Production of free radicals arising from the surface activity of minerals and oxygen. Part II. Arsenides, sulfides, and sulfoarsenides of iron, nickel, and copper

Journal Article · Fri Dec 01 00:00:00 EST 1989 · Toxicology and Industrial Health; (USA)

OSTI ID:6967537

Costa, D; Guignard, J; Pezerat, H ^[1]

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1. Universite P. et. M. Curie, Paris (France)

The excess incidence of lung cancers observed in metallic mines other than iron mines probably can be correlated not only to radioactivity, but also to dust pollution. The present work investigates the role of surface properties of sulfides and arsenides, which are present in metal mines, in oxidizing mechanisms capable of inducing oxidative stress and, possibly, of participating in carcinogenesis. Using added spin-trapping agent followed by ESR spectroscopy, it was observed that nickel and copper arsenides can be very active in the oxidation of formate or DMSO, by reducing the oxygen dissolved in a cell-free medium. Sulfides, on the other hand, are not active, except for the iron sulfides, which are very active as an air-aged powder. The process of activation and rendering the particle surface passive was investigated. Surface dissolution and moderate grinding were found to be activating factors, while air-aging generally rendered the particle surface passive. The critical factor in determining activity is the availability of reducing species of iron, copper, or nickel on the surface of the minerals.

• OSTI ID: 6967537
• Journal Information: Toxicology and Industrial Health; (USA), Vol. 5:6; ISSN 0748-2337
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ARSENIDES
SURFACE PROPERTIES
COPPER
CARCINOGENESIS
IRON
NICKEL
RADICALS
BIOSYNTHESIS
SULFIDES
DISEASE INCIDENCE
ELECTRON SPIN RESONANCE
LUNGS
MINING
NEOPLASMS
OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE
PERSONNEL
REDOX REACTIONS
ARSENIC COMPOUNDS
BODY
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DISEASES
ELEMENTS
MAGNETIC RESONANCE
METALS
ORGANS
PATHOGENESIS
PNICTIDES
RESONANCE
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
SYNTHESIS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
560300* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology