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Title: Potential biological hazards of nickel arsenides associated with retorting of oil shale: toxic effects of particulate Ni/sub 5/As/sub 2/

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:5369584

Considerations of (1) oil shale retort operating conditions, (2) oil shale elemental cmposition, (3) nickel and arsenic physicochemical properties, and (4) oil shale matrix structure lead to the suggestion that nickel arsenides may be formed during the oil shale retorting process. The biological effects of nickel arsenides have not been previously studied. However, crystal structure similarities between nickel subarsenide and the potent carcinogens nickel subsulfide and nickel subselenimide have caused concern that nickel arsenides may have adverse effects on biological systems. To determine if fugitive nickel arsenides from an oil shale retort could pose a threat to personnel in the workplace or to other living organisms in the environment, a program to study the toxicity of nickel arsenides has been initiated. Five stable nickel arsenides (Ni/sub 5/As/sub 2/, Ni/sub 2/As, Ni/sub 11/As/sub 8/, NiAs, and NiAs/sub 2/) and nickel arsenic sulfide (NiAsS) are considered possible species for consideration. This report describes some effects of particulate Ni/sub 5/As/sub 2/ on cultured mammalian cells.

Research Organization:
Los Alamos National Lab., NM (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-36
OSTI ID:
5369584
Report Number(s):
LA-8995-MS; ON: DE82010978
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English