Reconnaissance Study of the Geology of U.S. Vermiculite Deposits - Are Asbestos Minerals Common Constituents?
http://pubs.usgs.gov/bul/b2192/

United States Geological Survey


Unusually high incidences of asbestos-related mortality and respiratory disease in the town of Libby, Montana, have been linked to amphibole mineral fibers intergrown with the vermiculite deposits mined and milled near the town from 1923 to 1990. Prompted by this discovery, the U.S. Geological Survey undertook an investigation of the mineral content of other U.S. vermiculite deposits to determine if the amphibole asbestos minerals like those found in the Libby deposits are common in other vermiculite deposits. This site discusses the preliminary results of that study and the conclusion that the asbestiform amphibole mineralogy of the Libby deposit is not unique, and that vermiculite deposits associated with zoned, alkalic/calcic, quartz-poor plutons, especially those with characteristics of carbonatite intrusions, may be likely to contain fibrous amphiboles.

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Part of the Cutting Edge collection. The NAGT/DLESE On the Cutting Edge project helps geoscience faculty stay up-to-date with both geoscience research and teaching methods.

Cutting Edge

Subject: Geoscience:Geology:Environmental Geology, Mineralogy:Environmental Mineralogy
Resource Type: Scientific Resources:Research Results, Overview/Reference Work
Grade Level: Graduate/Professional, College Upper (15-16)
Geochemistry Applications: Mineral Deposits, Environmental Geochemistry
Health Topics: Epidemiology and Risk Analysis, Airborne Transport Processes, Minerals
Theme: Teach the Earth:Course Topics:Mineralogy, Environmental GeologyKeywords: asbestos-bearing materials, lung disease