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An Overview of the Libby Community Environmental Health Project
Updated June 28, 2000
Background
The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has received and is acting on requests for assistance from Senator Max S. Baucus and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding human health concerns related to possible exposure to asbestos in the Libby, Montana, area. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) was asked to evaluate human health concerns in Libby that may be related to asbestos. Several public health actions for this site are being developed in collaboration with EPA and state and local officials:
ATSDR, EPA, the Montana Department of Health and Human Services, the Lincoln County Environmental Health Department, and the Montana Department of Environmental Quality are participating agencies at Libby, Montana.
Planned medical testing program
The planned medical testing program is a joint effort of ATSDR and EPA designed to identify and examine people whose health may have been affected from having been exposed to asbestos in and near Libby, Montana. The program will evaluate program participants' current health status.
Details of the testing program were provided to the public on March 23 and 24 at public availability sessions in the Libby area. Public communications on the testing program are ongoing and will continue until the testing is completed.
The testing program began with phone calls to residents in the Libby area April 25. During these initial calls, residents were asked a few questions to determine their eligibility to participate.
Persons who have not been called, but who believe they are eligible, are encouraged to call 1-800-439-8308 immediately to determine their eligibility. Individuals who are determined to be eligible are responsible for providing their own transportation to the testing location.
The public was invited to comment on the medical testing protocol. Copies of the protocol were made available at the EPA and ATSDR Information Centers and at the March public availability sessions in Libby. Among the public comments received were questions regarding how people who might be eligible, but did not live in the Libby area could be tested and whether other tests could be used. Copies of the final protocol may be obtained by calling ATSDR toll-free at 1-888-42-ATSDR (1-888-422-8737).
Eligibility for testing
Persons eligible for testing include (1) former employees of W.R. Grace or Zonolite in the Libby area and household members of former employees, and (2) persons who lived, worked, played, or attended school in the Libby area for at least 6 months on or before December 31, 1990.
Persons living outside the Libby area who meet the testing criteria will be allowed to participate in the testing program. The testing is free, but they must provide their own transportation to the testing location.
Individuals who believe they are eligible for the testing should call the toll-free number (1-800-439-8308) as soon as possible to discuss an appointment.
Planned components of testing
Eligible participants will receive an appointment to come in for (1) a short face-to-face interview, (2) chest x-rays, and (3) a lung function test. Chest x-rays cannot detect asbestos in the lungs, but they are the most reliable way to identify changes in the lungs and lining of the lungs that might be the result of asbestos exposure.
A pulmonary function test, also known as a lung function test, measures air flow in and out of the lungs to see how the lungs are performing. The test is conducted by having the participant blow air rapidly and forcefully into the mouthpiece of a pulmonary function machine.
After the testing, a nurse or medical representative will answer any questions the participants have before they leave the testing area.
Results of testing
Participants will be notified of the results of the interview, the breathing test, and initial x-rays via letter approximately 3 months after they are tested. The x-ray films will be reviewed first by a local radiologist and then by three independent radiologic experts (not from Libby). The films and a summary of the results letter will be forwarded to a doctor specified by the participant.
If at any point in the testing process a physician identifies a possible health problem that may need immediate medical attention, the participant will be contacted by phone.
ATSDR public availability sessions and public information activities
Components of the proposed medical testing program were discussed in ATSDR public availability sessions on Thursday, March 23, 2000, from 2:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Hall, 108 W. 2nd Street, Libby; on Friday, March 24, 2000, from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Troy High School, 105 E. Missoula Street, Troy; and on Saturday, March 25 at the Lincoln County Health Fair.
Since March 17, 2000, ATSDR has staffed an office in Libby at 418 Mineral Avenue. The telephone number for the office is 406-293-7781, ext. 279.
ATSDR public communication activities
Calendar of current or upcoming public communications
Workshops for health care providers on identifying and treating stress responses of individuals affected by hazardous substances. (Open to the public.)
For other information, contact Kathy Skipper or Mike Groutt, ATSDR Office of Policy and External Affairs, at 770-488-0700, or via e-mail at the ATSDR Press Office at atsdrmediainquiries@cdc.gov.
This page last updated on June 28, 2000
Joanne Cox / JDCox@cdc.gov
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