Definite Link Found Between Natural Asbestos and Cancer

By Danielle Briones

Published on July 23, 2005

A recent study from the Medical Center at UC Davis shows that everyday exposure to asbestos in naturally-occurring rocks can indeed cause mesothelioma, a rare and extremely lethal form of cancer. Mesothelioma is a very rare and extremely lethal form of cancer that usually kills its victim within about a year.

The riskiest areas to live and work in are places where ultrafamic rock, a known source of natural asbestos, is prevalent. Such regions include the foothills of El Dorado Hills County, which is just outside Sacramento. Population growth there is at an all time high, and officials are worried that the ultrafamic rock, along with its asbestos, will be disturbed in all the construction.

The UC Davis study showed about 20 new cases of mesothelioma in the El Dorado Hills County area, or about two per year. However, more testing will need to be done to determine whether these mesothelioma levels were caused by naturally-occurring asbestos rather than the more traditional cause of occupational exposure.