Beck, E. G., Holt, P. F., and Nasrallah, E. T. (1971). Brit. J. industr. Med., 28, 179-185. Effects of chrysotile and acid-treated chrysotile on macrophage cultures. The addition of chrysotile asbestos to monolayer cultures of peritoneal and alveolar macrophages produces an increase in membrane permeability, as measured by eosin uptake and lactic dehydrogenase activity of the supernatant fluid. The lactate synthesis is increased, however. It is suggested that the permeability of the cell membrane is increased while dust particles are being phagocytosed, which may take several hours when the particles are fibrous, but that this does not imply cell damage. Treatment of chrysotile with acid, which leaves a silica surface, results in a product that reduces lactate synthesis, implying cytotoxicity. This change is counteracted by poly(2-vinyl-pyridine 1-oxide). The polymer does not affect the properties of the native chrysotile.