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Vermiculite, respiratory disease and asbestos exposure in Libby, Montana: update of a cohort mortality study.

Authors

Sullivan-PA

Source

Environ Health Perspect 2007 Apr; 115(4):579-585

Link

http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.9481 

NIOSHTIC No.

20031410 

Abstract

Background. Vermiculite from the mine near Libby, Montana, is contaminated with tremolite asbestos and other amphibole fibers (winchite and richterite). Asbestos-contaminated Libby vermiculite was used in loose-fill attic insulation that remains in millions of homes in the U.S., Canada, and other countries. Objective. This report describes asbestos-related occupational respiratory disease mortality among workers who mined, milled, and processed the Libby vermiculite. Methods. This historical cohort mortality study uses life table analysis methods to compare the age-adjusted mortality experience through 2001 of 1,672 Libby workers to that of white men in the U.S. population. Results. Libby workers were significantly more likely to die from asbestosis (standardized mortality ratio [SMR] 165.8; 95% confidence interval [CI] 103.9, 251.1), lung cancer (SMR 1.7; 95% CI 1.4, 2.1), cancer of the pleura (SMR 23.3; 95% CI 6.3, 59.5), and mesothelioma. Mortality from asbestosis and lung cancer increased with increasing duration and cumulative exposure to airborne tremolite asbestos and other amphibole fibers. Conclusions. The observed dose-related increases in asbestosis and lung cancer mortality highlight the need for better understanding and control of exposures that may occur when homeowners or construction workers (including plumbers, cable installers, electricians, telephone repair personnel, and insulators) disturb loose-fill attic insulation made with asbestoscontaminated vermiculite from Libby, Montana.

Keywords

Asbestos-industry; Asbestos-mining; Asbestos-workers; Asbestosis; Respiratory-system-disorders; Pulmonary-system-disorders; Lung-disease; Environmental-exposure; Disease-incidence; Dose-response; Cancer; Cancer-rates; Mortality-data; Mortality-rates; Region-8

Contact

P.A. Sullivan, Sc.D., National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Division of Respiratory Disease Studies, 1095 Willowdale Road, Morgantown, WV 26505

CODEN

EVHPAZ

CAS No.

1332-21-4

Publication Date

20070401

Document Type

Journal Article

Email Address

PSullivan@cdc.gov

Fiscal Year

2007

NTIS Accession No.

NTIS Price

Issue of Publication

4

ISSN

0091-6765

NIOSH Division

DRDS

Source Name

Environmental Health Perspectives

State

MT; WV