Wollastonite toxicity: an update

Abstract

This review updates earlier work addressing the epidemiology and toxicity of wollastonite. Earlier chronic animal bioassay and human mortality data were inadequate (IARC term) or negative and no new studies of these types have been published. Wollastonite has been determined to have low biopersistence in both in vivo and in vitro studies, which probably accounts for its relative lack of toxicity. Earlier morbidity studies of mining/mineral processing facilities in Finland and New York State indicated that exposure to wollastonite might result in pleural plaques (Finland) or decrements in certain measures of lung function (New York). More recent analysis of data from an ongoing health surveillance program at one facility (New York) indicates that there are no pleural plaques or interstitial lung disease or decrements in lung function among never smokers or former smokers occupationally exposed to wollastonite. This result probably reflects continued reduction in exposures as part of an ongoing product stewardship program at this facility and suggests that wollastonite has relatively low toxicity as currently managed.

Effects of the Improvement in Thermal Conductivity Coefficient by Nano-Wollastonite on Physical and Mechanical Properties in Medium-Density Fiberboard (MDF)

“…In fact, a review of the available epidemiological studies on wollastonite provides no evidence to suggest that wollastonite presents a health hazard; earlier studies on workers exposed to wollastonite dust indicated a need for further study of the health hazards to be carried out to come to a final conclusion (Huuskonen et al 1983;Maxim and McConnell 2005). However, a recent study on epidemiology and toxicity of wollastonite summed up that no pleural plaques or interstitial lung disease or decrements in lung function were observed among both never smokers as well as former smokers occupationally exposed to wollastonite (Maxim et al 2014b). They further concluded that wollastonite had relatively low toxicity as currently managed, and that the present occupational limits (OELs) are adequate.…”

Fire‐retarding properties of nanowollastonite in particleboard

“…Wollastonite, a silicate mineral (CaSiO 3 ), has successfully been used to improve biological resistance against wood‐deteriorating fungi in solid wood and wood composites, to improve thermal conductivity coefficient in wood composites to solve the problem of accelerated heat‐transfer to the core of the composite mat, and to improve physical and mechanical properties in different wood composites . Moreover, it was reported to have no hazardous effects on human or wildlife …”

Are pleural plaques an appropriate endpoint for risk analyses?

“…The calculated standard mortality ratios for all neoplasms and cancer of the lung and bronchus for both men and women were less than unity, which fails to indicate that wollastonite is carcinogenic. Wollastonite toxicity has been the subject of review articles (Maxim & McConnell, 2005;Maxim et al, 2014) that indicate that this fiber is unlikely to be carcinogenic. Studies have suggested that exposure to mineral wool may be associated with the development of pleural plaques (Sandén & Järvholm, 1986;Järvholm et al, 1995).…”