Mineral claimed to be cancer risk worse than asbestos scattered across western USA

Federal health officials are now warning that a mineral substance is present throughout the Western United States which causes cancer at rates hundreds of times greater than asbestos.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - The mineral is known as erionite and according to an advisory published by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, workers should take steps to protect themselves from exposure.

According to the alert, erionite is being blamed for "remarkably high" rates of mesothelioma in victims. The harmful mineral has already caused multiple mesothelioma outbreaks in Turkey were several villages were situated near large erionite deposits. The Turkish government found the concentrations to be so dangerous, that they relocated people who are living in dangerous areas.

Erionite is a mineral similar to asbestos, but appears to be much more dangerous. The mineral is formed by volcanic ash that has undergone weathering by water. In its natural state, it is harmless until stirred. Once disturbed, microscopic needle like fibers are turned up as dust. Anyone inhaling these fibers will be at increased risk of lung cancer.

Research has shown that erionite is hundreds of times more dangerous than asbestos and possibly the most toxic naturally occurring fibrous substance in existence.

Authorities are now concerned that as remote areas where erionite is naturally found are developed, workers and others will become increasingly exposed to the mineral fibers. Nearly all of these areas are in the western United States. 

Erionite can be found mostly throughout the Western states. Of particular concern are gravel roads throughout western North Dakota where erionite has been widely used. Researchers are still assessing the risk, and no cases of mesothelioma related to the gravel have yet been reported.

So far, the recommendations are purely voluntary, but as data is gathered is likely that exposure to the substance will eventually be regulated just as asbestos is today.

The advisory suggests that anyone working around erionite do what they can to determine if the mineral is present before starting work. It also suggests dust control and other reasonable measures be taken, including the use of respirators, showering and changing clothes after work, and leaving boots and other items at work sites to prevent bringing the cancers fibers home.

See the report and locations where enrionite occurs here.

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