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James McGlothlin, Purdue University (United States)
William Albrecht, Environmental Protection Agency (United States)
A. Umran Dogan, Ankara University; University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa (Turkey)
Meral Dogan, Hacettepe University; University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa (Turkey)
Aubrey Miller, Environmental Protection Agency (United States)
Brian Brass, Environmental Protection Agency (United States)
Connie Nutt, U.S. Geological Survey (United States)
Murat Akkus, Ankara University (Turkey)
Carbone Michael, University of Hawaii (United States)
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From 4 to 16 April 2008, researchers from the University of Hawaii, University of Iowa, Ankara University, Hacettepe University, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), and Purdue University, conducted an environmental assessment of erionite, a human and animal carcinogen, in Cappadocia, Turkey. As part of this study personal (10 liters per minute, lpm), high volume (16 cubic feet per minute, cfm) and activity-based real-time (1 cfm) air sampling for air particulates was conducted at 6 villages in Cappadocia. The six villages included: Sarihidir, Karain, Tuzkoy, Nar, Boyali, and Karlik. Sites where sampling was conducted included: Mosques, homes, schools, and community centers. Preliminary analyses of the real-time data show that there was an increase in particulate concentration from the least amount of airborne particulate in the mosques to the most in the community centers. In addition, the particle size distribution profiles, ranging from 0.1 to 5.0 m could be characterized based on the sampling site and simulated work activities. Prior research suggests that the physiochemical and micro-morphologic characteristics of erionite, including particle size, may be a factor in the development of mesothelioma, a rare form of lung cancer world-wide, yet common in this region of Turkey. The findings from this pilot study may provide guidance in controlling exposures to erionite and prevent adverse health outcomes to those who live and work in this region of Turkey.
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