title: Chrysotile asbestos is progressively converted into a non-fibrous amorphous material by the chelating action of lichen metabolites.
abstract: A natural deactivation of chrysotile asbestos occurs on serpentinite rocks where lichens selectively grow on the fibres and secrete metabolites, including oxalic acid, which, in the long term, turn the fibres into a non-toxic amorphous material.
authors.affiliation: University of Torino and Interdepartmental Centre G. Scansetti for Studies on Asbestos and Other Toxic Particulates, Italy.
authors.forename: Sergio E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Favero-Longo
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Turci
authors.forename: Maura
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tomatis
authors.forename: Daniele
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Castelli
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bonfante
authors.forename: Michael F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Hochella
authors.forename: Rosanna
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Piervittori
authors.forename: Bice
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Fubini
mesh_terms: D017632:Asbestos, Serpentine / Q000737:chemistry*; D002614:Chelating Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D008011:Lichens / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D019815:Oxalic Acid / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D017632:Asbestos, Serpentine; D002614:Chelating Agents; D012822:Silicon Dioxide; D019815:Oxalic Acid