Asbestos and Libby Health- History

About Us

Background

Town Meeting Summaries

Dissemination

The University of Montana, in connection with both the University's National Rural Bioethics Project and a University grant from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, sponsors this web site. Our goal is to promote public understanding and education about the issues that surround asbestos exposure associated with mine operations that took place in and around the town of Libby, Montana. Studies conducted by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) and other federal agencies indicate that scientists, healthcare providers and the general population of Libby need wide-spread education opportunities that help address the challenges that accompany healthcare decisions associated with asbestos-related diseases. This web site is designed to give a broad range of information about asbestos as well as provide information regarding resources in the community of Libby.

The team working on this project includes:

Ann Freeman Cook, PhD, Director National Rural Bioethics Project
Dr. Cook received her MPA and PhD from The University of Montana and is the principle investigator for the project.

Helen A. Clarke, AA, On-Site Project Coordinator, National Rural Bioethics Project –Libby Ms. Clarke has AA degrees in Psychology and Liberal Arts and is the outreach coordinator in Libby, Montana. As On-Site Project Coordinator, she will work to develop understanding and collaboration between scientists and the Libby community.

Helena Hoas, PhD, Research Director, National Rural Bioethics Project
Dr. Hoas received her Fil. Lic. (Degree of Filosofie Licentiatexamen, equivalent of a U.S. PhD) from the School of Social Sciences, University of Umeå, Umeå, Sweden and is the co-investigator for the project.

Elizabeth A. Putnam, PhD, Assistant Professor, The University of Montana
Dr. Putnam received her PhD in Biomedical Sciences from the University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, Texas. Dr. Putnam is co-investigator and interprets the results of both her studies of asbestos-related diseases and those of other pertinent investigators and helps maintain the accuracy of the science as it is parlayed into lay terms