The comparative effects of three chrysotiles by injection and inhalation in rats

Three samples of chrysotile, UICC Canadian chrysotile, a grade 7 Canadian chrysotile and a super fine sample (SFA) also from a Canadian mine, were compared in animal experiments using rats of the Wistar strain. All the materials contained impurities. The average length and diameter of the fibres contained in the UICC chrysotile cloud were less than for the other two chrysotiles, but the higher fibre count meant that the UICC cloud contained more fibres of all lengths. In the first experiment, groups of 48 rats were injected intrapleurally with 20 mg of respirable dust. Mesotheliomas occurred with all samples; 18 with SFA, 13 with grade 7, and five with UICC chrysotile. In the second experiment, rats were exposed to a respirable cloud of about 1 mg/m3 for 35 hours a week. Groups of 48 rats were exposed for three months, 24 for six months and 24 for 12 months. Malignant lung tumours occurred with all the dusts; 10 with UICC chrysotile, 4 with SFA, and 1 with grade 7. However, only one of these tumours, obtained with SFA, was a mesothelioma.