[Reaction of the interior lobes of the lung to the inhalation of mineral fibers].

Exposure to airborn fibres is an important health problem in man. Asbestos fibres (chrysotile, amphiboles) are the most frequently used; but, recently the same health problems were observed with other fibres (zeolite, glass fibres). The effects of inhaled fibres at the level of the respiratory system are related to the types of fibres and to the penetration and biological reactivity into the alveolar spaces. Two types of diseases can be observed: lung and pleural fibrosis and lung and pleural cancer. Actually, the size of fibres is a major point for these effects, the longest and thinnest fibres being the most dangerous. However, recent data with acid treated chrysotile indicate that the chemical composition must also intervene.