While the toxic mineral asbestos is well-known to cause mesothelioma, a group of North Dakota researchers are wondering if mesothelioma and other respiratory illnesses could be a caused by another little-known mineral. Known as erionite, this mineral is found throughout the state, and previous studies have linked erionite to cancer in lab rats. Researchers believe that erionite may have the same destructive properties as asbestos. Asbestos causes lung cancer, mesothelioma, and various other diseases that affect the lungs.

While they initially had a difficult time recruiting volunteers for the study, by the time the recruitment deadline arrived on Friday, June 12^th, state health officials finally had found enough people who have been exposed to erionite to conduct their study. All told, North Dakota state health officials say 33 volunteers have signed up for the study, which will examine the health effects erionite has on the human body. Although 33 people may seem like a small group, the state Health Department is confident that the group is large enough to study the effects of erionite. Volunteers will be paid $100 for participating in the study.

North Dakota residents who work as ranchers, professional drivers, and road maintenance workers are all believed to have an elevated risk of coming into contact with this potentially deadly mineral. The 33 people selected for the study will undergo a chest X-ray and CT scan, which will then be sent off to the University of Cincinnati to be examined. Doctors will be able to link erionite with illnesses if the x-rays and CT scans show scar tissue in the lungs.

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