Libby, Montana, rests between two mountain ranges in the very northwestern corner of the state. The town, surrounded by various waterways and mountains, once enjoyed a healthy logging industry. That all changed in 1919 when Edward N. Alley discovered vermiculite (also known as Zonolite), a mineral used primarily to insulate and fireproof, in the mountains about seven miles out of town.
These industries are doubly dangerous if you smoke
Workers in industries with the highest rates of exposure to asbestos also smoke cigarettes at high rates. A study shows why this is problematic. The study revealed how asbestos and tobacco, together, increase the risk of developing lung cancer.
Holding emergency service workers responsible for wrongful deaths
As a nation, we rely on emergency service providers -- 911 operators, firefighters, emergency medical technicians and others -- to assist us in our time of need. When they fail, can they be held accountable?
Accountability for sailor’s asbestos exposure seems lost at sea
Two widows blame the deaths of their U.S. Navy sailor husbands on asbestos exposure while at sea. Adding to the tragedy, accountability seems lost in the Bermuda Triangle.
Adjusting to life with a chronic illness
When you've been diagnosed with a serious, chronic illness, the immediate focus is usually on the physical effects of the disease. There's testing, more testing, visits to doctors, consultations with specialists and new medications or treatments to try.
Millions of homes have asbestos. Has your pet been exposed?
The scientific community agrees that exposure to asbestos may lead to a rare form of cancer called mesothelioma. Did you know that your pets may be at risk as well?
Is surgery for pleural mesothelioma worth the risk?
Over the years, the treatments have changed a lot for mesothelioma. There have been advancements and trends, and while there is still no cure for this terrible disease, at any given moment there is always one course of action that claims to be better than the rest.
What to do if the home you are buying or selling has asbestos
Buying and selling real estate can be stressful. There is a lot of money on the line and a lot of details to consider. You might think that asbestos would no longer be one of those details, but it is still a very real threat to the health of you and your family.
Reduce your risk of an asbestos-related disease with this tip
Asbestos is a substance that occurs naturally. Consequently, virtually everyone experiences a small amount of asbestos exposure at some point -- but not everyone becomes sick.
Were you exposed to asbestos from an unlabeled product?
While there are some countries that have completely banned asbestos from use, the United States is still not one of them. The rationalization is that, by heavily regulating the use of asbestos, consumers can continue to benefit from products that contain asbestos while mitigating the risk.
Do you have certain risk factors for mesothelioma?
At this point in the research on cancer, it is no longer news that an earlier diagnosis leads to a better prognosis. With some cancers such as mesothelioma, however, early detection can be difficult. It can take decades to start showing symptoms, and, even then, those symptoms can be easy to dismiss.
Getting support after a mesothelioma diagnosis
Even if you had suspicions that you might have mesothelioma, getting an official diagnosis can be frightening. Not only are you sick, the disease has no known cure.
