Addison J
Addison-Lynch, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
Regul Toxicol Pharmacol. 1995 Jun;21(3):397-405. doi: 10.1006/rtph.1995.1054.
Vermiculite is a mica-type mineral that is being used in increasing quantities for insulation, in composite cements, and in horticulture. No serious health risks have been found resulting from the exposure to vermiculite alone nor are any anticipated in view of its long-term chemical durability, even with respect to fibers of vermiculite. Vermiculite ores may contain a variety of other minerals including asbestos, which, if present in significant quantities, could pose a health risk to producers and end users. A variety of regulations are in place that should prevent inadvertent exposure to asbestos in vermiculites, but great care is needed if true asbestos hazards are to be correctly identified. At the same time, vermiculites containing any of a variety amphibole minerals should not be excluded from use because of mistaken identification of these minerals as asbestos. A variety of test methods that have been developed are described and recommendations are made with respect to appropriate action levels for asbestos in vermiculites or other raw materials.
蛭石是一种云母类矿物，其在隔热、复合水泥及园艺领域的用量正不断增加。目前尚未发现因单独接触蛭石而产生的严重健康风险，鉴于其长期的化学稳定性，即便对于蛭石纤维，也未预期会有此类风险。蛭石矿可能含有多种其他矿物，包括石棉，若石棉含量可观，可能会对生产者和终端用户构成健康风险。现有各种法规应可防止在蛭石中意外接触到石棉，但要正确识别真正的石棉危害，仍需格外小心。同时，不应因将各种角闪石矿物误识别为石棉而排除含有这些矿物的蛭石的使用。文中描述了已开发出的多种测试方法，并针对蛭石或其他原材料中石棉的适当行动水平给出了建议。
