New Mesothelioma Cause - Erionite
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- Created on Tuesday, 20 September 2011 14:18
A recent study has confirmed that numerous residents of North Dakota, and many potential other states in the U.S., may be at an increased risk for developing mesothelioma, but not as a result of asbestos exposure. It has long been known that exposure to asbestos fibers, whether directly, or as a result of working around asbestos containing products, can lead to long term health consequences, including the two most serious complications, which are lung cancer and mesothelioma. New research has uncovered that another substance, which is similar to asbestos, can be linked to causing mesothelioma.
Erionite is a fibrous mineral that comes from a family of minerals called “zeolites.” Erionite is typically found as fibrous masses in volcanic ash that has been weathered by rain or ground water. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erionite). This typically forms in the hollows of rock formations. Erionite has long been known as a group 1 carcinogen (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_IARC_Group_1_carcinogens), and though it is similar to asbestos fibers, it has not been regulated by the U.S. Envrionmental Protection Agency as an asbestos fiber. In part based on the lax restrictions, Erionite was included in as much as 300 miles of roadway gravel used in North Dakota. (http://www.businessweek.com/lifestyle/content/healthday/647305.html)
Erionite had long been connected to mesothelioma based on research performed in the Central Anatolia region of Turkey. Scientists returning to those findings, using new statistical analysis, have confirmed the findings that Erionite exposure can cause mesothelioma, in the same manner as asbestos fibers.
This new data should lead to a debate at the E.P.A., and in state houses across the United States where a debate should be had regarding the use of erionite in road projects. It has long been understood by researchers that asbestos in products can become airborne due to grinding, crushing, or general decay of the product, among other methods. Using erionite as a gravel addition to roadways virtually assures that grinding and crushing will occur, as vehicles travel over the surface. The air movement created by the moving vehicle will also ensure that the newly freed cancer causing erionite fibers will travel. This has the potential to be a monumental health threat not just to those who travel on the roadways where erionite has been used, but to those individuals and families who live near roadways, who work upon the roadways, or at bus stops where children may congregate to wait and suffer prolonged exposure to fibers. As has now been determined, this exposure can result in a latency period of many decades, like asbestos, but can nevertheless result in incurable diseases like lung cancer and mesothelioma. As a result of this study, the E.P.A. needs to examine this issue again, to determine if erionite use should be strictly regulated like asbestos use, to minimize the risk of exposure to unprotected citizens who may be unaware of the risk. To contact your local E.P.A. office to discuss this issue, you may click here: http://www.epa.gov/regional/pdf/2010_senior_regional_contacts.pdf)
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