Between 1920 and 1990, vermiculite was mined and refined in north western Montana near the town of Libby (population 2531, 1990 U.S. Census). This operation included: (1) strip mining for the ore; (2) transporting it by truck to a sorting facility and to processing plants in downtown Libby; (3) expanding by heating; and (4) shipping it by rail as a commercial product. Unbeknownst was that the vermiculite ore was contaminated with tremolite, a form of asbestos. Exposure to the contaminated ore has been documented not only in the workers who mined or processed the ore, but also among persons who lived with these workers and others in the community not associated with the mine. Numerous cases of asbestosis or mesothelioma cases have been confirmed among this population. In the Fall of 1999, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) began an emergency response action to identify and control asbestos contamination in the Libby community with assistance from the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), the Montana Department of Health and Human Services, the Lincoln County Health Department, and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. In addition, the agencies attempted to address the public health implications of past human exposure to the tremolite. This round table discussion will present a model for bringing together the many agencies in an effort to provide a coherent emergency assessment and response for the residents of Libby and a long-term plan to manage the public health consequences of widespread exposure to a hazardous substance.
Learning Objectives: 1. Describe the public health implications of environmental contaminants in the community. 2. Develop a community-based environmental health program following the model presented. 3. Recognize the importance of early identification and collaboration of partnerships and stakeholders to outline and address the public health issues in the community. 4. Explain the implications of a disease registry for long-term follow up.
Keywords: Community-Based Partnership, Environmental Exposures
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
Department of Health and Human Services,
Montana Department of Health and Human Services, Lincoln County Health Department,
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry