Vermiculite mining operations near Libby, Montana were active from the 1920s to 1990. Rail facilities for shipment of the mined material as well as some vermiculite processing activities were ongoing within the community of Libby. A fibrous component within the mined material has been associated with asbestos-related diseases in vermiculite miners and in the local citizens of the community.

Clinical History/Methods

We present a clinical case history and tissue fiber burden analysis of an individual with a multifocal adenocarcinoma of the lung who was a lifelong resident of Libby and whose history of exposure was as a member of the general population there.

Results/Discussion

To our knowledge this is the first time tissue from a member of the general population of Libby, Montana has been evaluated and shown to contain an appreciable presence of “Libby amphibole” fibers.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

Ronald F. Dodson serves as an expert witness/consultant at the request of plaintiff law firms and defense law firms in cases involving asbestos and dust-related exposures. He occasionally has served directly for courts in such litigation. He has and does serve on panels/workshops for federal and state agencies which focus on issues involving asbestos/dust exposure and the risk for development of disease in humans. Brad Black is the Medical Director and CEO of the Center for Asbestos Related Disease in Libby, Montana. He serves as a member on several boards of asbestos advocacy groups. Lee W. Poye serves as an expert witness/consultant at the request of plaintiff and defense firms in asbestos/dust-related issues as well as a resource for state agencies in the same matters. James R. Bruce serves as an expert in asbestos-related issues at the request of plaintiff representatives in litigation/clinical matters. Tracy McNew is the Administrative and Research Director at the Center for Asbestos Related Disease. She declares no conflict of interests with regard to the subjects of this manuscript.

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Citing Literature

Volume63, Issue5

May 2020

Pages 456-462

A clinical evaluation and tissue fiber burden analysis of a lifetime resident of Libby, Montana with adenocarcinoma of the lung

Abstract

Introduction

Clinical History/Methods

Results/Discussion

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

REFERENCES

Citing Literature

References

Information

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