ERIONITE IN THE USA

Zeolite group minerals have many useful physical and chemical properties and are widely used in industry. Erionite also belongs to the zeolite group and it has many useful properties; however, it is extremely carcinogenic, classified as “human health hazard”. Erionite, like asbestos, causes mesothelioma, a deadly disease, which has no cure.

Erionite carcinogenicity first came into the focus of attention from Central Anatolia, Turkey. Mesothelioma is a rare cancer, but it was found in excess amount in three villages in the Cappadocia region of Turkey, in late 1970's. Since then, many studies have been performed by medical scientists and geologists. Our involvement with the erionite in Turkey started in 1990’s. Since the 2000’s, we investigated erionite in the western part of the United States covering 8 states (Arizona, California, Nevada, Oregon, Idaho, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Montana), which we will discuss.

This is the prime time to investigate the erionite in USA systematically and quantitatively characterize it. The first phase of the study will cover the quantitative characterization of the erionite in 13 states of USA with known erionite occurrences and comparing the data with the mesothelioma-inducing erionite from Cappadocia region of Turkey. The results of this study will be a guideline for future studies for erionite-mesothelioma relationships and serve as standard for regulatory agencies. This platform will create an excellent opportunity for collaboration among research scientists.