Autoimmunity and Asbestos Exposure

Table 1

Description of mineral fibers discussed.

Fiber family	Fiber names	Chemistry	Location/use
Serpentine	Chrysotile	Mg3(Si2O5)(OH)4 (idealized), rolled sheets of Si oxide tetrahedra	Many commercial uses [7], Sumas Mtn [30]
Amphibole	Actinolite; Amosite; Anthophyllite; Crocidolite; Tremolite	Various Mg, Fe, Ca, and Na ions on double chains of silicon oxide tetrahedra	Igneous and metamorphic rock, many commercial uses [7, 31, 32]
Asbestiform	Winchite; Richterite	Similar to amphibole, not specifically classified as asbestos	Similar to amphiboles, contaminant [8, 31]
Nanomaterials	Nanotubes; Nanowires	Many metal formulations, formed into very long, thin chains or tubes	Synthetic, many commercial uses [13, 14]
Zeolite	Erionite	(Na2,K2,Ca)2Al4Si14O36·15H2O; (idealized), chains of silicate “cages” or rings	Igneous rock: Turkey [11, 12]; S. Dakota [11, 12]