Environmental Health Perspectives 105, Supplement 5, September 1997

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Can Microwave Radiation at High Temperatures Reduce the Toxicity of Fibrous Crocidolite Asbestos?

Mairam Gulumian, 1,2 Zolani L. Nkosibomvu, 3 Kalavati Channa, 1 and Herman Pollak 3

1 Biochemistry Research Section, National Centre for Occupational Health, Johannesburg, South Africa
2 Department of Medical Biochemistry, Medical School, Wits, Parktown, South Africa
3 Department of Physics, Wits University, Johannesburg, South Africa

Abstract
Exposure of animals and humans to crocidolite asbestos fibers produces fibrosis and two types of cancers: bronchogenic carcinoma and mesothelioma. It is therefore desirable to reduce toxicity of these fibers without affecting their other characteristics. In this study, commercial crocidolite asbestos fibers were radiated with microwave radiation at different temperatures. Radiated fibers and nonradiated original fibers were then studied by Mössbauer spectroscopy to quantify the amount of ferric and ferrous ions present at structurally different sites in each crocidolite sample. They were also studied for their ability to initiate the peroxidation of linoleic acid to assess the effect of radiation on this process. Results showed that microwave radiation reduced the total Fe 2+ /Fe 3+ ratio. This reduction produced a concomitant decrease in the ability of the radiated samples to peroxidize linoleic acid. -- Environ Health Perspect 105(Suppl 5):1041-1044 (1997)

Key words : crocidolite, microwave radiation, toxicity, asbestos

This paper is based on a presentation at The Sixth International Meeting on the Toxicology of Natural and Man-Made Fibrous and Non-Fibrous Particles held 15-18 September 1996 in Lake Placid, New York. Manuscript received at EHP 26 March 1997; accepted 23 May 1997.
The authors thank E. Mogomotsi for determining the size distribution of the fibers.
Address correspondence to Dr. M. Gulumian, National Centre for Occupational Health, P.O. Box 4788, Johannesburg 2000, South Africa. Telephone: 27 11 720 5734. Fax: 27 11 720 6608. E-mail: mary@ncoh.pwv.gov.za
Abbreviations used: BSTFA, N,O-bis(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide; GC-MSD, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry detector; 9-HPODE, 9-hydroperoxy-octadecadienoic acid; 13-HPODE, 13-hydroperoxy-octadecadienoic acid.

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Last Update: October 17, 1997