Enhanced Gastric/Lung Arsenic Bioaccessibility from Lignite Fly Ashes: Comparing Bioaccessibility Rates with Multiple Environmental Matrices

Inorganic arsenic (As), a carcinogenic element to humans, is among the most dangerous and flammable substances that coal-burning plants could release. When coal is burned, large portions of arsenic are captured on fly-ash (FA) particles, but it could also contribute significantly to stack emissions of fine fly-ash particles. The aim of this study was to evaluate the oral and respiratory bioaccessibility of arsenic in lignite fly-ash (LFA) samples, and their contribution to total As exposure. Arsenic bioaccessibility fractions via ingestion and inhalation showed significant differences, suggesting the presence of highly soluble As-bearing phases in the studied LFA samples. The bioaccessible As fractions (BAF%) in the simulated gastric fluids (UBM protocol, ISO 17924:2018) showed a range of 45-73%, while the pulmonary bioaccessibility rates in the simulated lung fluid (artificial lung fluid (ALF)) exhibited significantly enhanced levels ranging from 86% to 95%. The obtained arsenic bioaccessibility rates were compared with previous data for multiple environmental matrices such as soil and dust-related materials, revealing that LFA exhibited significantly higher bioaccessibility (%) for the inhalation pathway.

Automated summary

The aim of this study was to evaluate the bioaccessibility of arsenic in lignite fly-ash samples via ingestion and inhalation, and its contribution to total arsenic exposure. The results showed significant differences in the bioaccessibility of arsenic between oral and respiratory pathways, suggesting the presence of highly soluble arsenic-bearing phases in the fly-ash samples. The bioaccessibility rates in gastric fluids ranged from 45-73%, while the pulmonary bioaccessibility rates in artificial lung fluids exhibited significantly higher levels ranging from 86% to 95%.