Potential Toxicity of Natural Fibrous Zeolites: In Vitro Study Using Jurkat and HT22 Cell Lines

An emerging problem for human health is the exposure to non-regulated mineral fibers with an asbestos-like crystal habit, particularly fibrous zeolites. This study aimed determine if and how selected zeolites (erionite, mesolite, thomsonite) induce toxicity effects on two different in vitro cellular models, adherent murine hippocampal (HT22) immortalized T lymphocyte (Jurkat) cell lines. Before proceeding tests, three zeolite samples were investigated using scanning electron microscopy–energy-dispersive spectroscopy X-ray powder diffraction techniques. The cells treated 0.1 µM 1 of erionite, thomsonite 12, 24, 48 h. Results showed a cytotoxic effect erionite both models revealed toxic behaviors mesolite fibers, suggesting other potential mechanisms action. outcome this would be first step further research fine biochemical interactions future vivo investigations.