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

Author

Listed:
  • 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)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Terri-Ann Berry & Elena Belluso & Ruggero Vigliaturo & Reto Gieré & Edward A. Emmett & Joseph R. Testa & Gregor Steinhorn & Shannon L. Wallis, 2022. "Asbestos and Other Hazardous Fibrous Minerals: Potential Exposure Pathways and Associated Health Risks," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(7), pages 1-17, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:7:p:4031-:d:781863
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Edward A. Emmett, 2021. "Asbestos in High-Risk Communities: Public Health Implications," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-14, February.
    2. Richard A. Lemen & Philip J. Landrigan, 2021. "Sailors and the Risk of Asbestos-Related Cancer," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-14, August.
    3. Brendan Maher, 2010. "Epidemiology: Fear in the dust," Nature, Nature, vol. 468(7326), pages 884-885, December.
    4. Kathleen Ruff, 2017. "How Canada Changed from Exporting Asbestos to Banning Asbestos: The Challenges That Had to Be Overcome," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-9, September.
    5. Eun-Soo Lee & Young-Ki Kim, 2021. "Asbestos Exposure Level and the Carcinogenic Risk Due to Corrugated Asbestos-Cement Slate Roofs in Korea," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(13), pages 1-12, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Georgia Frangioudakis Khatib & Julia Collins & Pierina Otness & James Goode & Stacey Tomley & Peter Franklin & Justine Ross, 2023. "Australia’s Ongoing Challenge of Legacy Asbestos in the Built Environment: A Review of Contemporary Asbestos Exposure Risks," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-23, August.

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