This is cutting edge here, folks. A “new” mineral has been found to cause mesothelioma. As you might know, asbestos exposure can cause 3 diseases; 1. asbestosis, 2. lung cancer, and 3. mesothelioma. Previously it was thought that only asbestos exposures could cause asbestosis and mesothelioma. (Side: This is why late-night attorney’s wonder if you have those diseases….if you do, you were exposed at some point)

However, there is a new suspect: Erionite. (wiki it here)

This new mineral has been documented to cause mesothelioma and has asbestos-like physical properties.

The mineral is found in many places, near volcanoes. Below is a map from the fairwarning.org site.  Also, here is a link to the MSN republish of the fairwarning article. I guarantee there will be more news  in the media about this in the future. Here is the scientific article from University of Hawaii.