Document w6NN8jpo53BEd7NK0bj4XE2D

FILE NAME: Synkoloid (SYN) DATE: 1975 SYN013 DOC#: SYN013 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION: Journal article on study by Dr Rohl on asbestos in spackling, patching, and jointing compounds u >r mosi oi inc elements in the ccn- tci ic periodic ubtc, such as the transi tion elements. Finally, when the ionic potential is high (> 10) the positive ion ap propriates one or more oxygen ion, freeing the hydrogen and forming an oxyanion, which is generally soluble; this is charac teristic of the nonmetals in the upper right advantageous to the rapid development of life, is not justified. Amos Banin J erzy Navrot Department o f Soil and Water Sciences, Hebrew Universityo fJerusalem, Rehovou Israel comer of the periodic table. R efcrm m Nm m If life began in the primitive terrestrial oceans, elements whose abundances in the aqueous phase are high should have a high representation in living material. In Fig. 1, the enrichment factor for a number of ele ments--that is, the ratio of the concentra tion of the element in an organism to its Fig. 2. Elemental enrichment factors in seawa concentration in the earth's crust (7>--is ter, related to the ionic potential of the elements. plotted against ionic potential. A similar curve is seen for all major groups of orga nises, as we proceed up the evolutionary may be taken as a clue to a more exact lo scale from bacteria to fungi to plants to cation for the origin of life. It can be specu land animals, and for the ocean (Fig. 2). lated that life began at the interface of the A general pattern is observed for all primitive atmosphere and the ocean, in the living organisms: (i) For elements of low thin microlayers at the surface of the ocean ionic potential values ( < 3) the log of where targe enrichments of the atmo the enrichment factor (EF) is in the range spheric constituents (mainly nitrogen and of -I to +1 indicating small enrichment or carbon at that stage) may occur. Various small depletion relative to the crust, (ii) other elements may also be concentrated in For intermediate IPvaluesth(3es<e mic<rol1a0y)ers because of the effects of log EF is -3 to -4 indicating large de surface-active materials, surface tension, pletion in living organisms, (iii) For large and the transfer processes between the liq IP values (IP > 10) log EF increases as the uid and the gaseous phase. In any event, it 'ionic potential increases and varies from is evident that a chemical environment -4 to +4. It should be noted that the ele similar to the earth's ocean is sufficient to ments mentioned by Crick and Orgel as explain the elemental abundance relation showing anomalous distribution patterns-- ships in living materials. A nonterrestrial 1. S. Arrhenius, Worlds in the U akirg (H arper A Row. New York, 190*1. 1 F. H. C. Crick and L. E Orgel, teams 19, 341 . (1973). ^ 3 13^1974? * Me* len' D. Runnells, 4. T. H. Jukes, i W , p. 516. 5. 6. L K. a.E Orgel, ibid.,p. Krauskopf. 5 IS. Introduction to Geochemistry (M cG nw-H i)l, New York, 1965). 7. Data ofl concentration ranges and mean values of elemental abundances were compiled from the fol lowing sources: (Earth's crust) S. R. Taylor, ckim. Cosmochim.Acta 23, 1280 (1904). (Seawa ter) J P. Riley and G. Skirrow, Ef&, Chemical Oceanography (Academic Press. New York, 1965), vot. I. pp. 164-165. (Bacteria and fungi) J. R. Porter, Bacterial Cand Physiology (Wiley, New York, 1948), p. 365; W, S. Spector. Ed.. Handbook o f Biological Data (Saunders. Philadelphia, 1956), pp. 88-89*. C Long, Ed., Bio chemists' Handbook (Spon, London. 1961), pp. 1050-1052. (Plants) H. D. Chapman. Ed.. Diag nostic Criteria fo r Plants and Soils (Univ. of Cali fornia Press, Berkeley. 1966), p. 793. (Land ani mals) H. J. M, Bowen, Trace Elements in Bio chemistry (Academic Press, London, 1966), pp. 174-210, A. Banin and J. Navrot, Common. Soil Sci. Plant Anal. 3, |77 (1972). Where available, d ata for a range o f concentrations were used to calculate a range of enrichment factors for a group o f organisms. When only the mean concentration was available, only one enrichment factor value was given. The ionic potential was calculated using crystal radius values given by L. H. Ahrens [G*o- chim. Cosmochim. Acta 2, 155 (1952)). For ele ments appearing in various oxidation states the most abundant form was chosen. 8- A. I. Oparin, in Exobiology, C. Ponnamperuma, Ed. (North-HolUitd, Amsterdam, 1972), p. 11. 9. For constructive criticism of this manuscript we extend our thanks to J. Kronfctd and I. Cohen. Mo, Ni, and C r--also follow this general explanation, especially one that has in- 11 March 197$ pattern. Specifically, Mo does not show any significant enrichment in living organ isms as compared to the earth's crust gOrbovuipouosflyo,rgtaakniinsmg sesaecpharealteemlye,nwt eanmdayeaecxh Exposure to Asbestos in the Use of Consumer Spackling, pect many exceptions to the rules; still, Patching, and Taping Compounds the general pattern is strikingly similar for all the groups of organisms investigated. Abstract. Analysis o f representative samples o f spackling, patching, and jointing According to Oparin (), some com pounds. purchased at retail stores in the New York City area, has shown that some con binations of biochemical reactions are tain asbestos minerals as well as other biologically active substances. Measurements sug characteristic of ail contemporary orga gest that home repair work involving the use o f such materials may result in exposure to nisms. These are combinations of patterns dust at concentrations sufficient to produce d. acquired by the emerging living matter in its very early stages of development, before Spackling and drywall taping com Fifteen samples of consumer spackling further specialization and differentiation pounds consist of extremely fine-grained and patching compounds were purchased took place. Thus the basic similarity of the white powders or premixed pastes. Plaster at hardware stores in the New York City elemental composition pattern of ail of Paris is supposedly the major constitu area, four in 1972 or earlier and the re groups of living organisms (Fig. 1) in ent, but other light-colored materials in mainder in January 1974. We analyzed the dicates that the pattern was determined at the initial steps of the development of life. It should be noted that in the range of ionic potentials higher than 10, where the major biochemical dements sulfur, car bon, and nitrogen are found, organisms have a very significant enrichment of 10 to tosI 10,000 relative to the ocean. This cluding clays, micas, quartz, talc, and ground limestone, supplement or replace the plaster in many formulations. Chrysotile is added to some products, apparently because these minute fibers act as rein forcing agents. The presenoe of amphibole asbestos in some products results from its natural occurrence in talc, carbonates, and other rocks used as raw materials (/). samples for mineral phases by polarized light microscopy, x-ray powder diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy, with particular attention to quantitative determination of asbestos minerals. The spackling and taping compounds consist mainly of particles smaller than 3 Mm in average diameter or length (Fig. 1). Par ticles of this size are generally too small to i5 AUGUST 197$ Tiblc I. Mineral content of consumer speckling and patching compounds and industrial drywall taping compounds. Frequency of occurrence of mineral phases weight basis. Diagnostic reflections for each of the asbestos minerals were select ed. These reflections were step-scanned by x-ray diffraction at increments of 0.02* 2d, where 0is the dispersion angle, over a Mineral phase In 15 consumer In 10 spackling industrial and patching drywall taping compounds compounds goniometric interval sufficient to define a peak-to-background ratio for the diagnos tic reflections. A digital printout of elapsed time in a fixed-count determination was Chrysotile T remolitc Anthophyllite Talc 3 (5-10%) 1 (4-6%) 1 (10-12%) 2 9 (5-12%) 1 (5- 7%) 2 used to prepare precise positions and pro files of the diagnostic reflections. The area above background, determined with a compensating polar planimeter. was taken Quartz Feldspar Pyrophyllite Mica Kaolinite Calcite Dolomite Plaster of Paris 9 (5-70%) 1 2 8 5 11 3 7 6(10-30%) 9 7 4 4 6 to be proportional to the concentration. Details of the method have been presented elsewhere (2). Samples of spackling and taping compounds were prepared, ana lyzed, and measured under the same condi tions as the dilution standards. Com parison of the results of known dilution Fig. I Electron photomicrograph of a cons, nc spackling product Large numbers of chrysotil fibers and fiber bundles are present Granule particulates are clay, mica, and carbonate mir erala. standards with the samples permitted the amounts of asbestos to be estimated with stituent in two samples and pyrophyllite i be individually studied by polarized light approximately 20 percent reproducibility. two. The crystal structure and physia microscopy, and identification is further The presence of certain minerals may in properties of pryrophyllite are almos confounded because these compounds terfere with the detection or quantitation identical to those of talc: pyrophyllite ma commonly are mixtures of four or more of chrysotile in spackling and taping com be considered the aluminum analog of talc different materials. The analytical use of pounds. For example, chrysotile and Its biological activity is presently ur the optical microscope with its limited res kaolinite have similar crystal structures known. Quartz was a major constituent i olution allows large numbers of fibers to and consequently similar x-ray diffraction seven of the samples, and it was present i go undetected. The asbestos minerals, in patterns (2). However, electron micros two others in lesser concentrations. On ih particular, are usually too fine-grained to copy can be used to corroborate the re basis of the x-ray intensities of several me identify. In such circumstances, x-ray pow sults of x-ray diffraction and to directly jor quartz reflections, including those der diffraction may be used to identify and estimate the asbestos content of materials, 4.26, 3.34, and 1.817 A, the amount c quantify the individual crystalline phases since each mineral type has a characteristic quartz present is estimated to be greate present in the mixtures. morphology and electron diffraction pat than 10 percent in the seven samples. Opt In this investigation the amounts of as tern. cal and transmission electron microscop bestos present in spackling compounds was The results of the analyses of 15 con have shown essentially all the quartz to b determined by comparison with dilution sumer spackling and patching compounds of respirable size (< 5 Mm), Both quart standards (2). Binary systems of chrysotile, are given in Table 1. Three of the samples and talc can produce pulmonary fibros tremolile, and anthophyllite asbestos in were found to contain chrysotile asbestos, (silicosis, talcosis) (4). One sample cor plaster of Paris (CaS04 V*HtO) were pre and two others contained tremolite and an sisted largely of quartz with lesser amoun pared at varying dilutions on a weight-to- thophyllite asbestos. Talc was a major con of feldspar and anthophyllite. This may ii dicate that the source material for th product was an anthophyllite schist. Tt Table 2. Asbestos fiber concentrations during use of taping compounds containing asbestos miner combination of talc with some tremoli: als. Multiplication of the number of fibers per milliliter by 10* gives the number of fibers per cubic meter of air, an amount which may be inhaled during 1hour. An unstudied proportion of these fibers is retained and others are exhaled Current (interim) regulations of the OSHA prohibit concentra tions of 5 fibers per milliliter or more, longer than 5 Mm, as a time-weighted average for workers. Concentrations above 2 fibers per milliliter will be iHegal*after 1976. Current regulations set a ceil and quartz in another sample represents common mineral association typical < commercial talc ore bodies. Both optical and electron microscop ing concentration of 10fibers, longer than 5 pm, per milliliter of air. analyses showed that the asbestos fibc: Peak fiber concentration present in the samples ranged in lengt Operations Number of samples (fibers per milliliter) Mean Range from 0.25 to 8.0 Mm. Most were shorv than 5 Mm in length, which is respirab size, yet they were not generally detect< Pole-sanding (1 to 1.5 m) Background (2J m), same room Backgt ound (7.5 m), adjacent room Hand-sanding (1 to 1.5 m) Background (2J m), same room Background (4.5 m), adjacent room Dry mixing (1 to 1.5 m) Background (3 to 6 m), same room Background (5 to 10 m), adjacent room 10 3 2 11 2 2 2 3 ' 2 10.0 1.2 to 19.3 by optical microscopy. 8.6 3.5 to 19.8 The possibility of asbestos exposure du 4.8 0.7 to 8.8 ing home construction and repair is i 25..33 21..13 ttoo 126..39 dicated by the fact that drywall constm 4.3 1.5 to 7.1 tion workers are exposed to significa 47.2 - 35.4 to 59.0 concentrations of asbestos air co 5.8 0.5 to 13.1 lamination. Mineralgica! analyses of u 2.6 2.1 to 3.1 industrial drywall taping compounds she Sweeping floor (3 to 15 m) 15 M mutes after sweeping 35 Minutes after sweeping 1 41.4 1 26.4 that nine contain chrysotile, in concentr tions ranging from 5 to 12 percent (l weight) (Table 1). 3S2 SCIENCE, VOL. I Wc made measurements of peak as bestos air concentrations in the breathing zone of drywail construction workers uti lizing the standard technique of the Na tional Institute for Occupational Safety ing had ceased. Personal air samples were taken after sanding was completed. The floors of the rooms and halls were swept with a hand broom, which raised a cloud of d u st Fiber counts could not be made on fore, recommended that potentially toxic or hazardous materials be eliminated from consumer spackiing, taping, and wall patching compounds as soon as feasible. As an interim measure, labels should be re and Health (NIOSH) for asbestos sam- floor sweeping samples because the filters quired on such products stating their con pling and analysts (phase-contrast optical were too heavily laden to count. Samples tent and providing instructions for the use microscopy at x 430) (5). These air sam were taken after 15 minutes had elapsed, of appropriate respirator protection and ples were also analyzed by transmission and, in one case, 15 m away in another for safe cleanup procedures, including the electron microscopy. Air samples were room. Measurements showed that signifi disposal of waste materials. taken at various building jobs and job sites cant concentrations of asbestos remained A. N. Row, and included such operations as hand- suspended and could pervade living quar A. M. L a n g e * sanding pole-sanding mixing of dry ters for a considerable duration of time af I. J. ELIKOFF spackle with water and sweeping after ter sweeping had ceased. W. J. Nicholson completion of such operations. Personal In summary, our analysis of 15 repre Environmental Sciences , air samples were also taken in adjacent sentative samples of consumer spackiing, M ount Sinai School o f , areas; such air samples taken in the patching, and taping compoUundivsershiatys o f Sew ,YorkNew York 10029 "breathing zones of the operators, consti shown that five contained appreciable tute measurements of their exposure to amounts of chrysotiie or other asbestos Rcfcm cntH N an dust. Table 2 shows that airborne concentra tions of 5 fibers per milliliter of air or more longer than 5 Mm are common dur ing the use of drywail taping compounds containing asbestos. This exceeds the inter im legal standard excursion set by the Oc cupational Safety and Health Administra tion (OSHA) of the U.S. Department of Labor. The OSHA standard calls for an 8hour time-weighted average. The discon tinuous nature of these operations suggests that the 8-hour sampling is inappropriate in that peak exposures in the present in stance. under a range of application and cleanup operations greatly exceed the maximum allowable excursions of 10 fi bers per milliliter for a 15-minute interval. minerals. Many contained substantial amounts of quartz, talc, and other miner als with disease potential. Optical micro scopic analysis of personal air samples ob tained during the use of asbestos-contain ing compounds showed concentrations frequently in excess of the current oc cupational standard of 5 fibers per mil liliter, longer than 5 fum.Use of these ma terials in home repair work (for example, mixing, sanding, and cleanup) may expose the user (and other members of the house hold) to significant concentrations of as bestos. Even more important, none of the 25 in dustrial and consumer spackiing and tap ing compounds examined had warning la bels or indication that they might contain 1. M. Rom, W. L. Smith, W. Athlon, A m . Mineral. 53, 751 (1968k W A. Deer. R. A. Howie. J. Zust- man. Rock Forming Mmentis (Wiley. New York. 1962), voL 2, pp. 223-262; H. S. Yoder. Am.J.Sci.. Bowen volume ( 1952k P 569. 2. A. N. Rohl and A. M. Linger, Environ. Health Fenpect.%95 (Dec. 1974). 3. G. W. Brindley, in X-ray identification and Crystal Structures o f Clay Minera,G. W. Brindley, Ed. (Mineralogicat Society. London, 1951), pp. 32-75. 4. For example, te c M. Klein ft Id, J. M euitc, A. M. Longer. Environ. Res. 4, 132 (1973k M. Klcmfeld, J. Messitc. O. Kooyman, M. Zaki, Environ. Health 14,663 ( 1967k W. G B. G raham and E. A. G aentier. Med. Thorac. 2 2 .590( 1965k 5. S. G. Bayer. T. A. Brown, R. D. Zumwalde (Docu ment TR-84, U S . Department of Health. Educa tion, and Welfare, Public Health Service. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Cin cinnati, Ohio, 1975). 6. Supported by National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (N IEH S) Center grant ES 00928 and by New York City Health Research Council grant U-2331. One of us (A.M.L.) wishes to ac knowledge support under a Career Scientist Award from the N IEHS (grant ES 44812). We thank K. M artin, R. Klimcntidis, and P. Formby for technical assistance. These concentrations, determined by the toxic or hazardous materials, it is, there- 7 March 1975 NIOSH method, are only suggestive of the total asbestos exposure. Comparison of optical microscopic and electron micro scopic analyses of asbestos fiber counts of Water Wells as Possible Indicators of Tectonic Strain identical samples showed that, for every fi ber visible by light microscopy ( x400 mag Abstract. Coseismic water level changes associated with the Izu-Hanto-oki earthquake nification), there were from 200 to almost o f 9 M ay 974 were recorded in 59 among 95 observation wells located in the districts o f 1000 that could be seen only ^t electron Tokai and Kanto, Japn. The spatial distribution o f wells in which the groundwater level microscopic magnifications of x25,000. rose or fe ll is rather systematic. The areas in which these wells are located closely coin The background measurements in Table cide with the areas o f contraction and dilatation expected by the faulting. This strongly 2 suggest that in home repair work in suggests a possible correlation between the observed changes in groundwater level and volving sanding of spackiing compounds, the tectonic strain. The results may indicate that the water level o f wells is able to monitor members of the entire household or other at least acute coseismic strain changes. occupants of a building may inhale as bestos fibers. This could occur during mix A destructive earthquake occurred on Coseismic changes in groundwater level ing. sanding, or cleaning up of debris. Dur the southern tip of the Izu Peninsula, Ja caused by the earthquake were examined ing mixing of drywail taping compounds, pan, at 08;33 hours on 9 May 1974. The in 95 observation wells (5), located 50 to spackle is gradually poured from a bag seismologica! data (J)are2:10epkicmentferro,m34*the epicenter. These wells into a bucket of water and the mixture is 34'N, 138*48'E; depth of focus, 10 km; were drilled originally for the protection of stirred until the desired consistency is at and magnitude, 6.9. The focal mechanism groundwater resources and measurement tained. Fiber counts measured during mix of the earthquake was a quadrant type of land subsidence. Most of the wells range ing were found to be from 7 to 12 times with the maximum pressure axis in a near in depth from 100 to 300 m, the shallowest greater than the current occupational ly north-south and horizontal direction. and the deepest being 35 and 2150 m deep, standard. Detectable fiber concentrations Distinct earthquake faults appeared along respectively. Groundwater level changes were found in adjacent rooms during the preexisting, dexirat strike-slip faults were continuously monitored, in most 4-*k4 tmhiexirnogo,manadir faitbelersaswt e1r5emstiinllutseussapfetnedremd ixin- (t2re)n. ding in a northwest-southeast direction cNaaseksa,awsaithSorkekcoi rCdoe.rsTmheanpurafacctitcuarledsebnysittihve- IS A U G U ST 1975 553 4 .:~4