Libby, Montana has been in the news a lot this year, most recently for two major initiatives to assist those affected by asbestos exposure.  After Libby was declared a public health emergency back in June a $6 million grant was designated to treat residents with asbestos-related diseases.  The grant will provide much needed medical care in two categories – screenings and health care.

Screenings and diagnostic tests for asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma and lung cancer are expensive.  This new grant will allow people to get initial screening and be tested more often.  Better screening can lead to earlier diagnosis, increased treatment options, and better quality of life.  The screenings began November 16th.

The health care component will assist in two ways.  For patients that have existing health coverage, the money will cover remaining treatment costs.  For patients without health insurance, the funds will cover their treatment costs.  Health benefits started on November 9th.

The second grant will allow a team of researchers to investigate the disease pathology in Libby and determine recommended cleanup efforts.  The project is know as the Libby Epidemiology Research Program and is a collaboration between Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Libby’s Center for Asbestos Related Disease (CARD), researchers from the University of Montana and Idaho State University, and a national scientific advisory group.  The $4.8 million grant is provided by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry of the federal Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

The research will cover three topics related to asbestos exposure in Libby.  The first area will focus on risks of asbestos exposure during childhood in the town.  The second area will compare lung scarring for residents exposed only in the environment (not their place of employment).  The last area being studied is the relationship between autoimmune disorders, autoimmune antibody abnormalities, and CT-scan evidence of scarring lung disease specific to the those exposed to asbestos asbestos in Libby, Montana.

Both initiatives should provide some relief to the residents who have been devastated by the affects of asbestos exposure for decades. 

For more information:  Federal Funding for Libby Health Care Begins and Study on asbestos-related diseases in Libby launched