QUANTITATIVE MINERALOGY OF "ERIONITE-MESO" VILLAGES OF CAPPADOCIA, TURKEY: "ORIGINAL-OLD" VS. "RELOCATED-NEW" SARIHIDIR VILLAGES

The present paper is one of the most comprehensive mineralogical study performed on erionite, which is the most carcinogenic mineral known and classified as a Group-I human carcinogen. Sarihidir village is known among the “meso” villages in Cappadocia, Turkey and has an extremely high rate of mesothelioma, owing to contamination with erionite. The village was relocated across the Kizilirmak River due to frequent flooding problems. Samples were obtained and compared both the “old-original” and “new-relocated” Sarihidir villages. Over 60 samples were obtained representing building material of both “meso” and “non-meso” houses. Quantitative mineralogy using refined cell parameters has been performed on these samples include erionite (a = 13.226(2) Å, c = 15.054(3), V = 2280.6(9) ų_, R = Si/(Si+Al) = 0.794); clinoptilolite (a= 17.684(4) Å, b = 17.911(4) Å, c = 7.4050(19) Å, ƒ" = 116.117(18)°, V = 2104.9(10) ų); chabazite (a = 13.750(2) Å, c = 14.853(2) Å, R = Si/(Si+Al) of 0.769); albite (a = 8.1786(14) Å, b = 12.883(3) Å, c = 7.1183(13) Å, ƒÑ= 93.45(3)°, ƒ"= 116.222(14)°, ƒ×= 90.089(19)°, V = 671.3(2) ų); and jarosite (a = 7.2900(9) Å and c = 17.210(3) Å). Erionite cell parameters of the Sarihidir village are similar to those erionite from Rome, Oregon, USA and both are erionite. Erionite is present in most samples collected from the “meso” and “non-meso” houses. Erionite is also observed in all garden wall rocks, and most importantly, the public primary school and coffee house - the daily meeting places of the “new” Sarihidir village. The study shows that the “new” Sarihidir villagers are still being exposed to erionite, although presumably in smaller quantities than at the “old” Sarihidir village. Thus, presently the “new” Sarihidir village poses a danger to its inhabitants, and villagers should be informed and preventive measures taken.