Potential carcinogenic erionite from Lessini Mounts, NE Italy: Morphological, mineralogical and chemical characterization

ABSTRACT

Exposure of humans to erionite fibers of suitable morphology and dimension has been unambiguously linked to the occurrence of malignant mesothelioma. For this reason, a morphological, morphometrical, mineralogical, and chemical investigation was performed on two representative samples of potential carcinogenic, fibrous erionite from Lessini Mounts, northeastern (NE) Italy, which has not apparently been examined previously. The first sample is erionite-Ca with an extremely fibrous, hair-like and flexible appearance, and growth in intimate association with levyne. The second sample is erionite-Ca with prismatic to acicular crystals and rigid behavior, enriched in K⁺ and Ca²⁺ extra-framework cations. Although erionite is a nominally Fe-free phase, iron (Fe) was detected in low amounts in all the analyzed crystals. In both the investigated samples, erionite is present as individual fibers of respirable size. Considering that the toxicity and carcinogenic potential of erionite is associated with its size parameters, together with its in vivo durability and high surface area, most of the investigated fibers may also be potentially carcinogenic. The presence of erionite in extensively quarried and largely employed volcanic rocks, suggesting the need for detailed health-based studies in the region.

Funding

Special thanks go to E. Salvioli Mariani (University of Parma) and L. Valentini (University of Urbino) for their assistance on the SEM observations and EDS analyses. Many thanks are also due to R. Carampin (IGC-CNR, Padova) for the kind assistance in the microprobe measurements. MM acknowledges financial support from University of Urbino Carlo Bo (DiSTeVA research grant 2015). We are deeply grateful to the editor-in-chief, Prof. Sam Kacew, for his detailed review of this article and for his editorial handling. We also acknowledge the four anonymous referees for their very helpful comments and suggestions, which greatly improved the article.

Additional information

Funding

Special thanks go to E. Salvioli Mariani (University of Parma) and L. Valentini (University of Urbino) for their assistance on the SEM observations and EDS analyses. Many thanks are also due to R. Carampin (IGC-CNR, Padova) for the kind assistance in the microprobe measurements. MM acknowledges financial support from University of Urbino Carlo Bo (DiSTeVA research grant 2015). We are deeply grateful to the editor-in-chief, Prof. Sam Kacew, for his detailed review of this article and for his editorial handling. We also acknowledge the four anonymous referees for their very helpful comments and suggestions, which greatly improved the article.