Just like much of Montana, Libby is a great place to get outdoors and do some hiking, fishing, hunting, camping and skiing. See EPA’s PDF page to learn more. 2008. Each worker supplied a detailed Last Updated: 12/08/2014
Asbestos-contaminated Libby vermiculite was used in loose-fill attic insulation that remains in millions of homes in … Libby, Montana, a small town nestled in the northwestern corner of the state, is a humble town, a great destination for anglers and hunters. Environment Protection Agency. Libby Amphibole asbestos is very small in single fibers, so small that you need a microscope to view individual fibers. Health indicators including depression, stress, acceptance of illness, and satisfaction with access and financial aspects of care were obtained via electronic and paper-pencil survey. The contamination was not limited just to the mine site; Libby residents were able to pick up free truckloads of asbestos-contaminated vermiculite for use at home. This study evaluated potency and time-course effects of LA and positive control amosite (AM) asbestos fibers in male F344 rats following nose-only inhalation exposure. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. This could lead to fibers becoming airborne, putting individuals at risk of exposure. Libby Amphiboles have a single way of being transmitted into the biosphere.
Recreational and residential areas in Libby were contaminated with LAA. Vermiculite products were used in many public places such as … Libby asbestos contains six different amphibole fiber types, therefore, the asbestos sample is labeled in this paper as 6-mix. Extrapolation Method:
Just like much of Montana, Libby is a great place to get outdoo… Many buildings still contain asbestos today and many workers are exposed daily. 1.7 x 10 -1 per fiber/cc
Due to the presence of asbestos, additional concerns have been raised about the potential for forest fires near the Libby Asbestos site to spread asbestos fibers, exposing firefighters and those living adjacent to the Libby site. United States Environmental Protection Agency. Vermiculite ore containing Libby amphibole asbestos (LAA) was mined in Libby, MT, from the 1920s-1990. Methods: Three studies presenting the risks associated with quantitative LAA exposure estimates were reviewed, paying particular attention to lower exposure ranges. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. A good place to start is the EPA Website on Libby asbestos. Press Release: EPA Finalizes Libby Amphibole Asbestos Health Assessment/Risk assessment shows EPA cleanup has reduced cancer and non-cancer risks in Libby and Troy, December 8, 2014 Toxicological Review of Libby Amphibole asbestos (PDF) (685 pp, 8.5 MB) It also describes the nomenclature, morphology and areas of concern, (including areas in Montana) involved with asbestos. Contact Us to ask a question, provide feedback or report a problem. Learn more about this project. The small town of Libby is set in a valley carved by the Kootenai River in the northwestern corner of Montana. Reference Dose for Oral Exposure (RfD) (PDF) (36 pp, 359 K)
However nestled in this backcountry is the lurking health hazard of a nearby vermiculite mine. It also summarizes site history and explains the role of toxicity values in risk assessment. Upcoming registration deadlines for the NAGT Webinar Series! However, asbestiform winchite is found in the gangue at the Libby, Montana, vermiculite deposit, where asbestos-related diseases have been reported among the miners and millers. We support geoscience education at every level. Toxicity of Libby Amphibole Asbestos Libby Amphibole Epidemiology Studies One of the earliest publications associating Libby vermicul ite with pulmonary changes focused on a worker population from a Marysville, Ohio fertilizer plant that had utilized vermiculite from the Libby mine and South Africa (Lockey et al., 1983). Abnormally high incidences of asbestos-related pulmonary disease have been reported in residents of Libby, Montana, because of occupational and environmental exposure to asbestos-contaminated vermiculite. 2. libby amphibole asbestos: geology, use, and exposure potential.. 2-1 2.1. historical background..... 2-1 2.2. geology and mineralogy of libby amphibole asbestos ..... 2-2 2.2.1. silicate minerals ..... 2-4 Summary: This article is written in order to inform the people of the environmental and health risks that Amphibole Asbestos poses. The ore is identified as "waxy-silky white to greenish white, with fibrous strands running across the surface. As noted above, Libby amphibole asbestos (LAA) has been found to co-occur with the vermiculite ore that was mined in Libby, Montana starting in the 1920s. Join today and your membership will help ensure that this site can continue to serve geoscience educators. Center For Asbestos Related Disease . Imbedded in the vermiculite is a form of asbestos that was released into the air when the vermiculite was processed, creating an abundance of the fibers released into the atmosphere around Libby. Libby Asbestos Timeline . You will need Adobe Reader to view some of the files on this page. Tumor type(s): Cancer mortality from lung cancer and mesothelioma (Sullivan, 2007), Dec 2014:
Additionally, the LA fibers were unintentionally transported from the mine on clothing, shoes, and in the cars of the mineworkers. IRIS Toxicological Review of Libby Amphibole Asbestos (Interagency Science Discussion Draft) (Report), Mar 2013:
This may be a synopsis of the full weight-of-evidence narrative. Even when not disturbed directly by human contact, LA can contaminate the soil in Libby, this is due to the natural geologic deposits of the Asbestos within the town. A key goal is to minimize burden on the community members themselves. &EPA United States Environmental Protection Agency Determining Toxicity Values of Libby Amphibole Asbestos May 2011 The purpose of this fact sheet is to describe EPA's course of action for establishing Libby Amphibole asbestos (LA)- specific toxicity values. The Libby Amphibole Asbestos is virtually non-hazardous unless it is stirred up by physical activity. As said before LA is very small and is easily transported through the air. This objective of this study was to characterize childhood exposure to LAA and investigate its association with respiratory health during young adulthood. Libby Montana And Asbestos. Vermiculite is not a form of asbestos itself but instead contains a rather uncommon form of asbestos ore known as Libby Amphibole asbestos. Teach the Earth the portal for Earth Education, From NAGT's On the Cutting Edge Collection. 1.2. libby amphibole asbestos-specific human health assessment..... 1-4 2. libby amphibole asbestos: geology and exposure potential ..... 2-1 2.1. introduction ..... 2-1 Request PDF | Amphibole asbestos from Libby, Montana: Aspects of nomenclature: Table 1. It is then deposited into soils, sand, or accumulates in dust within homes, garages or other buildings when settled. PDF File. "(Peronard) This asbestos could not be used commercially due to the fact that it is so friable, it is rather seen as a contaminate to the vermiculite ore. "Historic mining, milling, and processing operations at the site are known to have caused releases of vermiculite and Libby Amphibole asbestos into the environment that have caused a range of adverse health effects in exposed people, including not only workers at the mine and processing facilities, but also in residents of Libby" (Peronard) The Environmental Protection Agency began efforts to clean Libby in November of 1999. Your membership is helping to ensure that this site can continue to serve geoscience educators. Creative Commons license unless otherwise noted below. This project developed from studies demonstrating that Libby Amphibole Asbestos (LAA) causes a non-typical set of health outcomes not generally reported for asbestos, including systemic autoimmunity and an unusual and devastating lamellar pleural thickening that progresses to severe pulmonary dysfunction and death. The most effective way to prevent harmful effects of Asbestos is simply to avoid exposure to the mineral itself, as with any pathogen. Last Updated: 12/08/2014, Weight of Evidence for Cancer (PDF) (36 pp, 359 K)
Journal Article: Low Levels Of Exposure To Libby Amphibole Asbestos And Localized Pleural Thickening (Journal), Aug 2011:
This case study is part of a collection of pages developed by students in the 2012 introductory-level Geology and Human Health course in the Department of Earth Sciences, Montana State University. Additional EPA toxicity information may be available by visiting the following sites: Supporting Documents for Libby Amphibole Asbestos, Reference Dose for Oral Exposure (RfD) (PDF), Reference Concentration for Inhalation Exposure (RfC) (PDF), Quantitative Estimate of Carcinogenic Risk from Oral Exposure (PDF), Quantitative Estimate of Carcinogenic Risk from Inhalation Exposure (PDF), Human Health Benchmarks for Pesticides (HHBP), Office of Pesticide Programs Pesticide Chemical Search, IRIS Toxicological Review of Libby Amphibole Asbestos (Final Report) (Report), IRIS Toxicological Review of Libby Amphibole Asbestos (Interagency Science Discussion Draft) (Report), Journal Article: Low Levels Of Exposure To Libby Amphibole Asbestos And Localized Pleural Thickening (Journal), IRIS Toxicological Review of Libby Amphibole Asbestos (External Review Draft) (Report), IRIS Toxicological Review of Libby Amphibole Asbestos (Interagency Science Consultation Draft) (Report), EPA Chemicals Dashboard - Libby Amphibole Asbestos, EPA Chemicals Dashboard - Libby Amphibole asbestos, Carcinogenic to humans (Inhalation route), Guidelines for Carcinogen Risk Assessment (U.S. EPA, 2005). 1) This disturbance has also allowed for fibers of amphibole asbestos to become a growing environmental and health concern within Australia. C57BL/6 mice were exposed by oropharyngeal aspiration to fiber suspensions at a very low dose of 3 μg/mouse. Not assessed under the IRIS Program. Photo Courtesy of the. Methods: Rats were exposed to air, LA (0.5, 3.5, or 25.0 mg/m3 targets), or AM … Join NAGT today. "Elimination of Asbestos Related Diseases. In fact this way is directly related to the transportation of the mineral. The small town of Libby is set in a valley carved by the Kootenai River in the northwestern corner of Montana. Original Article. Between the different layers are the harmful fibers of the Libby Amphibole asbestos. The old mine was used for acquiring vermiculite, that was used for insulation, shingles, and other construction materials. "The most efficient way to eliminate asbestos related diseases is to stop using all types of asbestos"(Elimination of Asbestos Related Diseases) For more information on health risks associated with asbestos visit the World Health Organization Webpage. 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