ND ERIONITE RESEARCH TIMELINE
2) Spring 2005, UND Geology Dept. spring banquet presentation by USGS gave a “carcinogen” alert about erionite.
3) One week later, reported to NDGS that ND erionite may be carcinogenic. Concern because of caprock mining in prior years.
4) NDGS then reported to ND Department of Health (NDDH).
5) In 2004, ND Linton Ash samples reported by California XRD consulting firm to contain erionite.
6) Summer-Fall 2005, Linton Ash samples evaluated by ND EERC using XRD and petrographically by UND Geology Dept. The report from the California firm was a false positive.
7) April 2006, NDGS samples of road metal and Killdeer flanking gravels sent to UND EERC for erionite check. Results positive.
8) June 2006, ND Department of Health contacted EPA
9) Summer 2006, NDGS developed map showing 7-mile erionite avoidance zone around Killdeer Mountains based on slope wash gravel samples.
10) Fall 2006, EPA took their own road metal samples, determining presence of respirable erionite.
11) Fall 2006, GSA poster presentation. Viewer mentioned “familial link” of all the Turkey erionite victims, questioning the danger from erionite to the general public.
12) 2008, NDSU begins mineralogic study of ND erionite samples
13) UND Geology Dept., UND EERC, NDGS, NDDH each respond to numerous media, industry, and researcher queries
14) Oct 2010, EPA and ND Department of Health complete human study “Radiographic Changes Associated with Exposure to Erionite in Road Gravel in North Dakota”.
15) Spring and summer 2011, Media reports sensationalize a future ND erionite “epidemic”.