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Study Says USGS Underestimates Mesothelioma-Causing Erionite

The U.S. Geological Survey may have underestimated the predominance of the mineral which has been related to deadly mesothelioma cancer.

Mesothelioma is really a uncommon but dangerous cancer for the membranes around organs. It's regularly linked to exposure to asbestos but, increasingly, scientists say some cases can be blamed on the mineral erionite. Like asbestos, erionite occurs naturally within the soil. It's a volcanic rock that is primarily present in the U.S. in western states. Erionite features a chemical composition similar to asbestos and, like asbestos, can become a mesothelioma threat when airborne.

The newest study on the potential erionite/mesothelioma connection, only just published in Environmental Geochemistry and Health, says it's time for the U.S. to get a better handle on exactly where erionite is situated. The authors contend that the 1996 U.S. Geological Survey report on erionite in the U.S. is incomplete because it focuses on just one type of geologic setting where erionite can occur. Their report seeks to update and enlarge the erionite occurrence database, in light of new erionite findings, in the hope of furthering research and reducing mesothelioma risk for people in these regions.

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�Epidemiology, public health, and natural hazard studies can incorporate this information on known erionite occurrences and their characteristics,� write the authors, who say that erionite is regularly found in areas where there are large deposits of basalt or tuffaceous sedimentary rock. The article concludes, �By recognizing that only specific geologic settings and formations are hosts to erionite, this data should be considered in developing management plans designed to shield the public.�

So far, erionite has been present in Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. The mesothelioma threat is considered to be particularly concerning in North Dakota where erionite has been extensively used in road gravel.

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