BIOVOLATILIZATION OF ANTIMONY AND SUDDEN-INFANT-DEATH-SYNDROME (SIDS)

1 The aerobic filamentous fungus S. brevicaulis IMI 17297 methylated a ntimony from Sb2O3 substrate, with the formation of gaseous trimethyla ntimony (TMA). No evidence was found for the generation of other gaseo us antimony compounds by this organism. 2 Biovolatilization of inorgan ic antimony was greatest during cultivation of the fungus on solid med ia at 25 degrees C, and occurred more readily from antimony (HI) subst rates than from antimony (V) substrates, 3 Under simulated cot environ ment conditions (CO2 enriched atmosphere, 33 degrees C) the fungus exh ibited an altered morphology and a reduced capability to volatilize in organic antimony from the pure compound. 4 No evidence of antimony bio volatilization from cot mattress PVC was found, unless antimony was re leased from PVC by heat treatment (at 80 or 100 degrees C). 5 These da ta suggest that normal cot environment conditions are non-optimal for volatilization of antimony by S. brevicaulis, and that Sb2O3 in cot ma ttress PVC is not bioavailable. 6 Cot mattress isolates of S. brevicau lis also volatilized antimony (not encapsulated by PVC), whereas those of other filamentous fungi (Penicillium spp,, Aspergillus niger, Aspe rgillus fumigatus, Alternaria sp.) and of bacteria (Bacillus spp,) did not. 7 The oxidation products of TMA may be the true determinants of toxicity for biogenic antimony gases produced in an aerobic environmen t.