Les fibres céramiques réfractaires : un danger pour l'Homme ? Revue de la littérature

Toxicological studies conducted on rodents using several exposure methods reported lung carcinoma and mesothelioma. After analysis, they were attributed to lung overloading Epidemiological studies on European and American professionals in the RCF production industry reported symptoms of dyspnea and recurrent chest pain, spirometric data showing a fall in the maximum expired volume in one second and lower vital capacity among smokers assigned to a production job position (only in the 1980s), and radiological data showing an increased prevalence of pleural plaques. The average prevalence of pleural plaques of exposed workers (2.7%) did not however exceed the values noted in the nonexposed population. No evidence of mesothelioma, bronchial carcinoma or diffuse infiltration pathology was shown. Mortality study results were negative as far as lung pathologies were concerned. Furthermore, the exposure to ceramic fibres concerns only the occupational environment and not the public at large.