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Erionite as an occupational and environmental hazard in the Western U.S

Public Domain


Details

  • Personal Author:
    Harpe M
  • Description:
    Objective: The objective of this study is to evaluate the presence and hazard potential of the fibrous zeolite mineral erionite in the western states. Methods: Samples containing erionite have been collected from several areas. Cliffs in north-west Oregon were sampled at various horizons and examined under an optical microscope in the field. Approximately 10 kg of rock with the greatest concentration of erionite fibers (about 80%) were collected and transferred to RTI International to be made available as a research material. Cliffs in the Custer National Forest of South Dakota and Montana were also sampled. The Arikaree Formation (Palaeogene) contained up to 20% erionite. Finally, "woolly" erionite was collected near Austin, Nevada. These materials have been examined by phase-contrast and polarized light microscopy, scanning and transmission electron microscopy (with energy-dispersive spectroscopy) and x-ray diffraction. Preliminary toxicological experiments have been carried out to provide data on which to base a more comprehensive study. Results: Rome, OR erionite is now available in 10 gm vials from RTI International. Erionite is seen to be a highly diverse mineral, with a range of morphologies, and a considerable range of cation chemistry between sources, and also between individual particles from a single source. A cation content methodology for identifying erionite could not be supported and a method based on polarized-light microscopy and x-ray diffraction appears necessary. Finally, preliminary studies point to possible differences in toxicity between materials from different locations. Conclusions: Exposures to erionite have already been documented in aggregate mineral extraction and road construction and maintenance. However, the hazard posed by erionite may vary from location to location. [Description provided by NIOSH]
  • Subjects:
  • Keywords:
  • Publisher:
    American Industrial Hygiene Association
  • Document Type:
    Text
  • Genre:
    Abstract or Summary
  • Place as Subject:
  • CIO:
    National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
  • Division:
    HELD - Health Effects Laboratory Division
  • Topic:
    Workplace Safety & Health
  • Location:
    North America
  • Pages in Document:
    63
  • NIOSHTIC Number:
    nn:20046272
  • Citation:
    AIHce 2015: American Industrial Hygiene Conference and Exposition, May 30 - June 4, 2015, Salt Lake City, Utah. Falls Church, VA: American Industrial Hygiene Association, 2015 May; :63
  • Federal Fiscal Year:
    2015
  • NORA Priority Area:
    Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing
  • Peer Reviewed:
    False
  • Source Full Name:
    AIHce 2015: American Industrial Hygiene Conference and Exposition, May 30 - June 4, 2015, Salt Lake City, Utah
  • Collection(s):
  • Main Document Checksum:
    urn:sha-512:8b2ae9876fa9c81581e096c366fd86fdabe6e23bc444bb51e163e060dbb30386a16b2543912c4adc0d56e4e17cc0ec79310c3295069360c1a68da8b9e9cf7beb
  • Download URL:
  • File Type:
    Filetype[PDF - 707.27 KB ]
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