Biopersistance of various types of mineral fibres in the rat lung after intratracheal application

Introduction: From present knowledge the biopersistence of fibres is a critical factor for the possible cancerogenic potency of these materials. To test the relationships between chemical composition, biopersistence and cancerogenicity, in the present study fibre materials were used which preferably had been already tested for carcinogenic potency in an intraperitoneal test or an inhalation study.