Mesothelioma and Asbestos

The tiny town of Libby, Montana has seen more than its share of mesothelioma as well as other asbestos-related deaths.  Health officials blame the now-defunct W.R. Grace vermiculite mine for the more than 400 deaths in Libby. Vermiculite is a common mineral commonly used as insulation. Asbestos is an unfortunate side effect of vermiculite mining because the vermiculite ore is contaminating with asbestos fibers. The W.R. Grace mine operated from the 1920s to the 1990s when it was closed due to asbestos contamination. The mine as well as the town of Libby are considered the most contaminated areas in the United States.

Much of the vermiculite ore from the mine was sent to a processing plant in Dearborn, Michigan, where the vermiculite was extracted for take in building materials, exposing workers as well as the community to the deadly asbestos contamination. Other cities in Michigan as well as hosted processing plants using ore that came from Libby.

For the filled story, go to Examiner.