"Jangchub" wrote in message
...
The EPA:

http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/lrpcd/wm/projects/135367.htm

Release of Heavy Metals from Ironite®

Ironite® is a common fertilizer made from mine tailings available at
any lawn and garden store. The presence of heavy metals in Ironite®
has resulted in its banning in Canada and lawsuits in the United
States due to the potential release of heavy metals, most notably
arsenic and lead. Bioavailable arsenic released from Ironite® is
dependent on its mineralogical form. Previous work sponsored by the
producer of Ironite® identified the arsenic bearing phase as
arsenopyrite with the conclusion that arsenic in that form does not
pose an ecological threat. However, a closer look with EXAFS has
identified the arsenic phase within Ironite® as scorodite-like.
Scorodite is more soluble than arsenopyrite, in fact, the dissolved
arsenic released from scorodite can exceed the US drinking water
standard. In addition to the data collected at Argonne National Labs
in February 2005 that identified arsenate sorbed to iron oxides as the
dominant arsenic bearing phase, secondary identification techniques
are currently being used to confirm this finding such as
thermogravimetric analysis and Mössbauer spectroscopy.

Where is the site listing the people, animals or plants injured or killed by
the use of this product? I Googled for 15 minutes and couldn't find
anything. Not even a cancer cluster around sites where it's used.


Contacts:

Kirk Scheckel, 513/487-2865
Aaron Williams, 513/487-2878
Christopher Impelliteri, 513/487-2872
Thabet Tolaymat, 513/487-2860
James Ryan, 513/569-7653
(EIMS#135367)