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Asbestos-contaminated Libby vermiculite dust

Dust from vermiculite originating from the Libby, Montana mine, where amphibole asbestos fibers contaminated the ore. This profile does not generalize the findings to uncontaminated vermiculite.

Airborne form

fiber

The form describes what is suspended in air at the point of exposure. A material can produce more than one form, such as dust during handling and fume during heating.

Health effects

asbestosis concernlung cancer concernmalignant mesothelioma concernpleural disease concernnonmalignant respiratory disease concern

Evidence

NIOSH states that the observed health effects are associated with asbestos-contaminated vermiculite rather than vermiculite itself, and identifies asbestosis, lung cancer, and malignant mesothelioma among the asbestos-related diseases of concern.

Source: pdf ↗ · saved source
page 1 · What are the health effects caused by asbestos? · 1
Based on available information, there is no clear evidence that dust from vermiculite itself causes any serious health effects. The observed health effects associated with asbestos-contaminated vermiculite can be attributed to contaminant fibers, rather than to vermiculite itself. Exposure to asbestos can result in a scarring disease of the lung known as asbestosis, inflammation of the chest cavity (pleuritis) with or without fluid build-up, lung cancer, and another type of cancer known as malignant mesothelioma.

NIOSH reports significant excesses of asbestosis and lung cancer among workers at vermiculite operations in and around Libby, and recommends minimizing dust generation and inhalation when handling material known or presumed to be contaminated.

Source: pdf ↗ · saved source
page 1 · Is NIOSH involved in research or prevention activities relating to asbestos-contaminated vermiculite? · 1
That study found significant excesses of asbestosis and lung cancer related to contaminant fiber exposures among workers at the vermiculite operations in and around the mine near Libby. While information continues to be gathered, precautions should be taken to minimize the generation and inhalation of dust during the handling of vermiculite known or presumed to be contaminated by asbestos.

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