INVESTIGATIONS OF SURFACE PROPERTIES OF SILICA DUSTS WITH REGARD TO THEIR CYTOTOXICITY *

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Abstract
Infra-red and surface sensitive ESCA and Auger investigations have been performed on SiO 2 dust samples of known cytotoxicity. The results of these measurements support the idea that the amount of uncontaminated quartz surface is the important parameter for the pathogenic behaviour of respirable dust. The removal of impurities from silica particles by chemical treatment led to an increase of the cytotoxic effect. In the case of mixed dusts not only quartz but also some other components can exhibit considerable cytotoxicity. On the other hand, the fibrogenic activity is essentially caused by free quartz surfaces. For long-term effects, the removal and the development of certain contaminations in the course of time may be of importance.