Asbestos and Other Hazardous Fibrous Minerals: Potential Exposure Pathways and Associated Health Risks

Terri-Ann Berry, Elena Belluso, Ruggero Vigliaturo, Reto Gieré, Edward A. Emmett, Joseph R. Testa, Gregor Steinhorn and Shannon L. Wallis
Additional contact information
Terri-Ann Berry: Environmental Solutions Research Centre, Unitec Institute of Technology, Auckland 1025, New Zealand
Elena Belluso: Department of Earth Sciences and Interdepartmental Centre for Studies on Asbestos and Other Toxic Particulates, University of Torino, 10124 Turin, Italy
Ruggero Vigliaturo: Department of Earth Sciences and Interdepartmental Centre for Studies on Asbestos and Other Toxic Particulates, University of Torino, 10124 Turin, Italy
Reto Gieré: Earth and Environmental Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
Edward A. Emmett: Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
Joseph R. Testa: Cancer Signaling and Epigenetics Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA 19111, USA
Gregor Steinhorn: Environmental Solutions Research Centre, Unitec Institute of Technology, Auckland 1025, New Zealand
Shannon L. Wallis: Environmental Solutions Research Centre, Unitec Institute of Technology, Auckland 1025, New Zealand

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 7, 1-17

Abstract: There are six elongate mineral particles (EMPs) corresponding to specific dimensional and morphological criteria, known as asbestos. Responsible for health issues including asbestosis, and malignant mesothelioma, asbestos has been well researched. Despite this, significant exposure continues to occur throughout the world, potentially affecting 125 million people in the workplace and causing thousands of deaths annually from exposure in homes. However, there are other EMPS, such as fibrous/asbestiform erionite, that are classified as carcinogens and have been linked to cancers in areas where it has been incorporated into local building materials or released into the environment through earthmoving activities. Erionite is a more potent carcinogen than asbestos but as it is seldom used for commercial purposes, exposure pathways have been less well studied. Despite the apparent similarities between asbestos and fibrous erionite, their health risks and exposure pathways are quite different. This article examines the hazards presented by EMPs with a particular focus on fibrous erionite. It includes a discussion of the global locations of erionite and similar hazardous minerals, a comparison of the multiple exposure pathways for asbestos and fibrous erionite, a brief discussion of the confusing nomenclature associated with EMPs, and considerations of increasing global mesothelioma cases.

Keywords: asbestos fibres; erionite; malignant mesothelioma; exposure; asbestiform (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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