A review of the federal government's health activities in response to asbestos-contaminated ore found in Libby, Montana
A review of the federal government's health activities in response to asbestos-contaminated ore found in Libby, Montana
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DOI：
10.1080/08958370600835161
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发表时间：
2006-11-01
影响因子：
2.1
通讯作者：
Anderson, Barbara
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Horton, Kevin;Kapil, Vikas;Anderson, Barbara
蛭石矿石是一种天然的纤维矿物，广泛用于各种消费品，如阁楼隔热材料、草坪和花园产品以及防火材料。虽然大多数蛭石矿石和产品不会对健康构成危害，但从蒙大拿州利比开采的蛭石被自然产生的石棉污染。联邦有毒物质和疾病登记局(ATSDR)记录了利比居民中大量与石棉有关的死亡事件。此外，作为正在进行的调查的一部分，ATSDR了解到，这些受污染的矿石被运往美国各地的数百个地点进行加工。虽然Libby矿现在已经关闭，但ATSDR和其他地方的研究表明，在Libby矿或蛭石加工设施工作的人，在这些设施运行时，可能接触到了危险水平的石棉。在这些地点附近生活或工作的人，如果接触到受污染的蛭石，也可能接触到石棉。长期接触石棉会导致严重的威胁生命的健康状况，包括石棉肺、肺癌和间皮瘤。作为回应，ATSDR发起了10项不同的活动，以帮助评估利比居民和美国各地可能接触到蒙大拿州发现的石棉污染矿石的人群的潜在健康影响。其中一些活动包括进行环境暴露评估、卫生统计审查、社区筛查和特定疾病监测。本文介绍了ATSDR和与之合作的州卫生部门迄今开展的各种后续活动。
Vermiculite ore is a naturally occurring fibrous mineral widely used in various consumer products, such as attic insulation, lawn and garden products, and fireproofing material. While most vermiculite ore and products do not pose a health hazard, the vermiculite mined from Libby, MT was contaminated with naturally occurring asbestos. The federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) has documented a significant number of asbestos-related deaths among Libby residents. Additionally, as part of the ongoing investigation, ATSDR has learned that this contaminated ore was shipped to hundreds of locations around the United States for processing. While the Libby mine is now closed, studies from ATSDR and elsewhere show that people who worked in the Libby mine or vermiculite processing facilities may have been exposed to hazardous levels of asbestos while the facilities were in operation. People who lived or worked near these sites also may have been exposed to asbestos if they came into contact with contaminated vermiculite. Prolonged exposure to asbestos can cause serious and life-threatening health conditions, including asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma. In response, ATSDR has initiated 10 different activities to help evaluate the potential health effects among Libby residents and populations throughout the United States who might have been exposed to the asbestos-contaminated ore found in Montana. Some of these activities include conducting environmental exposure evaluations, health statistics reviews, community screenings, and disease-specific surveillance. This article presents the various follow-up activities that have been conducted to date by ATSDR and partnering state health departments.