KILDEER, N.D.,/August 10/--The Environmental Protection Agency is calling for further study of an asbestos-like mineral called erionite, found in the Kildeer Mountains of North Dakota. Erionite is a naturally occuring fibrous mineral first discovered in the Kildeer Mountains in the 1980's. Erionite fibers are long and thin, like that of asbestos. Erionite from Kildeer Mountain gravel pits has been used on roads, parking lots, and other locations throughout Dunn County. The EPA began testing erionite samples last October after state health officials were alerted to the published results of a Turkish study linking erionite exposure to lung cancer and malignant mesothelioma. As with asbestos, there is a latency period with erionite; mesothelioma or other related lung disease may not manifest itself until 10-40 years after exposure. Preliminary testing of Kildeer Mountain erionite showed it to have a similar composition to that found in Turkey in the 1970's, however the studies proved inconclusive due to the wet, damp weather at the time of testing. According to the EPA, further study is necessary to determine the effects of long-term exposure to erionite and any health risk it may pose to area residents. Part of that study would include x-ray testing of those residents who have had long term exposure to the erionite testing sites.

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