Dissolution mechanism of montmorillonite in synthetic lung fluidseffect of organic ligands and biodurability

Résumé

Over the course of our lives we are exposed to airborne particulate matter in the workplace, home, and environment that results in the deposition of millions of particles in the lung. These exposures may result in disease if they are significant enough. The potential for harmful exposure depends in part on the inhalable particle¿s biodurability. In this study, geochemical methods have been used to characterize the behavior of inhaled particles in the body. As a case of study, we have used montmorillonite, since it constitutes an important part of the fine and ultrafine fraction in soils and sediments. Therefore, it is one of the main compounds present in natural dust.