Mesothelioma Study Examines the Effects of Erionite Exposure

According to state health officials of North Dakota, enough volunteers have signed up to study the health hazards of erionite, an asbestos-like mineral.

Terry O’Clair who is in charge of the air quality division for the state Health Department, said 33 people signed up for the study, which will determine whether or not they have been affected by long-term erionite exposure.

Initially, state health officials and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) had hoped for 50 people to sign up for the study to receive chest X-rays and CT scans, which will be sent to a team of researchers at the University of Cincinnati.

“Our target number was at least 42, but with 33, it’s still enough to go forward,” O’Clair said. In addition to receiving chest X-rays and CT scans, each volunteer will be given $100 for participating in the study.

Due to its resemblance to asbestos, one of the primary mesothelioma causes, many believe exposure to erionite may lead to the development of mesothelioma. Ed Murphy, a geologist in North Dakota, first notified the EPA about the erionite in western North Dakota three years ago after learning the mineral was being linked to mesothelioma in Turkey.

Although the erionite found in North Dakota is slightly different than erionite found in Turkey, health officials are still concerned about the possible connection between exposure and mesothelioma. In Turkey, erionite is considered to be a carcinogen.

The EPA says erionite is found in at least 12 states in the West, but not at the same levels found in western North Dakota where the mineral has been used on many rural roads. The EPA has also stated that erionite has been shown to cause cancer in lab rats, but the mineral remains unregulated by the agency.

Murphy has volunteered for the study and stated, “We need to see what the health effects are. The only way to find out is through these types of tests.”

Those who were targeted for the study were individuals who likely had long-term exposure to erionite, including gravel pit workers, truck drivers and maintenance crews.

Additional information about mesothelioma may be found through the Mesothelioma Cancer Center.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, June 17th, 2009 at 10:01 am and is filed under Mesothelioma, North Dakota. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS feed. Responses are currently closed, but you trackback from your own site.