CURRENT EVALUATION OF LIBBY ASBESTOS EXPOSURES

这个子项目是许多研究子项目中的一个 由NIH/NCRR资助的中心赠款提供的资源。子项目和 研究者（PI）可能从另一个NIH来源获得了主要资金， 因此可在其他CRISP条目中表示。所列机构为 研究中心，而研究中心不一定是研究者所在的机构。 历史上，从MT利比矿中提取的蛭石被整个存款矿脉中天然存在的纤维状和石棉状角闪石的有毒形式污染。 最近发现，在环境保护局限制矿区内、利比镇内以及沿镇西铁路走廊沿着采集的树皮样本也含有不同程度的闪石污染。 这个COBRE子项目由三个独立的具体目标组成。 目标1将通过分析树皮样本和分析气象数据，确定距矿场不同距离的污染程度。 这一目标将使环境保护局和环境健康科学中心的健康调查人员能够通过确定石棉羽在整个地区的分布来集中和改进他们的工作。 目标1的结果可以确定尚未发现的新的“热点”，可能避免未来的石棉接触，同时还可以确定木柴收获的安全地区。 目标2将解决在住宅供暖过程中燃烧受污染木材时闪石纤维会发生什么，并确定利比山谷的居民目前是否（潜在地）通过使用木炉接触石棉，这是利比最常见的住宅供暖形式。 目标2还将向居民提供关于燃烧受污染木柴的潜在风险的即时反馈，对利比以外的社区产生影响。 通过对铁路走廊附近树木的树皮样本进行分析，目标3将确定源自利比的特定铁路走廊（从华盛顿州的斯波坎到利比，再到蒙大拿州的大福尔斯）的石棉污染程度，以重现历史暴露路径。希望目标3中产生的结果将防止未来暴露于沿着这些走廊居住和工作的人。

This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. Vermiculite historically extracted from the Libby, MT mine was contaminated with a toxic form of naturally-occurring fibrous and asbestiform amphibole occurring in veins throughout the deposit. It has recently been discovered that tree bark samples collected within the EPA restricted mine area, within the town of Libby, and along the railroad corridor west of town also contain varying levels of amphibole contamination. This COBRE subproject is composed of three separate Specific Aims. Through the analysis of bark samples coupled with the analysis of meteorological data, Aim 1 will determine the extent of contamination at varying distances from the mine site. This Aim will enable the EPA and health investigators at the Center for Environmental Health Sciences to focus and refine their efforts by identifying where the asbestos plume was distributed throughout the area. Results of Aim 1 could identify new "hot spots" that have not yet been discovered, possibly averting future asbestos exposures, while also determining safe areas for firewood harvesting. Aim 2 will address what happens to amphibole fibers when contaminated wood is burned during residential home heating, and determine if the inhabitants of the Libby valley are (potentially) currently being exposed to asbestos through wood stove use, the most common form of residential home heating in Libby. Aim 2 will also provide immediate feedback to residents regarding potential risks in burning contaminated firewood, having an impact in communities well beyond Libby. Through the analysis of bark samples from trees in proximity to railroad corridors, Aim 3 will determine the extent of asbestos contamination in specific railroad corridors (from Spokane, WA to Libby to Great Falls, MT) originating from Libby in order to recreate the historical exposure path. It is hoped that the results generated in Aim 3 will prevent future exposures to those that reside and work along these corridors.