Tremolite Asbestos Registry Expert Work Group Meeting Held February 13-14, 2002, in Atlanta, Georgia

摘要

Vermiculite mining and near the city of Libby, Montana began in the 1920's and was continued by the W.R. Grace Company from 1963 until 1990. The vermiculite ore taken from mining operations in Libby was contaminated with tremolite asbestos. In 1999, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) was asked by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Montana Congressional Delegation, and others to evaluate human health concerns in Libby that were related to asbestos exposure. Based on ATSDR's mandate in the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) to create exposure and disease registries, the agency committed to creating the Tremolite Asbestos Registry (TAR), which will be a listing of individuals with asbestos-related abnormalities or those at high risk of developing asbestos-related abnormalities because of exposure to asbestos from the Libby site. Given the complexity and significance of this action, the Agency invited experts in the fields of asbestos health effects and body burden research, clinical medicine, and epidemiologic methodology research to provide advice to the Agency for its consideration in the design of the TAR and development of appropriate research using the TAR as a source for exposure information and preliminary medical information for study populations. The TAR Expert Work Group met February 13-14, 2002, in Atlanta, Georgia, to bring their expertise to bear on TAR-related issues. The Work Group did not consider resource constraints as a part of their discussions. This document provides valuable information and ideas regarding tremolite asbestos and registries for ATSDR and other environmental health investigators in the public or private sectors.