MESOTHELIOMA INFORMATION

New mesothelioma information is available every day. Workers that processed vermiculite from a mine in Libby, Montana at nine former plants located throughout the United States were exposed to asbestos and are at increased risk for developing asbestos related health problems, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry reports in public health consultations released in September of 2005.

The plants that processed Libby vermiculite are located in Dallas, TX; Ellwood City, PA; Honolulu, HI; Marysville, OH; New Orleans, LA; Newark, CA; New Castle, PA; Portland, OR; and Wilder, KY. Between 1966 and 1993, the former W.R. Grace Plant, located at 6851 Smith Avenue in Newark, CA processed vermiculite mined in Libby, MT. The major findings for the site are consistent with many of those found at the other 21 sites evaluated, mainly former workers are most at risk for asbestos exposure and those that lived with the former workers are also at risk. ATSDR recommends that any former workers of asbestos plants take specific steps to protect their health and improve quality of life by learning more about asbestos exposure, seeing a doctor with experience in asbestos related lung disease, quit smoking and get regular flu and pneumonia shots.

The Maune Raichle Law Firm will regularly update mesothelioma information on our site for your education. People could have been exposed to asbestos if they handled or played in waste rock, a by-product of vermiculite exfoliation. At some vermiculite plants, workers or people in the community may have brought waste rock from the plant to their homes. This waste rock was used in many ways, for example in gardens and as fill or driveway surfacing material. When processing vermiculite between 1966 and 1993, the Newark, Ca plant might have released dust and asbestos fibers into the air. ATSDR cannot determine the extent of exposure to former residents who lived near the plant but fear the worst.

Most current residents living around the former plant are not being exposed to asbestos from the site. The plant stopped processing asbestos-contaminated vermiculite in 1993. This disease is time related. There is not much time once symptoms begin to show so please see your doctor at once if you were exposed in one of these cities. Our site mesothelioma information is meant to help any client fearful of where to go or what to do next.

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