Inhalation of asbestos fibers can be deadly. Many have dedicated themselves to better understanding asbestos related disease. One interesting study is called, Influence of Metal Ions on Flavonoid Protection against Asbestos-Induced Cell Injury by V. A. Kostyuka, 1, A. I. Potapovicha, E. N. Vladykovskayaa, L. G. Korkinab and I. B. A. Afanas'evc - Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics - Volume 385, Issue 1, 1 January 2001, Pages 129-137. Here is an excerpt: Abstract - Influence of metal ions (Fe2+, Fe3+, Cu2+, Zn2+) on the protective effect of rutin, dihydroquercetin, and green tea epicatechins against in vitro asbestos-induced cell injury was studied. Metals have been found to increase the capacity of rutin and dihydroquercetin to protect peritoneal macrophages against chrysotile asbestos-induced injury. The data presented here show that this effect is due to the formation of flavonoid metal complexes, which turned out to be more effective radical scavengers than uncomplexed flavonoids. At the same time epicatechins and their metal complexes have similar antiradical properties and protective capacities against the asbestos induced injury of macrophages. Metal complexes of all flavonoids were found to be considerably more potent than parent flavonoids in protecting red blood cells against asbestos-induced injury. It was also found that the metal complexes of all flavonoids were absorbed by chrysotile asbestos fibers considerably better than uncomplexed compounds and probably for this reason flavonoid metal complexes have better protective properties against asbestos induced hemolysis. Thus, the results of the present study show that flavonoid metal complexes may be effective therapy for the inflammatory response associated with the inhalation of asbestos fiber. The advantage of their application could be the strong increase in ROS scavenging by flavonoids and finally a better cell protection under the conditions of cellular oxidative stress.

Another interesting study is called, The Interrelationships of Selected Asbestos Exposure Indices by Jeremiah R. Lynch; Howard E. Ayer; Douglas L. Johnson - American Industrial Hygiene Association Journal, Volume 31, Issue 5 September 1970 , pages 598 604. Here is an excerpt: Abstract - Based on the assumption that the biological effect of asbestos is related to the concentration of respirable fibers, an index was developed which yields the concentration in numbers of asbestos fibers visible under 430 X phase-contrast illumination. Data are presented relating this index to overall dustiness as measured by impinger counts and to absolute fiber concentration and distribution as measured by electron microscopy. The relation between count estimates and gravimetric measures of total dust and chrysotile asbestos deduced from magnesium analyses are given for gross and respirable samples. These relations are developed for use in operations in the manufacture of asbestos textile, friction, cement, and insulation products. The most convenient, practical, and direct index of asbestos fiber exposure proved to be the concentration of fibers longer than 5 microns counted on membrane filters at 430 X phase-contrast illumination.

Another interesting study is called, Movement of Selected Metals, Asbestos, and Cyanide in Soil: Applications to Waste Disposal Problems by Fuller, W H Here is an excerpt: This report presents information on movement of selected hazardous substances in soil which can be applied to problems of selecting and operating land disposal sites for wastes containing arsenic, asbestos, beryllium, cadmium, chromium, copper, cyanide, iron, lead, mercury, selenium, and zinc. The information is based on a literature review, laboratory studies of movement of hazardous substances through soil in municipal landfill leachate, and the author's experience in soil science and waste disposal. In addition to a discussion of the soil and waste-related factors to be considered in selecting and managing disposal sites for minimum migration hazard, the report also presents general information on soils and geological materials and specific information on the chemistry of the selected hazardous substances which is relevant to an understanding of their migration in soil.

We all owe a debt of gratitude to these researchers. If you found any of these excerpts interesting, please read the studies in their entirety.