Considerable progress in understanding how inhaled minerals cause disease in man has been made in the past two decades. This is mostly due to the great amount of human, animal and cell multidisciplinary studies carried out on silica, asbestos and asbestiforms all around the world. Two previous NATO Workshops on "In Vitro Effects of Mineral Dusts on Cells", have been published in the NATO ASI Series (1985 and 1989). The present NATO-INSERM workshop has focused specifically on a group of silicates, named phyllosilicates because of their sheet structure, of which health related effects have been poorly and sporadically investigated. These silicates are presently largely used as filling materials (kaolin, talc, chlorite), insulating materials (vermiculite, micas), adsorbants (sepiolite, attapulgite) and in many other industrial applications. The estimated annual world production is presently 5.5 million tons of talc (1.8 million for Europe) and only in the United Kingdom about 3.5 million tons of kaolin.

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 part of this book covering pathogensis and modes of action begins with a chapter on the physicochemical properties of asbestos fibers and a chapter on the deposition and retention of fibers within the lung and their clearance. Some of the effects of asbestos can be reproduced in animal experiments, and the book includes a full review of the results from animal studies using various routes of administration of fibers. It is also generally accepted that the effects of fibers on pulmonary macrophages is central to all fiber-induced pathology, and the release of macrophage-associated inflammatory and immunological mediatros is dealt with in a further chapter. Examination of pathogenicity by cell culture is described, and areas covered include the role of free radicals and cellular mechanisms in producing genetic damage. The fiber-induced activation of some second messenger pathways is also described, with consideration of whether or not similar cellular mechanisms are responsible for all the clinical conditions associated with fiber exposure. Knowledge of the mechanisms involved should be valuable in the development of safe fibers and the prevention of human exposure to new materials that are dangerous as asbestos. The final chapters expound and resolve the conflicts in evidence, discuss the importance of fibers for human well-being and the possible health impact on nonmineral alternatives, and evaluate risks to the public

This companion volume to Velde's Origin and Mineralogy of Clays deals with the role of clays in specific environmental issues, and is unique in its subject matter. Individual chapters are written by recognized international experts in their field, and cover such subjects as radioactive waste disposal, trace metals, soil quality and productivity, pesticides, landfill, fibrous minerals and health. The approach combines reviews with current research, making it an invaluable resource for students, researchers and practitioners alike.

First multi-year cumulation covers six years: 1965-70.

The Editors are sorry that the production of this volume was delayed by the ill health of one of them and we hope that this does not detract from the value of the con tents. For once this delay is not the fault of any of the authors only the editors are to blame. Many of the workers in the field of fibre toxicology became convinced by the middle 1980's that the worst of the furore over asbestos was over although we were left with an intriguing problem - how does asbestos cause disease? It was expected that the future impact of fibres on human health would be very small since asbestos exposure would be controlled and there was little chance that man-made fibres would prove haz ardous. These man-made fibres are much thicker than asbestos and, in most cases, they are less durable in the body. Both of these properties are believed to make them much less likely to cause disease. However many of us had fallen into the habit of calling these materials "asbestos substitutes" and thus they have acquired a little of the notoriety at tached to the natural fibrous minerals. Very few of these man-made fibres are actually used as replacements for asbestos. Asbestos was not suitable for the uses to which the insulation wools are usually put and the ceramic fibres are replacements for fire brick not asbestos which is destroyed at the temperatures at which these materials are used.