In recent weeks, there have been a series of news reports on asbestos-related illnesses among people living in one Montana mining community. These reports have raised concern about potential asbestos exposure for miners, their families and communities. Background The Montana case described above concerned a vermiculite mine which operated for over 50 years and closed in 1989. The vermiculite ore was known to contain tremolite asbestos, a rare type of asbestos. Over its years of operation, the mine released asbestos-containing dust into the community, and miners unknowingly carried the dust home on their clothing and in their personal vehicles.
Asbestos occurs naturally, and is found in seams or veins in some igneous or metamorphic rocks.
Asbestos is dangerous when its microscopic fibers become airborne and are inhaled or swallowed. The best way to prevent asbestos-related diseases is to avoid breathing these fibers. There are two ways that miners could be exposed to asbestos. Asbestos occurs naturally and is found in seams or veins in some igneous or metamorphic rocks. Dust samples collected by MSHA have found asbestos fibers at primarily talc mines, vermiculite mines, and asbestos mines.