Erionite

The green tuft of fibers protuding from the top of this ignious rock specimen is the Erionite fiber. Erionite is a zeolite fiber found in many parts of the world. This sample is from Drain, Oregon in the US.

Macrophotograph

Definition/Function:

Erionite is a zeolite fiber found in many parts of the world. This sample is from Drain, Oregon in the US.

Significance in the Environment:

Erionite has been linked to mesothelioma in a number of studies (see ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH CRITERIA 53: ASBESTOS AND OTHER NATURAL MINERAL FIBRES, World Health Organization, page 131, 1986). There is some question in this regard due to an associated exposure to tremolite and chrysotile (see Rohl et.al., "Endemic Pleural Disease associated with exposure to mixed fibrous dust in Turkey", Science, vol. 216, pp. 518-520, 1982).

Characteristic Features:

Erionite has Refractive indices of 1.468 and 1.476 with a positive sign of elogation and parallel extinction.

Associated Particles:

References:

ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH CRITERIA 53: ASBESTOS AND OTHER NATURAL MINERAL FIBRES, World Health Organization, page 131, 1986.

Rohl et.al., "Endemic Pleural Disease associated with exposure to mixed fibrous dust in Turkey", Science, vol. 216, pp. 518-520, 1982