Publications by authors named "A Pacella"
This article provides a review of published literature on the concentration levels of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in asbestos minerals like chrysotile, actinolite, amosite (asbestiform grunerite), anthophyllite, crocidolite (asbestiform riebeckite) and tremolite and their potential to release PTEs into groundwaters worldwide. A large number of PTEs, such as Fe, Cr, Ni, Mn, Co and Zn, may be hosted by asbestos minerals, and their release in the lung environment can cause different health problems as well as their intake via drinking water. The review highlights that amosite is the phase with the highest PTEs content, followed by crocidolite, actinolite, anthophyllite, tremolite and chrysotile.
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- Olivines are silicate minerals characterized by a specific structure where isolated silicon tetrahedra are linked through octahedra of different types.
- This study examines synthetic olivine crystals with up to 25% lithium-iron, revealing a clear ordering of lithium and iron in the crystal structure and suggesting that Li can effectively substitute for magnesium in olivine.
- Findings indicate that while certain structural distortions occur due to the weaker lithium-oxygen bonds, there is still a balance in the charge, pointing to the need for further research on lithium insertion for potential use in lithium-ion batteries.
Article Synopsis
- Naturally Occurring Asbestos (NOA) is linked to higher rates of malignant mesothelioma in populations near NOA sites, particularly in specific villages in the Basilicata region of South Italy, which are at high risk of asbestos exposure due to their geological context.
- A detailed study of an asbestos tremolite sample from the Iacolinei quarry revealed that it contains long fibers, with a significant portion being highly reactive and biologically active, raising concerns about its potential health hazards.
- The presence of iron in the asbestos structure is noted to enhance toxicity, categorizing the tremolite as a potent carcinogen and prompting ongoing investigations into its environmental impact for public health safety.
Article Synopsis
- The study examines how amosite asbestos fibers dissolve when exposed to a synthetic solution that replicates body conditions, focusing on a specific pH and temperature over an extended period.
- Researchers used various analytical methods to compare the dissolution behavior of amosite to other asbestos types (tremolite and crocidolite), finding similar incongruent dissolution patterns and a preferential release of magnesium and calcium ions.
- Interestingly, no iron was detected as being released from amosite fibers, which suggests unique stability traits, and highlights the importance of understanding these chemical changes for assessing the long-term toxicity related to asbestos materials.
Article Synopsis
- The environmental impact of natural occurrences of asbestos (NOA) is a rising concern, but inconsistent sampling and analytical methods complicate the issue.
- A multidisciplinary approach involving geology, chemistry, and toxicology is suggested to assess the hazards posed by NOA, specifically focusing on antigorite found in Varenna Valley, Italy.
- Findings indicate that antigorite has a toxicity profile and bioactivity potentially comparable to chrysotile asbestos, highlighting the need for careful hazard assessment of NOA sites.