The role of chemical interactions between thorium, cerium, and lanthanum in lymphocyte toxicity.

Monica S Oliveira, Isabelle M Duarte, Amanda V Paiva, Samira N Yunes, Carlos E Almeida, Rita C Mattos, Paula N Sarcinelli

Index: Arch. Environ. Occup. Health 69(1) , 40-5, (2014)

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Abstract

Thorium, cerium, and lanthanum are metals present in several types of minerals, the most common of which is monazite. Cerium and lanthanum are elements in the lanthanides series. Thorium, an actinide metal, is a hazardous element due to its radioactive characteristics. There is a lack of information describing the possible chemical interactions among these elements and the effects they may have on humans. Toxicological analyses were performed using cell viability, cell death, and DNA damage assays. Chemical interactions were evaluated based on the Loewe additivity model. The results indicate that thorium and cerium individually have no toxic effects on lymphocytes. However, thorium associated with lanthanum increases the toxicity of this element, thereby reducing the viability of lymphocytes at low concentrations of metals in the mixture.