Mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases continue to be urgent public health concerns in Libby, Montana, where the Center for Asbestos Related Disease (CARD) has provided essential clinical services since 2002. In June 2025, renowned physicians, scientists, and asbestos experts gathered in Libby for a screening, outreach, and education retreat. While there, they reaffirmed the critical importance of CARD’s work, monitoring and treating the community that’s been so devastated by exposure to Libby Amphibole (LA) asbestos from W. R. Grace’s notorious vermiculite mine.
Mesothelioma Research Advances Through Scientific Collaboration
Mesothelioma and related diseases were the central topics during the two-day retreat, which was funded by the LOR Foundation and supported by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). CARD’s Scientific Advisory Group, including experts in pulmonology, radiology, occupational medicine, epidemiology, and immunology, provided groundbreaking updates on pleuro-pulmonary diseases, mortality studies, lung cancer screening results, and autoimmune diseases linked to LA exposure. Dr. Kinta Serve presented exciting discoveries about autoimmune responses and autoantibodies that drive asbestos-induced pleural fibrosis, while Dr. Brad Black emphasized the importance of early detection to improve treatment outcomes.
Mesothelioma awareness and prevention were the focus of Day 2’s public events, including a “Breathe in Science” rally for children and families, followed by an afternoon Science Expo. Community presentations addressed CARD’s mission, which continues despite challenges from a 2019 BNSF lawsuit. Experts, including Dr. Chris Weis, Dr. Jaime Szeinuk, and Dr. Raja Flores, spoke about the validity of asbestos disease diagnoses and the critical importance of preserving CARD’s screening, outreach, and educational activities to protect affected communities worldwide from natural and residual asbestos exposures.
Mesothelioma Diagnosis Qualifies Patients for Federal Healthcare Coverage
Mesothelioma is among the critical diagnoses for which the Affordable Care Act (ACA) provides free health screenings and Medicare coverage for Libby, Montana, residents. The EPA declared a Public Health Emergency in Libby in 2009, recognizing that the vermiculite mine operated by W. R. Grace & Co. had exposed the community through mining, processing plants, and widespread contamination of homes, yards, schools, and sports fields. CARD was chosen as the premier site to provide screenings to the population.
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, the Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net can help. Contact us at 1-800-692-8608 to learn more.
