The threat of a sharp increase in mesothelioma cases around Dunn County, North Dakota isn't going away any time soon, despite a number of precautions have been taken in the past few years.
A recent study reported in 25 July 2011, the work of the Bureau of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), a detailed description of the risks posed by continued èriocit, fibrous mineral used in the production of gravel, mainly for roads in the western part of the State.
Èriocit is very similar to asbestos, the main cause of pleural mesothelioma, which attacks the lining of the lungs. Èriocit fibers, which become airborne, have already been linked to the alarmingly high incidence of mesothelioma in Cappadocia, Turkey, where it is found in homes, roads and surrounding mountains.
"A study in North Dakota was the concentration of èriocit was comparable or even higher than what was found in Turkey, '' said Haining Yang, Tel. (D), University of Hawaii Cancer Center, who led the study. "This seriously. Some studies have shown that èriocit may be more dangerous than asbestos. "
There are at least 12 Western States, where they found deposits of èriocit, but has the highest concentration of use in North Dakota. According to a study of èriocit is used in almost 30 years, covering approximately 300 miles of roads and parking areas in North Dakota.
This study in cooperation of scientists from the environmental protection agency, National Institute of environmental health sciences, University of Hawaii and the University of Iowa.
North Dakota Department of health and the EPA also made an 18-month study, which ended in October 2010, but it was inconclusive. Although he found no increase in mesothelioma cases related to èriocit, he noted that the long latency period for cancer (20-50 years) may hide their findings.
The conclusion that occupational exposure to road gravel, containing èriocit may lead to increased problems and chest area. The study also concluded that "the problems are consistent with those seen with commercial exposure to asbestos. '' he recommended that the impact of èriocit gravel dust will be reduced to a minimum, which is almost impossible during the dry summer days.
North Dakota Department of health published a recommendation three years ago to stop using gravel, containing èriocit, and the Department of transport stated that the requirement of public roads. After the study three different counties have agreed to adhere to the recommendations of the State. Killdeer city removed from several parking lots affected gravel, including at the baseball park and swimming pool.
"It is impossible to predict what will happen there. You can only hope for the best, "Jan said Tuesday in an interview with asbestos.com. "It's better sooner or later encounter a problem, or it could be a disaster ''.
This entry was posted on Tuesday, July 26, 2010 at 5: 26 pm and is filed under asbestos exposure, mesothelioma research. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS feed.
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