Timeframe: 2006 to 2007
IAI received funding from the federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) to evaluate existing data on cancer and mortality in California communities near facilities that received vermiculite ore. Vermiculite is a mineral used in construction and consumer materials, and agricultural, horticultural, and industrial products that contains asbestos-like fibers. Exposure to asbestos has been linked to several types of cancers, including lung, mesothelioma, bronchus, peritoneum, and pleura, as well as to non-cancer health conditions. A1-Lube received 1.5 tons of asbestos containing vermiculite from Libby, Montana, between 1964 and 1967. In 2006-2007, IAI met with concerned community members, surveyed the A-1 Lube facility, and reviewed environmental data for the area.
