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In a northwest corner of Montana, in the rural community of Libby,
the Center for Asbestos Related Disease (CARD) has emerged as a national
center of excellence in addressing healthcare issues associated with Libby
amphibole asbestos. The CARD is a not-for-profit clinic governed by a volunteer
community board that developed the vision of Caring Pathways to Treatment.
The CARD is devoted to healthcare, outreach, and research to benefit all people
impacted by exposure to Libby amphibole asbestos.
Through its clinic, the CARD fulfills its primary mission of providing specialty
holistic care for the varied diseases associated with Libby amphibole asbestos. In addition,
CARD facilitates many clinical and basic science research activities, through interfacing
with our impacted community. CARD's goal is to stimulate research from around the country to:
gain further understanding of disease mechanisms, improve early cancer detection, and develop
effective health management strategies in hope of finding answers to improve health outcomes
for individuals and communities.
Libby Amphibole Asbestos is Unique
Libby amphibole asbestos has been recognized to be very unique as it is both chemically
and structurally different from chrysotile, the commercial asbestos most common around the
country. From a study by
United States Geological Survey (USGS) released in 2003,
we learned that Libby amphibole asbestos is a mixture of at least 5 chemically similar fibers.
One of the unique features of Libby amphibole asbestos is the tendency of larger fragments to
fracture, forming long thin mineral fibers that appear the same as naturally formed asbestos
fibers. The toxicity of these fragments is currently unknown, but through observation of
pulmonary diseases in the exposed population there are indications that suggest that these
fibers contributed significant toxicity to the exposed individuals. |
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![[image]](images/libby-amphibole-fibers.jpg) |
Asbestos related diseases associated with Libby amphibole asbestos have presented in a way
that does not fit the typical pattern associated with commercial asbestos exposure, also known
as chrysotile asbestos. The key features include a higher incidence of diseases predominately
involving the pleural surface of the chest cavity (lining surrounding the lungs). Furthermore,
there’s an appearance of a higher toxicity of fibers based on the lower level exposures which have
lead to significant lung disease. This has been observed clinically as well as recognized through
ongoing research activities conducted at The University of Cincinnati on workers exposed to Libby
vermiculite in Ohio. Another observation over time has taught us a pleural plaque (scarring on the
lung lining) can not be assumed to be a benign problem. Many individuals have had progression after
plaques were initially identified despite the fact that plaques were traditionally perceived as a
marker of exposure that did not have negative health implications. In addition, it is also noteworthy
that lung cancer rates are significantly higher than in similar non-asbestos exposed populations.
Because of the increased frequency of health impacts, prolonged latency, and uncertain prognosis,
ongoing specialty care and research is essential.
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