Federal initiative to study Libby asbestos exposure

Tools

By The Associated Press

Story Published: Jun 11, 2008 at 6:24 PM MDT

Story Updated: Jun 11, 2008 at 6:24 PM MDT

HELENA - Federal agencies have announced a five-year, $8 million dollar study aimed at understanding the effects of exposure to lower levels of asbestos in Libby.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency say the Libby Amphibole Health Risk Initiative will focus on determining whether exposure to lower levels of Libby asbestos is associated with increased risk of lung disease, cancer, chronic illnesses, autoimmune diseases or other health problems.

The initiative will be funded by the EPA and the Department of Health and Human Services' Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. It will include a series of projects and studies, including one that will compare film and digital chest x-rays to determine which is best for assessing the condition of lungs.

Asbestos contamination from a now-closed vermiculite mine near Libby has been blamed for killing more than 200 people and sickening many hundreds more.

Monday, Jun 16 at 7:50 AM laurel.m.adams@gsk.com wrote ...

My father-in-law suffered from COPD and died of cholangiocarcinoma after >20 years working at John-Manville n Manville, NJ. I would be most interested in hearing any information abouta link with cancers other than lung cancer and mesothelioma.

Add a comment

Name:

Comment: 1000 Characters Left

News, Sports, Weather for Great Falls, Helena, and all of Montana and its affiliated companies are not responsible for the content of comments posted or for anything arising out of use of the above comments or other interaction among the users. We reserve the right to screen, refuse to post, remove or edit user-generated content at any time and for any or no reason in our absolute and sole discretion without prior notice, although we have no duty to do so or to monitor any Public Forum.

Great Falls Weather

Icon
Current Temp 31.0 °F
Light Snow Fog/Mist
Wind : North at 15.0 MPH (13 KT)
Pressure : 1029.1 mb
Humidity : 92 %
Click here for our video forecast
More Weather

Helena Weather

Current Temp 31.0 °F
Light Snow and Breezy
Wind : from the North at 20.7 gusting to 32.2 MPH (18 gusting to 28 KT)
Pressure : 1028.9 mb
Humidity : 82 %
More Weather

On Demand

Stock Quotes
This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.

Cast Your Vote

Have you stuck with your New Year's Resolutions?

  • Yes
  • No
  • I didn't make any resolutions this year

AP Video