Mesothelioma is a deadly condition and it is induced by the exposure to the toxic mineral asbestos, if you have been diagnosed with the condition, it is important to immediately acquire the assistance of a Montana mesothelioma lawyer. A Montana Mesothelioma attorney will guide you through the procedure of filing a lawsuit against the person or company responsible for causing the asbestos contamination that led to the development of the cancer.

The greatest complication of exposure to asbestos is a rare form of lung cancer known as mesothelioma.  Mesothelioma is fatal to humans. It is caused as a result of the inhalation or ingestion of asbestos fibers, which are very light and invisible to the naked eye. Asbestos was readily used to construct residential, commercial and industrial structures across America, as well as for insulation purposes, the wear and tear of which may release these fibers into the atmosphere.

Libby Montana and asbestos:

The events that occurred in Libby, Montana are most unfortunate as are the stories of the residents and workers of the state. It was in Montana that the operations of asbestos and vermiculite mining were conducted by the infamous WR Grace and Company for more than thirty years. WR Grace and Company took the ownership of these mines from the previous owners, who had operated them since the early 1920’s. The asbestos exposure that was caused as a result of these mining operations did not only affect the workers at the mining site, but also residents in the nearby areas, as well as the families of the workers and other people in the town.

The EPA has been an active part of Libby since the year 1999 ever since the area was found to be contaminated with asbestos and vermiculite mining fibers and deposits [1]. The EPA works to eliminate any deposits of the mineral that may pose threat to the health and lives of the workers and residents of the area and to prevent them from developing the dangerous diseases associated with asbestos exposure. The organization clears up the deposits of the mineral which are found in small quantities around residential and commercial areas of the town in order to protect the people. The organization has also made a series of long term plans to continue and resume the cleanup operation in order to rid the town of the asbestos deposits that have claimed the lives of many in the past.

Other Exposure Risk In Montana

While Libby is the most prominent location in Montana exposed to the threats posed by asbestos exposure, there are many other companies in the state that have placed workers and nearby residents in the risk and jeopardy of developing dangerous asbestos related diseases without warning them. There may be a high level of the mineral occurring naturally in Montana [2], but a large percentage of people in the state have also acquired exposure to the mineral at their work sites, and this means that the mineral poses occupational hazards as well. It is for this reason that it is extremely important for all workers and residents that have acquired direct or indirect exposure to the mineral from the work sites to seek immediate medical attention so as to be diagnosed and treated as early as possible in case of a disease.

Dangers of asbestos:

Asbestos is very deadly and commonly used for insulation in chemical plants and other industries that require fire proofing and insulation [3]. The reason why the inhalation of asbestos is harmful to health is because the fibers can either cause a cancer known as mesothelioma, which is fatal to humans, or it can cause asbestosis or lung cancer. Asbestos is naturally found and if disturbed can also contaminate the atmosphere around the place it is used. Many people who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma have been exposed to asbestos at the work place.

Asbestos contaminated sites in Montana:

There are a total of twelve sites that have been confirmed for asbestos exposure and contamination in the state of Montana. Asbestos exposure has been confirmed in nearly seven of the cities in the state and the number may rise in case of more natural deposits or asbestos being used industrially. The city with the greatest percentage of asbestos contamination in the whole state is Billings, which has four sites that can cause exposure of the mineral. There are many employers’ across America that don’t inform their workers of the hazards that are posed by asbestos exposure and hence place the lives of these employees into jeopardy. This is why it recommended that the services of Montana mesothelioma attorney must be hired immediately after a confirmed diagnosis has been made.

Asbestos related deaths in Montana:

According to records, 30 deaths were reported as a result of asbestos exposure associated diseases from Lincoln County between the years 1980 and 2000. There were four more deaths reported during this period as a result of mesothelioma, which is also caused due to asbestos exposure. As part of surveys, it was concluded that from a population of 2100 people living in Libby, 1200 have some form of disease which is associated to the exposure to asbestos [4]. Libby is located in the northwest corner of Montana, about sixty five miles from southern border of Canada and thirty five miles from the eastern border of Idaho. Libby is situated in a beautiful valley which lies by the Kootenai River and is surrounded by majestic mountains. There are less than three thousand people who reside in this valley, and nearly twelve thousand people who live in a ten mile radius of Libby. The Lincoln County seat is Libby. If you have lost a loved one to malignant mesothelioma you can file for a mesothelioma lawsuit by contacting a Montana mesothelioma lawyer.