Naturally occurring zeolites include forms whose biological activity is reported to range from highly pathogenic (
erionite) to essentially benign (mordenite).
Fluoresecence imaging of reactive oxygen metabolites generated in single macrophages cells (NR8363) upon phagocytosis of natural zeolite (
erionite)fibers.
In the case of pleural plaque, two additional fibers indicative of
erionite were also identified with an elemental composition including silicon, aluminum, sodium, and also a peak for calcium or potassium.
Erionite exposure in North Dakota and Turkish villages with mesothelioma.
The best model for understanding asbestos-related fibrogenicity and mesothelial carcinogenicity is the very slow clearance of long, thin biopersistent fibers, of which commercial amphibole asbestos (amosite and crocidolite),
erionite, and refractory ceramic fibers are excellent examples, from respiratory compartments.
Epidemiological and environmental evidence of the health effects of exposure to
erionite fibres: A four-year study in the Cappadocian region of Turkey.
[21] Exposure to tremolite asbestos or fibrous zeolite (
erionite) in Southeast Turkey is well-documented.
Since then, another mineral fiber in the zeolite family called
erionite has been shown to be highly carcinogenic and causing pulmonary diseases similar to those seen with asbestos [10-12].
Other risk factors in some patients are radiation exposure talc
erionite or mica exposure and patients suffering from familial Mediterranean fever and diffuse lymphocytic lymphoma.
Thorium removal from aqueous solutions of Mexican
erionite and X zeolite, Journal of Radio analytical and Nuclear Chemistry, 260(1): 115.118 0236.