Product stewardship in wollastonite production.
In July 2002, NYCO Minerals, Inc., discovered a heretofore unknown contaminant in its wollastonite ore. The contaminant was first believed to be tremolite asbestos. Immediate efforts were made to eliminate this material. Additional studies were initiated to fully characterize the contaminant and its distribution in the ore body. Subsequent study by NYCO and their consultants led to the identification of the contaminant as a transition material (TM) intermediate between tremolite and talc. In vitro dissolution rate measurements indicated that the TM dissolved much more rapidly than tremolite asbestos. This article provides background information on wollastonite mineralogy and NYCO's product stewardship program (PSP). At present, NYCO Minerals uses selective mining to control the trace levels of TM in the ore and finished product verified by periodic monitoring of workplace air and finished product.
Everest Consulting Associates, Cranbury, New Jersey, USA. postsf@aol.com
L Daniel
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Maxim
Ron
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Niebo
Salvatore
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Larosa
Brad
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Johnston
Kimberly
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Allison
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McConnell
D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor; D017610:Calcium Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D008906:Mining; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D017640:Silicates / Q000737:chemistry*
D017610:Calcium Compounds; D017640:Silicates; C031293:calcium silicate