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Title: Prevention of the acute cytotoxicity associated with silica-containing minerals

Patent ·
OSTI ID:7164613

The inventors have developed a method that may prevent the acute cytotoxicity of freshly fractured silica and silica containing minerals including asbestos and coal-mine dust containing silica. The method entails coating silica-containing minerals, including coal, with a monomolecular film of an aqueously compatible silane coupling agent, either during milling, processing or after grinding or fracturing of silica or silica-containing materials. The invention also provides for a method of preventing certain pulmonary diseases, have been considered as occupational hazards in certain professions, such as coal mining and any other profession where persons are subjected to the inhalation of small particles of freshly fractured or ground silica containing minerals.

Research Organization:
Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, DC (USA)
Assignee:
Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, DC.
Patent Number(s):
A US 7-429033
OSTI ID:
7164613
Resource Relation:
Other Information: This Government-owned invention available for U.S. licensing and, possibly, for foreign licensing. Copy of application available NTIS
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English