EHAP was asked by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) to evaluate the public health significance of exposure to asbestos at this site, which is one of 28 major former processors nationwide of vermiculite from Libby, Montana. We know know that vermiculite from Libby contained asbestos.

In the News

• Clean-up complete, assessment finds former vermiculite plant is not a health hazard - April 23, 2008
• Study finds asbestos exposure to former Portland-area vermiculite plant workers - May 23, 2006
• Study indicates possible asbestos exposure of former Portland-area vermiculite plant workers - Sept. 22, 2005

Reports

• (Former) Vermiculite Northwest Final Removal and Clean-Up Health Consultation (pdf)
• (Former) Vermiculite Northwest Health Consultation (pdf)

Educational Materials

• Vermiculite Northwest Summary Factsheet 2008
• Vermiculite Northwest Neighborhood Health Alert
• Vermiculite Northwest Summary Factsheet 2005
• ATSDR Living with Asbestos-Related Illness (pdf)
• ATSDR Asbestos Resource Webpage

Oregon Tobacco Quitline (pdf)  Quit Smoking Resources:
One of the best ways to care for yourself if you have been exposed to asbestos is to avoid cigarette smoke. Smoking can increase the rate of disease progression and also increases the risk of lung cancer.

Health Provider Packet- The materials listed below were developed for you to take to your health care practitioner:

• Patients Exposed to Asbestos: What's A Provider To Do? (pdf)
• American Thoracic Society's Diagnosis and Initial Management of Nonmalignant Diseases Related to Asbestos (pdf)
• ATSDR's Clinical Screening Guidelines for Asbestos-Related Lung Disease (pdf)
• ATSDR's Taking an Exposure History - form (pdf)
• ATSDR's Asbestos Disease: An Overview for Clinicians (pdf)