A Systematic Study of the Cryogenic Milling of Chrysotile Asbestos

For more than 40 years, intensive research has been devoted to shedding light on the mechanisms of asbestos toxicity. Given key role fibre length in toxicity, much work finding suitable comminution routes produce fibres desired size intervals. A promising method is cryogenic milling that, unlike other mechanical reduction techniques, preserves crystal–chemical properties materials. In this study, effect physical–chemical commercial Russian chrysotile was studied order precise fractions with invariant compared pristine fibres. particular, two batches > 5 µm and < were prepared, as limit sets their potential The results are fundamental for future vitro toxicity testing product, widely used chrysotile-friendly countries but not yet adequately studied. Results show that can be controlled by time under conditions without inducing structural defects or amorphization; short (95% L µm) obtained min, while 10 min enough yield long (90% µm).