The combination of oxalic acid with power ultrasound fully degrades chrysotile asbestos fibres

The simultaneous action of power ultrasound and oxalic acid, as a chelating agent, rapidly converts chrysotile asbestos into water soluble material and a non-asbestos debris, not classifiable as hazardous under worldwide safety regulations. Asbestos is a general term encompassing six different fibrous silicates–chrysotile, amosite, crocidolite, tremolite, anthophyllite and actinolite. Asbestos is carcinogenic to humans and consequently is regulated or banned in may countries, thus asbestos in the environment has become an important issue. Reports the synergistic effect of power ultrasound (US) to break down chrysotile fibres, a method commonly used to decontaminate waste waters. Chrysotile asbestos is the most widespread asbestos type in the world. Chrysotile mineralization occurs in serpentine bodies, where asbestos fibres are often intergrown with other non-asbestos serpentine polymorphs (antigorite, lizardite, polygonal serpentine). Reports a commercial sample of chrysotile asbestos, extracted from the largest disused asbestos mine in Western Europe (Balangero, Italy) and sonicated in a novel type of cup-horn ultrasound US-reactor.