FINE BIOGENIC SILICA FIBRES IN SUGAR CANE: A POSSIBLE HAZARD *

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Abstract
Some plants contain structures of biogenic silica which have been implicated as causes of disease in man. Following reports of mesotheliomas and lung cancers in sugar-cane workers, an examination of residues from sugar cane leaf has shown the presence of acicular biogenic silica, 0.85 μm in dia. and 10–300 μm long, which is within the carcinogenic size range for asbestos fibre. It is postulated that the release of such material during the common practice of burning off sugar-cane leaves before harvesting the stems may have health implications for sugar-cane workers.