Mesothelioma Cases On The Rise In Libby
In August 2008 a study was released claiming that there was a possibility that individuals living in Libby, Montana may experience a rise over the next 20 years in the number of cases of diseases that are caused by exposure to asbestos containing materials. Deadly diseases such as mesothelioma and asbestosis are all too often the result of handling these types of materials.
According to Dr. Alan Whitehouse, who conducted the study, many of those individuals who may not have worked first-hand with the materials may still begin to see effects resulting from living within such close proximity to the toxic materials.
Eleven mesothelioma victims were examined by Whitehouse, all who contracted the illness not by working with the toxic fibers but through environmental and second hand exposure to the fibers.
According to reports Libby, Montana has been deemed one of the worst asbestos contamination areas in the United States.
Whitehouse claims that toxic fibers released from the vermiculite mine have been the cause of more than 200 deaths to Libby residents. These fibers contain a specific type of asbestos called tremolite.
According to the Libby Mayor, the town will soon be undergoing asbestos cleanup and will “one day be one of the healthiest and cleanest places to live in the United States.”
