Journal
MINERALS
Volume 12, Issue 5, Pages -Publisher
MDPI
DOI: 10.3390/min12050626
Keywords
fibrous ferrierite; northern Italy; electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR); scanning electron microscopy (SEM); X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD); health hazard
Funding
- project Fibers a Multidisciplinary Mineralogical, Crystal-Chemical and Biological Project to Amend the Paradigm of Toxicity and Cancerogenicity of Mineral Fibers (PRIN: PROGETTI DI RICERCA DI RILEVANTE INTERESSE NAZIONALE) [20173X8WA4]
- Department of Pure and Applied Sciences of the University of Urbino Carlo Bo
- INAIL-BRIC [ID60]
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This study investigates the morphology, crystal structure, chemistry, and surface activity of fibrous ferrierite found in northern Italy using various analytical techniques. The results show that these fibers are breathable, able to reach the alveolar space, and have a high ability to adsorb and interact with chemicals. Fibrous ferrierite can be considered a potential health hazard, requiring precautionary measures.
Nowadays, fibrous minerals pose as significant health hazards to humans, and exposure to these fibers can lead to the development of severe pulmonary diseases. This work investigated the morphology, crystal structure, chemistry, and surface activity of fibrous ferrierite recently found in northern Italy through an integrated approach using scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectroscopy, electron microprobe, inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry, X-ray powder diffraction, and electron paramagnetic resonance. Our results show that a notable amount of ferrierite fibers are breathable (average length similar to 22 mu m, average diameter 0.9 mu m, diameter-length ratio >> 1:3) and able to reach the alveolar space (average D-ae value 2.5 mu m). The prevailing extra-framework cations are in the Mg > (Ca approximate to K) relationship, R is from 0.81 to 0.83, and the Si/Al ratio is high (4.2-4.8). The bond distances suggest the occurrence of some degree of Si,A1 ordering, with Al showing a site-specific occupation preference T1 > T2 > T3 > T4. Ferrierite fibers show high amounts of adsorbed EPR probes, suggesting a high ability to adsorb and interact with related chemicals. According to these results, fibrous ferrierite can be considered a potential health hazard, and a precautionary approach should be applied when this material is handled. Future in vitro and in vivo tests are necessary to provide further experimental confirmation of the outcome of this work.
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