Dispersion of Natural Airborne TiO 2 Fibres in Excavation Activity as a Potential Environmental and Human Health Risk

Sebastiano La Maestra, Francesco D’Agostini, Elisa Sanguineti, Adrián Yus González, Samanta Annis, Gaia M. Militello, Giovanni Parisi, Alberto Scuderi and Laura Gaggero
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Sebastiano La Maestra: Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy
Francesco D’Agostini: Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy
Elisa Sanguineti: Department of Earth, Environment and Life Sciences, University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy
Adrián Yus González: Department of Earth, Environment and Life Sciences, University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy
Samanta Annis: Department of Earth, Environment and Life Sciences, University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy
Gaia M. Militello: Department of Earth, Environment and Life Sciences, University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy
Giovanni Parisi: COCIV, Via Renata Bianchi 40, I-16152 Genova, Italy
Alberto Scuderi: COCIV, Via Renata Bianchi 40, I-16152 Genova, Italy
Laura Gaggero: Department of Earth, Environment and Life Sciences, University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 12, 1-13

Abstract: Titanium is the ninth most abundant element, approximately 0.7% of the Earth crust. It is used worldwide in large quantities for various applications. The IARC includes TiO 2 in Group 2B as possibly carcinogenic to humans suggesting that pathological effects correlate to particle size and shape. This study case quantifies the release of natural TiO 2 particles during mining activity, involving meta-basalt and shale lithologies in the Ligurian Alps, during excavation of the Terzo Valico as part of the Trans-European Transport Network. Type, width, length, aspect ratio, and concentration of TiO 2 particles in needle habit were determined. The different samplings have reported that airborne concentrations in meta-basalt were 4.21 ff/L and 23.94 ff/L in shale. In both cases, the concentration never exceeds the limits established by various organizations for workers health protection. Nevertheless, TiO 2 elongated particles, recognized as rutile, showed the dimensional characteristic of fibres, as reported by WHO. These fibres deserve particular attention because they can reach the alveolar space and trigger inflammation and chronic diseases. The results indicate that monitoring the TiO 2 in both working environments and Ti-rich geological formations, associated with epidemiological studies, may represent a useful tool to determine the exposure risk of workers and the general population.

Keywords: titanium dioxide; fibres; tunnel excavation; human health risk; inhalation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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