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Home » Articles >> Mesothelioma in Different Regions >> Montana Mesothelioma Attorney, Facts and Figures |
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Montana Mesothelioma Attorney, Facts and Figures |
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Below are the figures for the number of deaths, mortality rate (per million population), and years of potential life lost (YPLL) in Montana in the year 1999, among residents aged 15 years and older.
State |
|
Crude Mortality |
Rate |
Rank |
|
Age-Adjusted Mortality |
Rate |
Rank |
|
VYLL to life Expectancy |
Total |
Rank |
VYLL/death |
Rank |
|
Montana |
10 |
43 |
14.21 |
15 |
13.38 |
20 |
124 |
46 |
12.4 |
45 |
These mesothelioma statistics are severely underestimated mainly because the town of Libby, Montana has one of the highest asbestos incidence/mortality rates in the continental United States. Libby is the site of the notorious W.R. Grace vermiculite mine. Normally, vermiculite ore does not pose a health hazard. However, the vermiculite from this town was extremely dangerous as it was contaminated with asbestos. During the exfoliation process of this ore, massive amounts of asbestos particles were released into the atmosphere giving rise to many grave diseases such as mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer in the surrounding areas.
Vermiculite was mined in Libby from the early 1920’s right up to 1990 when the mine was shut down. Although the Libby mine has been closed for more than a decade, many studies prove that the people who worked in the mine, at the vermiculite processing facilities, or near the mining site itself have been exposed to hazardous levels of asbestos.
According to the research, entire families in Libby have been diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma even though just one family member worked at the mine. Children in the area have also developed this cancer because they used to play in the contaminated vermiculite heaps that were found throughout the town.
Only 160 people have been killed by asbestos related diseases in the entire state of Montana since 1979 but it is estimated that between 92 and 148 people have died from mesothelioma alone. According the government data, roughly 448 shipments of vermiculite went from Libby to 13 different locations within the state between 1948 and 1993. Great Falls, Lewistown, Black Eagle, Kalispell, Billings, Bozeman, Missoula and Whitefish are some of cities and towns to have received multiple vermiculite shipments from Libby. It is important to note that most of this ore was sent to a processing plant in Great Falls
Mesothelioma in Libby, Montana
The town of Libby, Montana has the highest mesothelioma incidence in the country. Located in this town is the infamous W.R. Grace & Co. vermiculite mine that was contaminated with asbestos. When in operation, the mine not only exposed the miners to asbestos related diseases but also the entire town. According to studies conducted, over 70% of the people who have asbestos related diseases actually never worked in the mine themselves. They used to breathe in the thick dust that settled over the entire town when the mine was being excavated or had family members who brought home the asbestos dust on their work clothing.
In February 2005, a federal grand jury indicted W.R. Grace & Co. along with its executives for intentionally jeopardizing the lives of Libby residents and for concealing the health risks associated with the contaminated vermiculite. The company is alleged to have covered up this conspiracy for over 60 years which not only affected the residents of this town but thousands of others as well. Many shipments of this contaminated ore were sent all over the country. The indictment also reveals that 1,200 of Libby’s 8,000 residents have demonstrated asbestos-related lung abnormalities and more than two and a half tons of asbestos were released daily into the air in 1969.
There are many mesothelioma cases in Great Falls where a huge amount of the vermiculite was processed.
Contact a Mesothelioma attorney if you are suffering from this deadly disease and you contracted it due to an unsafe working environment. We have listed Mesothelioma attorneys in each state on this site to help you find suitable legal help. |
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