Zeolite-Cancer Involvement

[unotim123]

Some scientist says zeolite (especially asbest) make humans cancer and increase the lung cancer risk.However we use zeolite in our filters.Are the trademarked products(Prodac etc.) also risk for lung cancer?I wonder whether trademarked zeolites are risky.I will be happy if you reply it.Thanks..

[MatsP]

Funny, the first hit in Google says the complete opposite - that cancers can be cured by certain types of zeolites:
http://www.naturalnews.com/015232.html

[I'm by no means saying this article is correct, but there are LOTS more of them].

I think the key to your question is here:

This particular form of zeolite used in both the liquid and powdered version we recommend, clinoptilolite, has been labelled 100% safe and non-toxic by the FDA. Just like with mushrooms, many types of zeolite are harmful, some aren't. There are more than 100 different zeolites. As an example, asbestos is a zeolite and causes cancer when inhaled as a fine powder. The zeolites we are talking about have been proven to be safe. They are a naturally-occurring non-fibrous clinoptilolite zeolite and are considered to be extremely safe and entirely non-toxic (even when inhaled).

(My bolding).

Obviously, if asbestos is a zeolite, then some zeolites are capable of causing cancer. That doesn't, in and of itself, mean that OTHER zeolites are causing cancer. To know for sure, we need to know which form of zeolites are used in filters.

This article gives some more insight, but unfortunately no clear answer to your actual question.

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Mats

[RogerMcAllen]

Silicas don't cause cancer by standard means, rather they cannot be removed by your body and cause a chronic irritation in your lungs. Zeolites are no worse for your fish than any other sand you might be using in your tank.

[Mike_Noren]

Asbestos is not considered a zeolite.
I searched google scholar, and can't find any link between cancer and zeolites.
As has been stated, pretty much all materials which produce dust can be bad for you if inhaled, including clay minerals like zeolites (see e.g. the most recent issue of The Scientist, which deals with pulmonary infections in soldiers in Iraq caused by breathing bacteria-laden dust).

[Chrysichthys]

The risk of cancer from aquarium zeolites is infinitesimal. Asbestosis, mesothelioma, silicosis etc, are occupational diseases caused by breathing in a lot of dust over a long period of time.

[MatsP]

Asbestos is not considered a zeolite.
I searched google scholar, and can't find any link between cancer and zeolites.
As has been stated, pretty much all materials which produce dust can be bad for you if inhaled, including clay minerals like zeolites (see e.g. the most recent issue of The Scientist, which deals with pulmonary infections in soldiers in Iraq caused by breathing bacteria-laden dust).

I agree with all of the above - the quote above is apparently incorrect with respect to asbestos.

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Mats