El Dorado Pets Show Signs Of Asbestos Poisoning -- MesoLink.org -- 09-09-04

Following recent tests on a small sample of pets from El Dorado County, scientists have expressed concerns over the levels of toxic asbestos that was found in the lungs of the animals.

The scientist involved in the testing described the levels of toxicity as ‘greatly elevated’.

The asbestos problems have occurred due to development in the County, which has disturbed the natural asbestos and created airborne fibers and dust. The concern is that, if pets have been affected then residents and children are also at risk.

The tests were carried out on a very small sample of four deceased dogs and cats. However, the results seemed sufficient to raise concerns for both residents and environmental agencies.

Gerald Hiatt, an Environmental Protection Agency scientist, stated:

"It does suggest that the potential exists out there for human exposure from dust-generating activities."

Asbestos is a mineral that is known to cause a deadly cancer known as mesothelioma, for which there is no known cure as yet. The cancer is caused through the ingestion of airborne asbestos fibers and dust, and the scientists’ concerns are that the natural asbestos fibers that appear to have become airborne could now be ingested by locals.