The electrophoretic mobilities of minerals determined by laser Doppler velocimetry and their relationship with the biological effects of dusts towards macrophages.
The role of surface charge in the pathogenicity of mineral dusts has been little studied, partly due to the time consuming nature of such determinations using conventional microelectrophoresis apparatus. In this work the use of laser Doppler velocimetry proved to be a rapid method of determining the electrophoretic mobility of mineral dusts. Ceramic ball milling of fibrous minerals, whilst dramatically reducing the cytotoxicity of the dusts towards macrophages, had only a small effect on electrophoretic mobility. It is concluded that some other factor, possibly fibre morphology, is important for observed biological effects. The coating of quartz and kaolinite with poly-2-vinyl pyridine-N-oxide dramatically lowered their cytotoxicity towards macrophages. The dusts' electrophoretic mobilities were also lowered. The significance of these findings is discussed.
D000818:Animals; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D004301:Doppler Effect; D004391:Dust / Q000032:analysis*; D004586:Electrophoresis; D005260:Female; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007834:Lasers; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects*; D051379:Mice; D008903:Minerals / Q000032:analysis*; D011144:Polyvinylpyridine N-Oxide; D011208:Powders; D013997:Time Factors
D001798:Blood Proteins; D004391:Dust; D008903:Minerals; D011208:Powders; D011144:Polyvinylpyridine N-Oxide