1. Asbestos in Montana
A presentation of the geological, ecological, and social implications of Vermiculite mining near Libby, Montana
Christopher Currie
Olivia Thomson
Geology 361

2. Introduction Vermiculite Mining in Libby, Montana
Zonolite Brand Vermiculite supplied 90% of World
Tremolite (Asbestos) Contamination from Mining and Environmental Pollution
Seattle Post-Intellingencer Breaks Story in 1999
Revealed W.R. Grace & Company hid affects of
Asbestos from Residents
Largest US Environmental Litigation takes place in Montana
Disease rate 40-60% larger
than national average.
Hundreds Killed & Thousands Affected

3. Geology Local Libby Geology Rainy Creek Igneous Complex Vermiculite
Sources, Uses, Methods of Extraction
Environmental Issues
Exfoliated Asbestos within Vermiculite Ore

4. What is Asbestos?
Vermiculite Tremolite -
Ca2 Mg5 Si8 O22 (OH)2
Zonolite brand Vermiculite and its uses
Fireproofing, Insulation, Ceiling Tiles, Heat Disperal
In Libby: Yards, Football Fields, Playgrounds, Parks
A common insulation found in many building, including the one you are in now…

5. Libby as a Case Study History of Local Mining Libby’s Contamination
Libby Clean-up and Superfund
Litigation and Ongoing Struggles
Mesothelioma, Cancer
EPA Declares Public Health Emergency
W.R. Grace acquitted in 2009 Case

6. Lessons and Conclusions
Moving Forward
in Libby
A Legacy of Mining in
Rural Western Communities
Libby and its Relationship to Environmental Geology
Social, Ecological,
and Geological Issues

7. Sources Cited http://www.epa.gov/libby/
Bandli, B. R., Gunter, M. E., Twamley, B., Foit, F. F., Jr., and Cornelius, S. B Optical, compositional, morphological, and x-ray data on eleven particles of amphibole from Libby, Montana, U.S.A. Can. Mineral. 41:
Bandli, B. R., Gunter, M. E A Review of scientific literature examining the mining history, geology, mineralogy, and amphibole asbestos health effects of the rainy creek Igneous complex, Libby, Montana, U.S.A. Informa Healthcare
Gunter, M. E., Dyar, M. D., Twamley, B., Foit, F. F., and Cornelius, S Composition, Fe3+ / 􏰀Fe, and crystal structure of non- asbestiform and asbestiform amphiboles from Libby, Montana, U.S.A. Am. Mineral. 88:
Gunter, M. E., Singleton, E., Bandli, B. R., Meeker, G., and Lowers, H. A Differentiation of commercial vermiculite based on statis- tical analysis of bulk chemical data: Fingerprinting vermiculite from Libby, Montana U.S.A. Am. Mineral. 90: