Erionite
Classification:
Erionite is a zeolite; compare to zeolite.
Cas:
66733-21-9
Synonyms/Trade Names:
Offretite.
Chemistry/Composition:
(Ca,Na,K)2(Al3Si9O24)×9H2O.
Structure:
All zeolites are built by groups of silicon or aluminum atoms in a tetrahedral oxygen configuration. The tetrahedra are linked in sharing all oxygen atoms. Large cavities and channels contain the cations. These are relatively loosely bound and induce a broad variation of chemical composition. The structural differences between the members of the zeolite groups are related with the various linkages of the rings of tetrahedra. The specific Structure of erionite is still not determined.
Crystallographic Constants:
9.130 9.130 9.130 92.620 92.620 92.620.
Crystal Group:
Hexagonal.
Color:
White.
Optical Properties:
nO=1.480-1.485 nE=1.478-1.490.
Pleochroism:
In thin sections, colorless and without Pleochroism.
Powder Diagram:
11.4 6.64 4.32 3.75 (22-854).
Natural Sources:
Japan, Kenya, Mexico, New Zealand, Tanzania, Turkey, and the USA (Nevada, Durkes/Oregon, Arizona).
Medical Importance:
Key Hazards:
Fibrogenic, carcinogenic.
Involved Organs:
Lung, peritoneum, skin, kidneys.
Exposure/Epidemiology:
Used to improve the fertility of soil, and to control odors in the livestock production. A natural exposure is known (e.g. in Cappadocia/Turkey). For details, see under the heading asbestos .
Thresholds:
See under the heading asbestos .
Etiology/Pathophysiology:
Erionite is the most common nonasbestos mineral, that induces mesotheliomas; compare to zeolite, asbestos . The inhaled fibers activate complement-derived chemotactic activity on alveolar surfaces, pneumocytes, macrophages, and mesothelial cells. Immunologic compartments such as interleukins and tumor necrosis factor are probably involved. For details, see under the heading asbestos .
Lung Diseases:
Erionite can induce interstitial lung fibrosis, pleural diseases such as fibrosis, pleural plaques, benign and malignant tumors of the lung, pleura, peritoneum, gastrointestinal tract, lymphatic system, and kidneys. For details, see under the heading zeolite, asbestos .
Clinical Presentation:
Chronic cough and shortness of breath during physical exercise are usually the first symptoms; chest pain is often associated with pleural tumors.
Radiology:
Chest radiographs are often normal in patients with early changes. Others may display diffuse interstitial densities, pleural thickening, or effusion.
Lung Function:
Progressive restrictive changes or severe obstructive alterations are seen.
Bronchoalveolar Lavage:
The inhaled mineral fibers can be analyzed and quantified in the lavage fluid. Increased levels of complement C5 or altered ratio of the T4/T8 lymphocytes correspond with the activity of the fibrotic lesions.
Pathology:
Gross:
The lungs may display an increased consistency, a thickened and fibrotic pleura, honeycombing, or circumscribed white-yellowish tumor masses. For details, see under the heading asbestos .
Histology:
The fibers are birefringent and often coated with iron-protein mucopolysaccharide substances (asbestos bodies). They are usually deposited in the distant air ways and can be ingested by macrophages. Diffuse interstitial fibrosis associated with scattered mononuclear inflammatory infiltrates and acellular collagenous fibers in the pleura are common findings. Benign and malignant tumors of various cell types (most frequently common lung carcinoma and mesothelioma) can develop. For details, see under the heading asbestos .
Prognosis:
Usually poor due to serious sequelae.
Additional Diseases:
See under the heading zeolite, asbestos .
References:
search Pubmed for Erionite
Baris I, Simonato L, Artivinli M, Pooley F, Saracci R: Epidemiological and environmental evidence of the health effects of the exposure to erionite fibres: a four-year study in the Cappadocian region of Turkey. Int J Cancer 1 (1987) 10-17
Baris YI, Coplu L, Selcuk TZ, Emri S, AA Sahin: Erionite-related diseases. In: M Sluyser (Ed): Asbestos-related cancer. Ellis Horwood, New York, London (1991)
Baris I, Artvinli M, Sahin AA, Sebastien P, Gaudichet A: Diffuse lung fibrosis due to fibrous zeolite (erionite) exposure. Eur J Respir Dis 2 (1987) 122-125
Baris I, Saracci R, Simonato L, Skidmore J, Artvinli M: Malignant mesothelioma and radiological chest abnormalities in two villages in central turkey. Lancet, May 2 (1981) 984-987
Baris YI: Fibrous zeolite (erionite)-related diseases in Turkey. Am J Ind Med 19 (1991) 374-378
Brown RC, R Davies, Roo AP: Modification of fibrous Oregon erionite and its effects on carcinogenity in vitro. IARC Sci Publ 8 (1989) 74-80
Erzen C, Eryilmaz M, Kalyoncu F, Bilir N, Sahin A, Bar i s Y I : CT f i n d in gs i n m a li g na nt pl e ur a l mesothelioma related to nonoccupational exposure to asbestos and fibrous zeolite (erionite). J Comput Assist Tomogr 15 (1991) 256-260
Gibbs AR: Role of asbestos and other fibres in the development of diffuse malignant mesothelioma. Thorax 45 (1990) 649-654
Hanson K, Mossman BT: Generation of superoxide (O2-) from alveolar macrophages exposed to asbestiform and nonfibrous particles. Cancer Res 47 (1987) 1681-1686
Hill RJ, Edwards RE, Carthew P: Early changes in the p l eur a l mes o th eliu m fo llow i ng i nt r a l pl e ur a l inoculation of the mineral fibre erionite and the subsequent development of mesotheliomas. J Exp Pathol Oxford 71 (1990) 105-118
IARC: Erionite. In: Silica and some silicates. IARC Mono Eval Carcinog Risk Chem Human 42 (1987) 225-239
IARC: Overall evaluations of carcinogenicity: an updating of IARC monographs volumes 1 to 42. IARC Mono Eval Carcinog Risk Human Suppl 7 (1987)
IARC: Cancer: causes, occurrence and control. IARC Sci Publ 100 (1990)
Kayser K: Analytical Lung Pathology. Springer, Heidelberg, New York (1992)
Lewis RJ: Carcinogenically active chemicals. Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York (1991)
Merchant JA: Human epidemiology: a review of fiber type and characteristics in the development of malignant and nonmalignant disease. Environ Health Perspect 88 (1990) 287-293
Mossman BT, Sesko AM: In vitro assays to predict the pathogenicity of mineral fibres. Toxicology 2 (1990) 53-61
Özesmi M, Hillerdal G, Svane B, Widstrom O: Prospective clinical and radiological study of zeolite-exposed turkish immigrants in Sweden. Respiration 57 (1990) 325-328
Özesmi M, Hillerdal G, Krause F: Zur Kenntnis kanzerogener und immunologischer Befunde durch den Faserzeolit Erionit. Pneumologie 44 (1990) 335-336
Parlekar LD, Eyre JF, Most BM, Coffin DL: Metaphase and anphase analysis of V79 cells exposed to erionite, UI CC chr y so tile an d UICC cr ocido l i t e . Carcinogenesis 8 (1987) 553-560
Pott F, Blome H, Bruch J, Friedberg KD, Rödelsperger K: Einstufungsvorschlag für anorganische und organis c h e Fa s e rn . Arb e itsmed S o zia l m e d Präventivmed 25 (1990) 463-466
Rohl AN, Langer AM, Moncure G, Selikoff J, Fischbein A: Endemic pleural disease associated with exposure to mixed fibrous dust in Turkey. Science 216 (1982) 518-520
Sebastien P, Awad L, Bignon J, Patit G, Baris YI: Ferruginous bodies in sputum as an indication of e x posur e t o ai rbo r ne mi ner a l f i b e rs in the mesothelioma villages of Cappadocia. Arch Environ Health 39 (1984) 18-23
Selikoff IJ: Historical developments and perspectives in inorganic fiber toxicity in man. Environ Health Perspect 88 (1990) 269-276
Short SR, Petsonk EL: Respiratory health risks among nonmetal miners. Occup Med 8 (1993) 57-70