Geological and mineralogical characterization of fibrous tremolite from Iacolinei quarry (Basilicata, Italy). in Environmental geochemistry and health / Environ Geochem Health. 2024 Sep 24;46(11):429. doi: 10.1007/s10653-024-02196-9.

2024
AOU Alessandria

Tipo pubblicazione

Journal Article

Autori/Collaboratori (14)Vedi tutti...

Pacella A
Department of Earth Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro, 5, I- 00185, Roma, Italy.
Ballirano P
Department of Earth Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro, 5, I- 00185, Roma, Italy.
Di Carlo MC
Department of Earth Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro, 5, I- 00185, Roma, Italy.

et alii...

Abstract

Naturally Occurring Asbestos (NOA) has drawn the attention worldwide when investigation revealed an increased incidence of malignant mesothelioma in population living near NOA sites. In Basilicata region (South Italy), population living in the villages of Castelluccio Superiore and Inferiore, Lauria, Latronico, Episcopia, San Severino Lucano, and Francavilla in Sinni may be considered at high risk of asbestos exposure because these villages are either surrounded by or built on NOA-rich ophiolitic outcrops. In this work we investigated an asbestos tremolite sample coming from the ophiolitic rocks outcropping in the quarry of Iacolinei, widely used in the past to extract aggregates for various applications.  A detailed mineralogical characterization has been attained by using a multi-analytical approach (EMPA, SEM-EDS, TEM-EDS, Mössbauer, µ-Raman, X-ray powder diffraction, and thermal analysis). Morphological investigation highlighted that the sample is composed of long fibers (>?5 µm) with a significant fraction (ca. 55%) having width below 0.25 µm, considered the most biologically active fibers. Moreover, the crystal chemical characterization showed that Fe occurs at the octahedral sites of the tremolite structure. It should be noted that Fe plays a primary role in the toxicity of asbestos. Based on these results, the investigated asbestos tremolite may be considered a potent mesothelial carcinogen, requiring therefore special attention for public health protection purposes. Investigations using sentinel animals to assess the diffusion of the tremolite fibers into the environment from the serpentinite rocks and soils of Iacolinei quarry are in progress.

Accesso banca dati bibliografica

PMID : 39316223

DOI : 10.1007/s10653-024-02196-9

Keywords

Italy; Asbestos, Amphibole/analysis; X-Ray Diffraction; Geologic Sediments/chemistry; Environmental Monitoring; Asbestos; Quarries; Tremolite;