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

357421

Sigma-Aldrich

Tungsten, powder, ≤10 μm, ≥99.99% trace metals basis

267562

Sigma-Aldrich

Tungsten, wire, diam. 1.0 mm, 99.99% trace metals basis

356972

Sigma-Aldrich

Tungsten, wire, diam. 0.5 mm, ≥99.9% trace metals basis

267554

Sigma-Aldrich

Tungsten, wire, diam. 0.25 mm, ≥99.9% trace metals basis

357197

Sigma-Aldrich

Tungsten, foil, thickness 0.127 mm, ≥99.9% trace metals basis

357189

Sigma-Aldrich

Tungsten, foil, thickness 0.5 mm, ≥99.9% trace metals basis

GF59092465

Tungsten, foil, not light tested, 25x25mm, thickness 0.005mm, 99.95%

GF88575777

Tungsten, foil, not light tested, 100x100mm, thickness 0.015mm, 99.95%

GF21242056

Tungsten, wire, straight, 500mm, diameter 0.5mm, 99.9+%

GF71728881

Tungsten, wire, straight, 29mm, diameter 0.5mm, 99.9+%

GF67945034

Tungsten, wire, straight, 300mm, diameter 0.38mm, 99.9+%

GF21853773

Tungsten, foil, 5m coil, thickness 0.016mm, coil width .36mm, as rolled, 99.95%

GF80179410

Tungsten, mesh, 50x50mm, nominal aperture 0.15mm, wire diameter 0.02mm, 150 wires/inch, open area 75%, plain weave mesh, 99.95%

GF96225486

Tungsten, foil, light tested, 100x100mm, thickness 0.05mm, as rolled, 99.95%

GF73055606

Tungsten, foil, light tested, 150x300mm, thickness 0.025mm, as rolled, 99.95%

GF52373842

Tungsten, foil, 5m coil, thickness 0.04mm, coil width 0.7mm, as rolled, 99.95%

GF35718992

Tungsten, foil, not light tested, 50x50mm, thickness 0.0125mm, 99.95%

GF64262033

Tungsten, foil, light tested, 100x100mm, thickness 0.075mm, as rolled, 99.95%

GF09155774

Tungsten, foil, not light tested, 25x25mm, thickness 0.007mm, 99.95%

GF56310870

Tungsten, foil, not light tested, 25x25mm, thickness 0.009mm, 99.95%

GF53198354

Tungsten, foil, not light tested, 50x50mm, thickness 0.01mm, 99.95%

GF04424891

Tungsten, insulated wire, 50m, conductor diameter 0.025mm, insulation thickness 0.005mm, polyimide insulation, 99.9%

GF71405940

Tungsten, foil, not light tested, 25x25mm, thickness 0.01mm, 99.95%

GF46938000

Tungsten, foil, light tested, 25x25mm, thickness 0.02mm, 99.95%

GF17608529

Tungsten, foil, not light tested, 25x25mm, thickness 0.003mm, 99.95%

GF81744239

Tungsten, foil, 5m coil, thickness 0.076mm, coil width 1.5mm, as rolled, 99.95%

GF92871153

Tungsten, foil, light tested, 50x50mm, thickness 0.025mm, as rolled, 99.95%

GF14930456

Tungsten, foil, not light tested, 100x100mm, thickness 0.01mm, 99.95%

GF86574628

Tungsten, foil, 5m coil, thickness 0.025mm, coil width .7mm, as rolled, 99.95%

GF65635397

Tungsten, insulated wire, 20m, conductor diameter 0.025mm, insulation thickness 0.005mm, polyimide insulation, 99.9%