dumps and to the household use of asbestos-containing commodities such as talcum-powders and do-it-yourself plasters, fillers and insulation material. Inorganic particles are also inhaled in cigarette and cigar smoke. These include cristobalite - a known fibrogen - and result from use, during manufacture, of clay minerals, diatomaceous earth, glass fibre and other additives. Ingestion of asbestos minerals has resulted from the dumping of the gangue of taconite ores into water supplies. Both talc and asbestos are ingested from toiletries and other household commodities as well as in foods such as rice coated with mineral dust. With some of the mineral dusts in the environment being known carcinogens, or associated with other diseases, their identification and the determination of their sources are important aspects of environmental health.