Elongate Mineral Particles

Characterization, Classification, and Risk Analysis

Andrey Korchevskiy, Ann Wylie

• Publisher: CRC Press
• Year: 2025
• eBook ISBN: 9781040695791
• Topic: Technology & Engineering
• Subtopic: Diseases & Allergies
• Index: Technology & Engineering

This groundbreaking book explores the complex world of elongate mineral particles (EMPs), critical occupational and environmental agents with significant public health implications. It carefully distinguishes between asbestiform EMPs, which pose serious health hazards to humans, and non-asbestiform elongate particles such as cleavage fragments, which have different characteristics and lower (or negligible) health risks. This distinction is vital for accurate risk assessment and appropriate regulatory approaches in both occupational and environmental contexts.

The comprehensive volume covers multiple scientific aspects of EMPs, including their geological origins and mineralogy, specialized analytical characterization methods, toxicological properties and carcinogenic potential, and the specific dimensional parameters that influence their toxicity. It also addresses classification methodologies for distinguishing between asbestiform and non-asbestiform particles, examines how EMPs interact with the human respiratory system, evaluates current regulatory frameworks while identifying needed improvements, and presents illuminating case studies on EMP risk assessment.

Elongate Mineral Particles: Characterization, Classification, and Risk Analysis is written for professionals across multiple disciplines. This book serves as an essential resource for health and safety specialists, industrial hygienists, toxicologists, epidemiologists, mineralogists, public health personnel, and pathologists. Its accessible yet scientifically rigorous approach makes it valuable for any scientist or practitioner interested in understanding the mineralogy and health effects of asbestos and other fibrous minerals, providing the readers with the knowledge needed to address these important public health challenges.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half Title
• Endorsements
• Title
• Copyright
• Contents
• About the authors
• Contributors
• Preface
• Dimensions matter! Introduction
• Chapter 1 Definition of a mineral fiber: how do the science and regulations approach asbestiform fibers and non-asbestiform fragments?
• Chapter 2 Measuring EMPs: analytical approaches and the development of the dimensional database
• Chapter 3 Fractional characteristics of elongate mineral particles and their relationships with cancer potency factors
• Chapter 4 Mesothelial toxicity of elongate mineral particles: the mode of action and quantitative interpretation
• Chapter 5 Cell responses to elongated mineral fibers: multiple roles of shape and dimension
• Chapter 6 Elongate mineral particles in tissue: physical and mineralogical characteristics of retained EMPs
• Chapter 7 Mechanical properties as a predictor of mesotheliomagenicity
• Chapter 8 Characteristics of elongate mineral particles relevant for carcinogenic risk assessment
• Chapter 9 Classification of elongate mineral particles by habit
• Chapter 10 Toxicological assessment for a mixture of fibrous dusts: the case of the Boulder City Bypass Project
• Chapter 11 The soil contamination by asbestos in Armley, Leeds (U.K.): Dimensional characteristics as a “footprint” of exposure
• Chapter 12 Peritoneal mesothelioma hazard rate as a function of mineralogical parameters: revisiting the results of the experimental study
• Chapter 13 Asbestos terminology: how to combine mineralogical, toxicological, and analytical information for the purpose of standardization
• Chapter 14 Regulatory priorities for elongate mineral particles in the new era
• Index