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The surface reactivity and implied toxicity of ash produced from sugarcane burning

Le Blond, JS; Tomatis, M; Horwell, CJ; Dunster, C; Murphy, F; Corazzari, I; Grendene, F; Turci, F; Gazzano, E; Ghigo, D; Williamson, BJ; Oppenheimer, C; Fubini, B

Authors

JS Le Blond

M Tomatis

C Dunster

F Murphy

I Corazzari

F Grendene

F Turci

E Gazzano

D Ghigo

BJ Williamson

C Oppenheimer

B Fubini



Abstract

Sugarcane combustion generates fine-grained particulate that has the potential to be a respiratory health hazard because of its grain size and composition. In particular, conversion of amorphous silica to crystalline forms during burning may provide a source of toxic particles. In this study, we investigate and evaluate the toxicity of sugarcane ash and bagasse ash formed from commercial sugarcane burning. Experiments to determine the main physicochemical properties of the particles, known to modulate biological responses, were combined with cellular toxicity assays to gain insight into the potential reactions that could occur at the particle-lung interface following inhalation. The specific surface area of the particles ranged from ∼16 to 90 m2 g−1. The samples did not generate hydroxyl- or carbon-centered radicals in cell-free tests. However, all samples were able to ‘scavenge’ an external source of hydroxyl radicals, which may be indicative of defects on the particle surfaces that may interfere with cellular processes. The bioavailable iron on the particle surfaces was low (2–3 μmol m−2), indicating a low propensity for iron-catalyzed radical generation. The sample surfaces were all hydrophilic and slightly acidic, which may be due to the presence of oxygenated (functional) groups. The ability to cause oxidative stress and membrane rupture in red blood cells (hemolysis) was found to be low, indicating that the samples are not toxic by the mechanisms tested. Cytotoxicity of sugarcane ash was observed, by measuring lactate dehydrogenase release, after incubation of relatively high concentrations of ash with murine alveolar macrophage cells. All samples induced nitrogen oxide release (although only at very high concentrations) and reactive oxygen species generation (although the bagasse samples were less potent than the sugarcane ash). However, the samples induced significantly lower cytotoxic effects and nitrogen oxide generation when compared with the positive control. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 29: 503–516, 2014.

Citation

Le Blond, J., Tomatis, M., Horwell, C., Dunster, C., Murphy, F., Corazzari, I., …Fubini, B. (2012). The surface reactivity and implied toxicity of ash produced from sugarcane burning. Environmental Toxicology, 29(5), 503-516. https://doi.org/10.1002/tox.21776

Journal Article Type Article
Publication Date 2012-03
Deposit Date Nov 27, 2012
Journal Environmental Toxicology
Print ISSN 1520-4081
Publisher Wiley
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 29
Issue 5
Pages 503-516
DOI https://doi.org/10.1002/tox.21776
Keywords Sugarcane ash, Particulate, Toxicity, Health hazard.
Public URL https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1500012