A review of tungsten: from environmental obscurity to scrutiny.

A review of tungsten: from environmental obscurity to scrutiny.

Journal of hazardous materials (2005-12-14)

A Koutsospyros, W Braida, C Christodoulatos, D Dermatas, N Strigul

ABSTRACT

Since its discovery, tungsten, a transition element of Group VIb of the Periodic Table of Elements, and its compounds have been considered environmentally benign. Its presence in biological and drinking water samples in Fallon, Nevada, an acute lymphocytic leukemia cluster struck community has alarmed public health, environmental and regulatory agencies. Tungsten, a metal of extraordinary properties that make it hardly substitutable, is considered an essential commodity with a wide variety of uses stretching from household necessities to highly specialized applications. This work is undertaken in order to explore aspects of environmental behavior of tungsten and its compounds. Occurrence data in terrestrial, atmospheric, aquatic and biotic systems are presented. Various aspects of environmental chemistry, fate transport across environmental interfaces and toxicology are discussed with the objective of identifying knowledge gaps and outlining directions for future research.

MATERIALS

Product Number

Brand

Product Description

267511

Sigma-Aldrich

Tungsten, powder, 12 μm, 99.9% trace metals basis

267546

Sigma-Aldrich

Tungsten, foil, thickness 0.25 mm, ≥99.9% trace metals basis

GF69782349

Tungsten, insulated wire, 5m, conductor diameter 0.075mm, insulation thickness 0.02mm, PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) insulation, 99.9%

GF91891266

Tungsten, insulated wire, 10m, conductor diameter 0.05mm, insulation thickness 0.008mm, polyimide insulation, 99.9%

GF18063783

Tungsten, microfoil, disks, 10mm, thinness 0.25μm, specific density 474μg/cm², permanent mylar 3.5μm support, 99.95%

GF14483088

Tungsten, insulated wire, 0.2m, conductor diameter 0.015mm, insulation thickness 0.002mm, polyimide insulation, 99.9%

GF31324384

Tungsten, foil, 5m coil, thickness 0.025mm, coil width 1mm, as rolled, 99.95%

GF21637896

Tungsten, insulated wire, 20m, conductor diameter 0.05mm, insulation thickness 0.008mm, polyimide insulation, 99.9%

GF35250005

Tungsten, foil, not light tested, 50x50mm, thickness 0.004mm, 99.95%

GF28186072

Tungsten, foil, light tested, 150x150mm, thickness 0.05mm, as rolled, 99.95%

GF21631250

Tungsten, lump, 200g, max. size 5mm

GF38958250

Tungsten, insulated wire, 2m, conductor diameter 0.075mm, insulation thickness 0.02mm, PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) insulation, 99.9%

GF84684808

Tungsten, rod, 200mm, diameter 6.35mm, centerless ground, 99.95%

GF41314092

Tungsten, foil, light tested, 50x50mm, thickness 0.075mm, as rolled, 99.95%

GF06146805

Tungsten, foil, not light tested, 25x25mm, thickness 0.004mm, 99.95%

GF79060103

Tungsten, insulated wire, 2m, conductor diameter 0.025mm, insulation thickness 0.005mm, polyimide insulation, 99.9%

GF52817878

Tungsten, foil, 30mm disks, thickness 1.0mm, as rolled, 99.95%

GF32754595

Tungsten, foil, light tested, 150x150mm, thickness 0.075mm, as rolled, 99.95%

GF79938039

Tungsten, lump, 50g, max. size 5mm

GF52385799

Tungsten, insulated wire, 1m, conductor diameter 0.015mm, insulation thickness 0.002mm, polyimide insulation, 99.9%

GF90717666

Tungsten, microfoil, disks, 10mm, thinness 0.05μm, specific density 96μg/cm², permanent mylar 3.5μm support, 99.95%

GF75672254

Tungsten, insulated wire, 2m, conductor diameter 0.0125mm, insulation thickness 0.0035mm, polyimide insulation, 99.9%

GF11784449

Tungsten, foil, light tested, 150x150mm, thickness 0.025mm, as rolled, 99.95%

GF73441199

Tungsten, microfoil, disks, 10mm, thinness 0.1μm, specific density 182μg/cm², permanent mylar 3.5μm support, 99.95%

GF95973216

Tungsten, wire reel, 0.5m, diameter 1.0mm, clean, 99.95%

GF24694049

Tungsten, insulated wire, 2m, conductor diameter 0.015mm, insulation thickness 0.002mm, polyimide insulation, 99.9%

GF10563342

Tungsten, foil, not light tested, 50x50mm, thickness 0.007mm, 99.95%

GF86719461

Tungsten, foil, not light tested, 25x25mm, thickness 0.006mm, 99.95%

GF78600764

Tungsten, rod, 100mm, diameter 5.0mm, centerless ground, 99.95%

GF27394702

Tungsten, mesh, 100x100mm, nominal aperture 0.2mm, wire diameter 0.05mm, 100 wires/inch, open area 64%, plain weave mesh, 99.95%