2011年4月6日
With efforts underway to ban lead-based ammunition as a potential health and environmental hazard, scientists are reporting new evidence that a prime alternative material for bullets - tungsten - may not be a good substitute. The report, which found that tungsten accumulates in major structures of the immune system in animals, appears inACS' journal Chemical Research in Toxicology.
Jose Centeno and colleagues explain that tungsten alloys have been introduced as a replacement for lead in bullets and other munitions. It resulted from concern that lead from spent ammunition could harm wildlife when it dissolves into water in the soil, streams, and lakes. Scientists thought that tungsten was relatively non-toxic, and a "green" replacement for lead. Recent studies suggested otherwise, and with small amounts of tungsten also used in some artificial hips and knees, Centeno's group decided to gather further information on tungsten.
由钨制成的子弹被认为是铅的“绿色”替代品，积累了动物，可能比科学家先前认为的更大的健康和环境危害。图片来源：Istock
他们在实验室小鼠的饮用水中添加了少量的钨化合物，用作此类研究中的人的替代物，并检查了器官和组织，以确切地查看钨的最终状态。钨的最高浓度是脾脏，免疫系统的主要成分之一，骨骼，中心或“骨髓”是免疫系统所有细胞的初始来源。他们说，需要进一步的研究来确定钨可能对免疫系统功能有什么影响（如果有）。