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Monica Almeida/The New York Times
Some serpentine rocks do serve as a host for chrysotile, a form of asbestos. But geologists say chrysotile is less harmful than some other forms of asbestos, and would be a danger only if a person were to breathe its dust repeatedly.
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Rich Pedroncelli/Associated Press
State Senator Gloria Romero proposed the serpentine bill.
The lawmaker and others who would like to see serpentine stripped of its title say the olive green rock found all over the state is a grim symbol of the deadly cancers associated with asbestos, which can be found in the rock. Geologists, who have taken to Twitter on behalf of the rock, assert that serpentine is harmless and is being demonized by advocates for people with asbestos-related diseases and possibly their trial lawyers, too.
The rest of the story is here Web address : http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/14/us/14rock.html?r=1&hp
Only in California ?
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/14/2010 06:07AM by jobe.