Proceedings of the Libby, Montana asbestos education & outreach retreat

Proceedings of the Libby, Montana asbestos education & outreach retreat Jean C. Pfau discusses the history and health implications of the vermiculite mine in Libby, Montana, and the establishment of the Center for Asbestos-Related Disease (CARD), which offers vital clinical services for affected individuals. Additionally, a retreat in June 2025 allowed experts to share research findings on asbestos exposure. Libby, Montana, is known for its year-round recreation opportunities, its moderate climate (for Montana), and a notorious vermiculite mine. For decades, the mine supported the people and economy of Libby by providing stable employment for miners, loggers, processing plant workers, and many others. Sadly, along with the vermiculite came tiny needle- like fibers of a deadly fibrous mineral called Libby Amphibole (LA) asbestos. In 2009, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) declared a Public Health Emergency in Libby, calling for cleanup and funding for the medical care of affected residents. Shortly after, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) provided special provisions to pay for free health screenings and Medicare coverage. (1) Libby’s Center for Asbestos Related Disease (CARD), a 501-C-3 non-profit organization, has provided essential clinical services for people exposed to LA since 2002. It was chosen as the premier site to provide the screenings under the ACA.