The Fourth International Workshop on "In Vitro Effects of Mineral Dusts on Cells" was held on September 20 - 23, 1988 in Auberge Estrimont, Orford, Quebec, Canada. The emphasis of the N. A. T. O. Advanced Research Workshop was the use of cell and organ culture and lavage cell populations obtained from man and laboratory animals to elucidate cellular and molecular events occur ring after their interaction with fibrous and nonfibrous particulates, including metal compounds. In seven sessions, an international representation of scientists from 17 countries (Austria, Belgium, Canada, France, Federal Republic of Germany, India, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Union of South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States of America, and Yugoslavia) presented recent research findings in the following areas: Epithelial cell injury and proliferation by minerals. Physico-chemical properties of minerals in relation to their biologic effects. Mechanisms of dust-induced pneumoconioses. Clinical and experimental studies. Mechanisms of cytotoxicity, mutagenicity and carcinogenicity. Oxidants, cytotoxicity and disease. Mechanisms of mineral-induced inflammation. Mechanisms of carcinogenesis. A session on "Questions, risk and public policy" provided a lively discussion on the relevance of in vitro experiments to carcinogenicity studies in man and their implications in the formation of regulatory policies. VI The organizing committee for this workshop was: Co-Chairs: B. T. Mossman (USA) and R. Begin (Canada) E. G. Beck (FRG) A. Lange (Poland) A. Brody (USA) P. Nettesheim (USA) R. C. Brown (UK) Q. Rahman (India) J. Bignon (France) K. Robock (FRG) Fisher G.

Presented here are recent data on the mechanisms of action of different dusts and fibres of industrial interest. Emphasis is placed on the use of cell and organ culture and lavage cell populations obtained from man and laboratory animals to elucidate cellular and molecular events occurring after their interaction with fibrous and non-fibrous particulates including metal compounds. In four sections, the volume provides research findings in the following areas: - Cellular and Metabolic Changes Caused by Mineral Dusts - Molecular Changes and DNA Alterations Produced by Mineral Dusts - In Vivo Dust-Related Pathological Processes. Correlations Between in Vitro and in Vivo Data - Physico-Chemical Properties of Minerals in Relation to Their Biological Effects.

Volume 28 of Reviews in Mineralogy provides some of the necessary tools for the researcher interested in this area of interdisciplinary research. The chapters present several of the important problems, concepts, and approaches from both the geological and biological ends of the spectrum. These two extremes are partially integrated throughout the book by cross-referencing between chapters. Chapter 1 also presents a general introduction into the ways in which these two areas overlap. However, many of the areas ripe for the interdisciplinarian will become obvious after reading the various chapters. The final chapter of this book discusses some of the regulatory aspects of minerals. Ultimately, the regulatory arena is where this type of interdisciplinary approach can make an impact, and hopefully better communication between all parties will accomplish this goal. A glossary is included at the end of this book, because the complexity of scientific terms in the two fields can thwart even the most enthusiastic of individuals. This volume represents the proceedings of a course by the same title held at Harbor House Resort and Conference Center on Nantucket Island off the coast of Massachusetts, October 22-24, 1993.

The Third International \~orkshop on "The in Vitro Effects of Mineral Dusts" was held on October 1 - 4, 1984 in Schluchsee, Black Forest, Federal Republic of Germany. In six sessions, 93 participants from 14 countries (USA 32, France 17, United Kingdom 12, FRG 11, Canada 9, Belgium 3, Hungary 1, Italy 2, India 1, Nether lands 1, Norway 1, Poland 1, Portugal 1, Turkey 1) treated and discussed the following subjects: - Significance of the physico-chemical properties of inhalable mineral dusts (mine dusts, asbestos, Man-Made Mineral Fibres - MMMF). - Cellular effects of inhalable mineral dusts with special regard to target ce 11 s. - Immune response and immune toxicity. - Carcinogenicity and interrelated genotoxic and non-genotoxic effects. - Effect of cell metabolism in combination with inflammation and fibrogenesis. - Significance and credibility of in vitro test systems. For the pathogenesis of biological effects and diseases caused by inhalable mineral dusts a number of factors may be significant such as: - Type of dust - Dose of dust - Size and shape of dust particles, and especially - Surface properties of dust particles, which inter alia determine the - sorption properties, e.g. for environmental substances.

This volume presents state-of-the-art research about mineral dust, including results from field campaigns, satellite observations, laboratory studies, computer modelling and theoretical studies. Dust research is a new, dynamic and fast-growing area of science and due to its multiple roles in the Earth system, dust has become a fascinating topic for many scientific disciplines. Aspects of dust research covered in this book reach from timescales of minutes (as with dust devils, cloud processes and radiation) to millennia (as with loess formation and oceanic sediments), making dust both a player and recorder of environmental change. The book is structured in four main parts that explore characteristics of dust, the global dust cycle, impacts of dust on the Earth system, and dust as a climate indicator. The chapters in these parts provide a comprehensive, detailed overview of this highly interdisciplinary subject. The contributions presented here cover dust from source to sink and describe all the processes dust particles undergo while travelling through the atmosphere. Chapters explore how dust is lifted and transported, how it affects radiation, clouds, regional circulations, precipitation and chemical processes in the atmosphere and how it deteriorates air quality. The book explores how dust is removed from the atmosphere by gravitational settling, turbulence or precipitation, how iron contained in dust fertilizes terrestrial and marine ecosystems, and about the role that dust plays in human health. We learn how dust is observed, simulated using computer models and forecast. The book also details the role of dust deposits for climate reconstructions. Scientific observations and results are presented, along with numerous illustrations. This work has an interdisciplinary appeal and will engage scholars in geology, geography, chemistry, meteorology and physics, amongst others with an interest in the Earth system and environmental change. body>