Identification and Preliminary Toxicological Assessment of a Non-Regulated Mineral Fiber: Fibrous Antigorite from New Caledonia

• DOI: 10.2113/eeg-2274
• Publication Date: 2019-10-02T17:59:48Z
• Authors: Jasmine Rita Petr...; Christine Laporte...; Emma Salvioli-Mar...; Maura Tomatis; Elena Gazzano; Francesco Turci; Alessandro Cavallo; Bice Fubini
• Keywords: Actinolite; Tremolite; Chrysotile

ABSTRACT The rising awareness about the risk due to asbestos environmental exposure has led a new interest in investigation of non-regulated mineral fibers. Evidence chronic diseases been described individuals exposed naturally occurring asbestiform (NOA) minerals Turkey (erionite), Italy (fluoro-edenite), and United States (winchite/richterite). In New Caledonia, an increased incidence asbestos-related was correlated with natural occurrence fibrous serpentines chrysotile fibro-lamellar antigorite outcrops, roadways, soils. A minor amount tremolite also observed, increasing health hazard. By adopting precautionary principle, Caledonia legislation classified as regulated asbestos, even if limited toxicity assessment is available. Caledonian exhibits wide range shapes, morphologies, degrees alteration result pedogenic induced by subtropical conditions. As increases, lamellar gradually cleaves into fibrous-like particles, assuming habit. An increase emission inhalable (potentially asbestiform) fibers air observed. To understand this mechanism, multidisciplinary mineralogical geochemical carried out. Additionally, several vitro tests have performed on three samples, subjected different levels alteration, collect preliminary information toxicity. Alteration modifies surface reactivity antigorite. circulation fluids induces mechanical stress elemental exchange at mineral/water interface, promoting loss cohesion structure affecting chemistry (asbestiform)