[Carcinogenic and mutagenic activity of chrysotile, processed with iron chloride (III)].

This work is devoted to the study of the role of iron ions in the carcinogenic and mutagenic activity of chrysotile. For this aim natural chrysotile was treated with ferric chloride (III), washed, crushed and intratracheally introduced into Wistar rats. When administered to rats intact chrysotile induced mesotheliomas in 27,9 + 4,6% of cases, and chrysotile modified with ferric chloride - in 1,3 +/- 1,3%. Mutagenicity of the same samples was studied in the micronucleus test when administered intraperitoneally to mice Fl (CBA x S57Bl6). Polychromatic erythrocytes in the bone marrow were investigated 24 hours after intraperitoneal administration. The frequency of polychromatic erythrocytes with micronuclei was decreased from 7,4 +/- 0,18 by 1000 due to the action of chrysotile, from 2,8 +/- 0,42 for 1000 after the introduction of a modified sample. It is hypothesized that the ferric chloride modifies the surface of asbestos fibers that reduces the induction of free radicals which are the primary cause of and carcinogenic effects of chrysotile.