 |
|
|
 |
 |
| CARD |
| 214 E. 3rd Street |
| Libby, MT 59923 |
| Phone: (406) 293-9274 |
| Fax: (406) 293-9280 |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Libby Amphibole Asbestos
|
 Vermiculite was discovered in the Rainy Creek Mining District of Lincoln County, Montana, in 1916 by E.N. Alley. Alley formed the Zonolite Company and began commercial production of vermiculite in 1921. W.R. Grace purchased the mining operations in 1963. They greatly increased production of vermiculite which resulted in increased utilization of vermiculite in many forms of commercial products with one of the most popular being Zonolite insulation.
It was realized that the vermiculite ore bodies from the mine site called “Zonolite Mountain” contained amphibole asbestos at concentrations ranging up to nearly 100% in selected areas. Thus virtually all vermiculite from Zonolite Mountain was contaminated with the most toxic form of asbestos called Libby amphibole asbestos. These asbestiform mineral fibers have a chemical composition that transition between winchite, richterite, and tremolite, while also containing trace amounts of actinolite and ferro-edenite. The mineralogy of Libby amphibole asbestos is very unique both chemically and structurally. In addition, the Libby amphibole asbestos diseases have many unique characteristics. |
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
