Toxicity of Phlogopite and Muscovite In Vitro

Mica minerals are used for many industrial purposes. The traditional view suggests that mica dust is not harmful to the health of exposed workers (Parkes 1982), but the issue is controversial (Skulberg et al. 1985). In vitro studies suggested that mica was toxic (Holopainen et al. 1986). Intratracheal instillation of mica induced mild pulmonary fibrosis in rats (Dianova et al. 1976). Furthermore, sporadic case reports of mica pneumoconiosis have been reported (Davies and Cotton 1983). Although some epidemiologic studies suggested that mica may cause pneumoconiosis (Krasnopejeva et al. 1964, Dreessen et al. 1940), in other studies such a risk was not observed (Heimann et al. 1953, Smith 1952).