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An Overview of the Libby Community Environmental Health Project

Updated April 17, 2000

Background

• Conduct a medical testing program for people who lived or worked in the Libby area during the time of highest exposure.

• Advise EPA on environmental sampling to develop a better understanding of patterns of exposure.

• Collect and analyze medical and epidemiologic information to understand the nature and extent of asbestos-related disease in the community.

• Work with other involved agencies to recommend actions that can be taken to limit further exposure to asbestos and to mitigate or prevent adverse health effects.

• Provide residents complete and current information on asbestos-related health risks. Work with area physicians and other medical professionals to help them obtain up-to-date information on the diagnosis and treatment of asbestos-related diseases.

The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Montana Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), the Lincoln County Environmental Health Department (LCEHD), and Montana Department of Environmental Quality.

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. Continued public communications on the testing are underway.

The testing program is currently scheduled to begin with phone calls to residents in the Libby area beginning April 25. In these calls residents will be asked a few questions to determine their eligibility to participate.

Persons living outside the Libby area but who want to participate can also call the toll free number beginning April 25 to determine their eligibility: 1-800-439-8308.

The public has been invited to comment on the medical testing protocol. Full copies of the protocol were made available at the ATSDR public availability sessions on March 23 and 24 in Libby, and at the EPA and ATSDR Information Centers. Copies can also be obtained by calling ATSDR toll-free at 1-888-42-ATSDR (1-888-422-8737). Written comments may be sent to: ATSDR, 1600 Clifton Road, ATTN: Dan Middleton, Mail Stop E-31, Atlanta, GA 30333. Comments must be received by ATSDR before close of business on April 18, 2000.

If comments are made by the public during the planned review of the testing protocol that require major changes in the testing program, the planned dates of providing the testing may be adjusted.

Eligibility for testing

Persons eligible for testing will include (1) former employees of W.R. Grace/Zonolite in the Libby area and household members of former employees, and (2) Persons who have lived, worked, or attended school in the Libby area for at least 6 months on or before December 31, 1990. Those persons living outside the Libby area who believe they meet the testing criteria, will be allowed to participate in the testing program at their own travel expense (testing is free); however, they must call 1-800-439-8308 to confirm their eligibility and make an appointment for testing.

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 a 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 interview results, breathing test, and initial x-ray results via letter at the end of the project.

The x-ray films will be reviewed first by a local radiologist and then by three independent radiologic experts (not from Libby) . A letter explaining the x-ray results will be sent to each participant at their home address. The films and a copy of the results letter will be forwarded to the doctor specified by the participant. If a participant is confirmed to have symptoms consistent with asbestos-related lung problems, the participant will be referred to a physician (the participant's personal physician or another qualified physician). Participants who have no current lung problems or symptoms will be instructed to contact their personal physicians if they develop breathing problems in the future.

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 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, ATSDR has staffed an office in Libby at 418 Mineral Avenue, phone 406-293-7781, ext. 279.

For more information about Asbestos, go to ATSDR ToxFAQs^TM.

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.

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This document last updated on May 2, 2000
Joanne Cox/JDCox@cdc.gov