Using Lichen Chemistry to Assess Airborne Tungsten and Cobalt in Fallon, Nevada |
| |
Authors: | Paul R Sheppard Robert J Speakman Gary Ridenour Mark L Witten |
| |
Institution: | (1) Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA;(2) Research Reactor Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA;(3) 625 W. Williams Ave., Suite B, Fallon, NV 89406, USA;(4) Department of Pediatrics, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA |
| |
Abstract: | This paper describes the use of lichen chemistry to assess airborne tungsten and cobalt in Fallon, Nevada, where a cluster
of childhood leukemia has been on going since 1997. Lichens and their rock substrates were collected from Rattlesnake Hill
within Fallon as well as from four different rock outcrops located north, east, south, and west of Fallon and at least 20 km
away from the town center. In the lichens themselves, W and Co are significantly higher within Fallon than in the combined
control site outside of Fallon. In the rock substrates of the lichens, no differences exist in W and Co. The W and Co differences
in lichens cannot be attributed to substrate geochemistry. Fallon is distinctive in west central Nevada for high airborne
W and Co, and given its cluster of childhood leukemia, it stands to reason that additional biomedical research is in order
to test directly the leukogenicity of combined airborne W and Co. |
| |
Keywords: | Fallon Nevada Childhood leukemia Tungsten Cobalt Lichen chemistry |
本文献已被 PubMed SpringerLink 等数据库收录! |
|