RESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to evaluate cytotoxicity of TAFMAG, which is a trade name of natural mineral fiber mined and produced in China. METHODS: The cytotoxicity of TAFMAG was evaluated by measuring iron content, lipid peroxidation, erythrocyte hemolysis, and cytotoxicity in vitro. These results were compared with the data of chrystotile and wollastonite as a positive and negative control, respectively. RESULTS: There was significant increase of Fenton activity in TAFMAG and chrysotile with dose-response pattern. The iron chelating agent, desferrioxamine, significantly decreased Fenton activity of the particulates except wollastonite. TAFMAG and chrysotile fibers significantly increased malondialdehyde concentration from lipid peroxidation of the red blood cell membrane. In erythrocyte hemolysis test, TAFMAG & chrysotile had stronger effect on erythrocyte hemolysis than wollastonite with the concentration of 1,000g/ml. Furthermore, TAFMAG was more hemolytic than chrysotile with the concentration of 5.000 g/ml. There was a significant cytotoxic effect in TAFMAG and chrysotile on RAW cell compared with wollastonite. CONCLUSIONS: In vitro study suggested that TAFMAG may have a similar health hazard as usual asbestos.