The pathogenic nature of asbestos has become an established fact in environmental science. This is particularly true for the injury of epithelial cells. Although speculation exists as to the involvement of the fibrous nature of asbestos silicates, and/or the adverse oxidative properties of any ferrous components, as of yet, no concrete mechanism has been discerned for this pathogenic interaction. It should be apparent, however, that since the silicates are apparently altering the chemical and structural properties of the cells, stoichiometry requires some type of corresponding chemical alteration in the properties of the asbestoses. In the present case, we report on a variety of interesting results centered around the latter "reverse mechanism." In these studies, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy or electron speetroscopy for chemical analysis, atomic absorption spectroscopy, and electron spin resonance were employed to track the behavior and alterations of the chrysotile silicates immersed in select,cell cultures. In this regard, a unique mechanism is hypothesized involving (1) selective chemical attachment of the cellular bodies to the tetrahedral silicate layer of the asbestos, (2) followed by progressive extraction of some of the Mg, and then (3) any Ee that may be present is partially drawn out of the octahedral layers, and (4) eventually the latter species are found to lodge in the cells where chemical involvement with oxidants produced in the life cycle (such as H2O2) may generate peroxides through a fenton-type mechanism.