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Annals of Occupational Hygiene Advance Access originally published online on May 12, 2009
Annals of Occupational Hygiene 2009 53(5):491-497; doi:10.1093/annhyg/mep028
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© The Author 2009. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the British Occupational Hygiene Society

Role of Associated Mineral Fibres in Chrysotile Asbestos Health Effects: The Case of Balangeroite

Francesco Turci1,2, Maura Tomatis1,2, Roberto Compagnoni1,3 and Bice Fubini1,2,*

1 Interdepartmental Centre ‘G. Scansetti’ for Studies on Asbestos and Other Toxic Particulates, University of Torino, via Pietro Giuria 9, 10125 Torino, Italy
2 Dipartimento di Chimica IFM, University of Torino, via Pietro Giuria 7, 10125 Torino, Italy
3 Dipartimento di Scienze Mineralogiche e Petrologiche, University of Torino, via Valperga Caluso 35, 10125 Torino, Italy

* Author to whom correspondence should be addressed. Tel: +39-011-670-7566; fax: +39-011-670-7577; e-mail: bice.fubini{at}unito.it

Objectives: To evaluate the biodurability of balangeroite, present as contaminant of chrysotile asbestos in the Balangero mine, in order to have indication whether it might have been a confounding factor in the association of the mesothelioma cases reported among mine workers and employees.

Methods: The modifications taking place following incubation of the fibres in simulated phagolysosomal fluids have been measured on balangeroite, on one pure chrysotile sample (Val Malenco), on one chrysotile from Balangero with some associated balangeroite, and on two tremolite samples.

Results: The incubation modifies both chrysotile and balangeroite with substantial release in the medium of the metal ions which occupy the octahedral site in the mineral structure of the fibre while tremolite is virtually unaffected.

Conclusions: Considering the profound differences between the structure of balangeroite and amphiboles, previous results and observations on the poor ecopersistence of balangeroite, and the present data, we conclude that balangeroite traces may contribute to the overall toxicity of the airborne fibres in Balangero, but may not be compared to tremolite nor considered the sole responsible for the excess of mesothelioma found in Balangero.

Keywords: asbestiform minerals • balangeroite • biodurability • chrysotile • tremolite

Received February 3, 2009; in final form March 26, 2009


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