Mesothelioma and asbestos-related lung cancer are well-established results of asbestos exposure, but for residents of Libby, Montana, high levels of exposure have led to additional outcomes. According to a gathering of renowned physicians and scientists who met there in June 2025, the amphibole asbestos that came from the Libby mines has also been associated with a significantly increased risk for systemic autoimmune diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis.
Libby Amphibole Asbestos’ Risks Go Beyond Mesothelioma & Lung Cancer
The two-day conference highlighted findings from the Center for Asbestos Related Disease (CARD), a nonprofit organization that provides clinical services to those diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other diseases caused by exposure to asbestos from Libby’s vermiculite mine. The EPA declared a Public Health Emergency in Libby in 2009, leading to an extensive environmental cleanup and the approval of funding for medical care of affected residents through special Affordable Care Act provisions.
Libby residents with mesothelioma diagnoses have been approved for special ACA coverage, and the same is true for victims of several cancers, asbestosis, and pleural disease, but CARD began screening for systemic autoimmune diseases and autoantibodies in 2019 after extensive research validated that amphibole asbestos fibers, like those from the Libby mines, significantly increased their risk. At the June conference, Dr. Kinta Serve of Idaho State University reported on his laboratory’s exploration of the mechanisms behind autoimmune responses evoked by Libby Amphibole. Dr. Curtis Noonan of the University of Montana pointed to the importance of continued population monitoring after lung cancer screening found cases of emphysema, coronary artery calcification, and other conditions.
Community Faces Ongoing Challenges from Lung Cancer, Mesothelioma, and Other Illnesses
The diagnostic tools essential to identifying mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other illnesses in those exposed to Libby Amphibole are improving, and physicians can detect illnesses earlier through the use of new objective technologies, including computerized CT scan image analysis and ultrasound. Attendees of the conference agreed that diseases caused specifically by Libby Amphibole, including autoimmune diseases, exist. This validation, in addition to better tools for early diagnosis and therapies, is essential for improving outcomes for those exposed to the product around the world.
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with an illness associated with Libby Amphibole Asbestos or any other asbestos exposure, the Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net can help. Contact us today at 1-800-692-8608 to learn more.
