title: Environmental exposure to Libby Asbestos and mesotheliomas.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Thirty-one cases of mesothelioma resulting from exposure to Libby Asbestos have been identified from Libby, Montana. Eleven cases not previously reported are the subject of this report.
  
  
  METHODS
  These cases are in non-occupationally exposed people, appearing to have resulted from exposure to contamination of the community, the surrounding forested area, and areas in proximity to the Kootenai river and railroad tracks used to haul vermiculite.
  
  
  RESULTS
  These exposures are considered to be of a low degree of magnitude, but are similar to those in Western Australia's crocidolite mine at Wittenoom Gorge. An epidemic of mesothelioma can likely be expected from this type of asbestos contamination over the next 20 plus years.
authors.affiliation: Center for Asbestos Related Disease, Libby, Montana, USA. alanwhitehouse47@gmail.com
authors.forename: Alan C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Whitehouse
authors.forename: C Bradford
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Black
authors.forename: Mark S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Heppe
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ruckdeschel
authors.forename: Stephen M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Levin
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001194:Asbestos / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced*; D008297:Male; D008654:Mesothelioma / Q000139:chemically induced*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009009:Montana; D010534:Peritoneal Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced; D012111:Residence Characteristics
chemical_list: D001194:Asbestos