[aruanan]

Although all forms of asbestos are known to cause cancer, most specialists in asbestos disease believe the rare "amphibole" found in parts of western El Dorado and Placer counties is several hundred times more potent than the more prevalent "chrysotile" type historically used in fireproofing and insulation products.

Chrysotile asbestos is one of the most abundant naturally-occurring minerals. It's virtually impossible to escape contact with it. There are cities with such high naturally-occurring levels that if they had happened as a result of industry, they would be shut down as completely (and unnecessarily) as Times Beach, Missouri was over dioxin. And yet these cities (one called Asbestos) do not have higher than normal lung cancer rates.

The cancer scare from asbestos came as a result of workers in shipyards during WWII being in contact with amphibole asbestos. Most of those who came in contact with this asbestos who later developed cancer also happened to be smokers.

[farmfriend]

The area in question has very high natural deposits of this stone. It has been an ongoing issue in the area but as you point out, there are no increases in cancer there.

[WackyKat]

The cancer scare from asbestos came as a result of workers in shipyards during WWII being in contact with amphibole asbestos. Most of those who came in contact with this asbestos who later developed cancer also happened to be smokers.

It's a lot more than just a "scare"

There is a very strong link between high asbestos exposure and mesothelioma, and a weaker but still significant link between asbestos and lung cancers.

And then there is asbestosis, which is not fun, either.

And a lot of exposure took place long after WW2

[SierraWasp]

"Although all forms of asbestos are known to cause cancer..."

Does that sound correct to you? Are there recorded cases of cancer being caused by ALL forms of asbestos? I don't think that is 100% correct. There are many forms of asbestos in serpentine rock alone and I don't believe all of those forms have been traced as the source of diagnosed cancers. What do you think?

I think this prick of an author is still trying to stop development in Placer and El Dorado Counties and is just pist because they won't give him a Pulitzer for tryin 75 times to start a panic about asbestosis because of any disturbance of the soil that has serpentine rock... California's State Rock, by the way!!!