Chrysotile asbestos is progressively converted into a non-fibrous amorphous material by the chelating action of lichen metabolites

Sergio E Favero-Longo; Francesco Turci; Maura Tomatis; Daniele Castelli; Paola Bonfante; Michael F Hochella; Rosanna Piervittori; Bice Fubini

doi:10.1039/b507569f

Chrysotile asbestos is progressively converted into a non-fibrous amorphous material by the chelating action of lichen metabolites

J Environ Monit. 2005 Aug;7(8):764-6. doi: 10.1039/b507569f. Epub 2005 Jul 11.

Authors

Sergio E Favero-Longo¹, Francesco Turci, Maura Tomatis, Daniele Castelli, Paola Bonfante, Michael F Hochella, Rosanna Piervittori, Bice Fubini

Affiliation

¹ University of Torino and Interdepartmental Centre G. Scansetti for Studies on Asbestos and Other Toxic Particulates, Italy.

PMID: 16049575
DOI: 10.1039/b507569f

Abstract

A natural deactivation of chrysotile asbestos occurs on serpentinite rocks where lichens selectively grow on the fibres and secrete metabolites, including oxalic acid, which, in the long term, turn the fibres into a non-toxic amorphous material.

MeSH terms

Asbestos, Serpentine / chemistry*
Chelating Agents / chemistry
Chelating Agents / metabolism
Lichens / metabolism*
Lichens / ultrastructure
Oxalic Acid / chemistry*
Oxalic Acid / metabolism
Silicon Dioxide / chemistry

Substances

Asbestos, Serpentine
Chelating Agents
Silicon Dioxide
Oxalic Acid