Response of cell cultures to asbestos fibers.

The reaction of macrophages to asbestos and glass fibers was studied by light and by electron microscopy. Measurements were made of LDH release, staining with erythrosine B, and lactate production. Size and shape of asbestos fibers were found to have more effect than the physicochemical properties of the surface. Long fibers resulted in a protracted pathogenic but no acute cytotoxic effect.