Risk Factors of Mesothelioma: Zeolite
In addition to asbestos, there is also another naturally occurring substance that has been found to be a cause of mesothelioma cancer.
Zeolites
is a silicate mineral that is found naturally in the volcanic rock and
ashes, as well as the soil in Anatolia - a peninsula that is located in
between the Mediterranean and Black Seas in Turkey. Composed primarily
of hydrated aluminum and silicon compounds, they are often used as
additives in animal feed and as adsorbents, desiccants, detergents, and
water/air purifiers.
When ingested, zeolite can increase the pH
levels in the gastrointestinal tract and interact with prescription
drugs. As a result, it is sometimes included in dietary supplements to
help cure hangovers, as well as some adjuvant therapy programs to help
treat some types of cancer.
However, not unlike asbestos, when
zeolite is broken into dust particles and inhaled into the lungs, it has
been found to be a carcinogenic and a cause of malignant mesothelioma.
Additionally, it has also been linked to fibrosis, pneumoconiosis, and
been found to provoke a number of other potentially adverse reactions in
the body.
Despite the evidence that zeolites have been found to be dangerous and a cause of malignant mesothelioma, they are nonetheless still allowed to be used in products that are sold and used in the United States.
Following
a mesothelioma diagnosis, it is quite important to try and narrow down
what the primary cause of the disease was, and where it may have
occurred. In the event a diagnosis can be linked to asbestos exposure
that one had while working for a company that did not warn them of the
fibers’ health risks, a lawsuit may be a possibility. Contact an asbestos attorney to learn more information about asbestos law and what possible mesothelioma lawsuits may be possible.