Mesothelioma lung cancer is usually associated with asbestos exposure.In fact there are many other risk factors that cause mesothelioma cancer.One of them is the erionite.Erionite is a naturally occurring fibrous mineral that belongs to a group of minerals called zeolites.Zeolites are hydrated aluminosilicates of the alkaline and alkaline-earth metals.Erionite was used in the past as a noble metal-impregnated catalyst in a hydrocarbon-cracking process.It was studied for use in fertilizers and to control odors in livestock production, because of its ability to selectively adsorb molecules from air or liquids.In many countries erionite blocks were used (and may be are still used) as building material or in stucco pastes and whitewash.Erionite was mentioned for the first time as a mesothelioma lung cancer risk factor in 1975, when Turkish government presented a study that uncovered a high incidence of a rare malignant mesothelioma in lung tissues of people in certain small villages in the Cappadocia area in Turkey's central mountainous region.In two small villages the mesothelioma lung cancer accounted for 43% of the deaths during 23 years period of study.Erionite fibers were found in biopsies of lungs of the mesothelioma cancer afflicted people.Comparing this to a 9.7% rate of death from this disease among asbestos insulation installers shows how anomalous this condition was.Further studies showed erionite causes similar diseases in laboratory animals.When researchers at Mt.Sinai Hospital injected rats with the same dosage of erionite that they used for asbestos, the rats didn't live long enough to get mesothelioma cancer.At a much-reduced dose, the rats did get cancer.Erionite is probably the most toxic known mineral - a milligram of fibers in the lungs is lethal.Today erionite is considered so hazardous that the EPA requires any one who intends to manufacture, import or process any article containing erionite to notify the E.P.A.90 days in advance.This gives the EPA a chance to review, limit or prohibit that activity.Erionite is no longer mined or marketed for commercial purposes.Although other natural zeolites have many commercial uses (pet litter, soil conditioners, animal feed, waste-water treatment, gas absorbents, etc.) So potential occupational exposure to erionite occurs during the production and mining of other zeolites.And there are questions..Are there other mineralogical hazards like erionite and asbestos?Should we expected mesothelioma lung cancer increases not only from asbestos exposure after another 20 - 30 years?

The set of silicate minerals which is commercially used for their desirable physical properties is known as Asbestos.The word asbestos comes from the ancient Greek meaning "unquenchable" or "inextinguishable".The term asbestos is traceable to Roman naturalist Pliny the Elder's manuscript Natural History, and his use of the term asbestinon, meaning "unquenchable".Asbestos became increasingly popular among manufacturers and builders in the late 19th century because of its sound absorption, average tensile strength, its resistance to fire, heat, electrical and chemical damage, and affordability.It was used in such applications as electrical insulation for hot plate wiring and in building insulation.When asbestos is used for its resistance to fire or heat, the fibers are often mixed with cement (resulting in fiber cement) or woven into fabric or mats.Breathing in asbestos fibers can cause asbestos, pleural disease, lung cancer and mesothelioma.The risk of contracting these diseases increases with the number of fibers inhaled and the risk of lung cancer from inhaling asbestos fibers is also greater if you smoke.The symptoms of these diseases do not usually appear until about 20 to 30 years after the first exposure to asbestos.Where to find asbestos.Some of areas in your home where you may find asbestos include..Eaves, soffits, gutters and rainwater fall pipes.Fire blankets.Garage and shed roofs.Linings for walls, ceilings and doors.Insulation panels in some storage heaters.Bath panels.Central heating flues.Loose asbestos packing between floors and in partition walls.Floor tiles.How to remove asbestos.If you find asbestos in your environment then you have two options first, you can remove it by yourself and second you can hire the expert for it.If you are going to do it by yourself then u need following precautions.Wear a dust mask specifically approved for asbestos.Wear a disposable overall.Keep other people away from the working area.Wet the material well with water containing a little washing up liquid; check that there is no potential for contact with electricity first.Always remove whole sheets or components; do not break them up.Place any loose or small items in strong plastic labeled bags and seal.Clean up all dust with a damp cloth and then seal it in a plastic bag whilst damp.Do not use a domestic vacuum cleaner as dust may pass through the filter.All asbestos waste should be double bagged or double wrapped in heavy duty plastic.If you have removed asbestos from your home yourself, it will need to be disposed of separately from your normal household waste.