Role of pyrite in formation of hydroxyl radicals in coal
The harmful effects from inhalation of coal dust are welldocumented. The prevalence of lung disease varies by mining region and may, in part, be related to regional differences in the bioavailable iron content of the coal. Pyrite (FeS2), a common inorganic component in coal, has been shown to spontaneously form reactive oxygen species (ROS) (, hydrogen peroxide and hydroxyl radicals) and