Refractory ceramic fibers (RCFs) induce germline aneuploidy in Drosophila oocytes

Mineral fibers are ubiquitous in the natural environment and are widely used in industry in such applications as insulators. We have previously shown that asbestos fibers induce aneuploidy in oocytes of Drosophila melanogaster; here we extend those studies by testing refractory ceramic fibers (RCFs) for their mutagenicity to germ cells. The results establish that the tested RCFs are inducers of aneuploidy following feeding of adult females. A subset of the RCFs were also effective following larval feeding. Our results suggest that RCFs, like certain asbestos fibers, may pose a hazard to germ cells.