Numerous aspects of silica polymorphs can affect their biological activities, including periodic structures, compositional variations, dissolution characteristics, surface properties, and particle size and shape. For an understanding of mineral-induced pathogenesis from a mechanistic perspective, the links between these properties and biochemical processes must be elucidated. This paper presents some strategies for designing assays to evaluate these properties.

Key terms coesite; cristobalite; keatite; quartz; stishovite; toxicity; tridymite