ENVIRONMENTAL MINERALOGY FROM A TO Z WITH I IN THE MIDDLE: A BACKWARD LOOK TO THE FUTURE

Because the theme of this session is “forward to the past,” it seems appropriate to take a “backward look” at environmental mineralogy to explore its future. The asbestos issue (RiM 28) could be considered as one of the best first examples of environmental mineralogy. As the issue emerged in the 1970’s, a mineralogist pointed out there were different types of asbestos and some were less harmful. Research continues in this field, and others have shown there is a difference in the biodurability of asbestos types in the lungs, while others consider the asbestos transformations in situ. We also know, based on animal studies, amphibole fragments, which expose (110), show less adverse health effects than amphibole fibers, which expose (100). Possibility the reactivity of the faces differ. Zeolites (RiMG 45), on the other end of the alphabet, play a major role in the history of environmental mineralogy, first being used in the late 1950’s to remove radioactive Cs and Sr from nuclear waste. Research continues in zeolite applications in the nuclear waste industry as well as for treating waters containing various heavy metals. Crystallography also plays an important role in determining a material’s interaction in humans. In the mid-1950’s, in an attempt to alleviate the symptoms of morning sickness, drug companies synthesized thalidomide. The right-handed enantiomer alleviated pain, while the left-handed enantiomer unfortunately caused birth defects. The last example is chemical in nature, and predates the above by centuries. Goiter, a disease almost unheard of in developed nations, still may affects over 25% of the world’s population. It results from an iodine deficiency and affects the thyroid gland. The deficiency often relates to food grown on iodine-poor soils. The outward appearance is a swollen neck, but there are many other possible symptoms (e.g., lower IQ, stunted growth, stillbirths). The disease was wiped out in developing countries in the early-1900’s by addition of iodine to table salt; however, another treatment of the disease dates back to 1600 BC, when the Chinese added burnt sponges to their diet. They did not realize the sponges contained iodine incorporated from seawater. It should be clear that mineralogy could play a central role in current human health issues, if we pursue it.