Mesothelioma and asbestos exposure in Montana
Libby, Montana, is the source of the asbestos-contaminated vermiculite that was shipped across the country, and the site of the first public health emergency EPA declared under the Superfund law. This page summarizes the federal record, Montana's deadlines, and where to find care.
Last reviewed October 28, 2026 against the sources listed at the end of this page.
In short
- Documented sources: The vermiculite mine and town of Libby (Lincoln County).
- Deadlines: personal injury 3 years (Mont. Code Ann. 27-2-204(1)); wrongful death 3 years (Mont. Code Ann. 27-2-204(2)).
- Care: no NCI-designated center in the state; nearby centers are listed below, plus 1 VA health care systems.
- Confirm every deadline with a lawyer licensed in the state.
Documented asbestos exposure in Montana
We list only sites where asbestos is documented by a government agency or published research. Many other workplaces in Montana likely used asbestos-containing insulation and equipment, but we do not name a site unless we can point to a record.
The vermiculite mine and town of Libby (Lincoln County)
Vermiculite was mined near Libby from the 1920s until 1990, and W.R. Grace bought the operation in 1963. According to EPA, the mine supplied more than 70% of the vermiculite sold in the United States from 1919 to 1990. The vermiculite was contaminated with amphibole asbestos. EPA began cleanup in Libby in 2000, the site was added to the National Priorities List in 2002, and in June 2009 EPA declared its first public health emergency under the Superfund law there, alongside federal funding for medical care for affected residents.
Federal health agencies have documented the harm. ATSDR reported that asbestosis death rates in the Libby community from 1979 to 1998 were 40 to 80 times higher than expected and lung cancer death rates 20% to 30% higher. NIOSH scientists found asbestosis deaths among 1,672 Libby vermiculite workers were 165 times higher than expected and documented 15 mesothelioma deaths in that group. In community screening, nearly 18% of more than 7,300 people had chest X-ray changes consistent with asbestos exposure, as did 51% of 365 former workers.
Montana filing deadlines
| Claim | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Personal injury | 3 years | Mont. Code Ann. 27-2-204(1) |
| Wrongful death | 3 years | Mont. Code Ann. 27-2-204(2) |
Montana allows three years for personal injury (Mont. Code Ann. 27-2-204(1)) and three years for wrongful death (27-2-204(2)).
Deadlines and discovery rules change and depend on the facts. Confirm them with a lawyer licensed in Montana. Compare other states in our national table.
Treatment in Montana
NCI's list (updated June 10, 2026) has no designated cancer center in Montana. The closest options are in neighboring states:
| State | Center (NCI profile) | Institution and location, as NCI lists it |
|---|---|---|
| Utah | Huntsman Cancer Institute | University of Utah Salt Lake City, Utah |
| Colorado | University of Colorado Cancer Center | Aurora, Colorado |
| Washington | Fred Hutchinson/University of Washington/Seattle Children’s Cancer Consortium | Seattle, Washington |
VA health care in Montana
Veterans with asbestos-related illness can get care through VA. These VA health care systems serve Montana; each system's page lists its medical centers and clinics:
For benefits, see veterans and VA benefits or our veteran claim help form.
Workers' compensation
Work-related illness may fall under Montana Department of Labor and Industry, Workers' Compensation Claims Assistance. Each state's system has its own notice and filing deadlines. NCI notes that federal civilian employees and longshore and harbor workers have separate federal programs through the U.S. Department of Labor.
Other states
California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, Washington. See all states.
Tell us what happened. A lawyer from a participating firm can call you to talk through your options.
Start the free reviewCommon questions
I never worked at the mine but lived in Libby. Could I have been exposed?
Federal agencies found that many Libby residents who never worked at the mine were exposed, including household contacts of workers. Tell your doctor you lived in Libby, and ask about the federal medical care programs for the area.
I live elsewhere. Could Libby vermiculite affect me?
Vermiculite from Libby was shipped to processing plants across the country. See our other state pages for the plants ATSDR studied, and tell your doctor if you worked at or lived near one.
This page is general information, not legal advice. Laws and deadlines differ by state and change; confirm anything that matters with a licensed attorney in your state. No one can promise how a claim will turn out.
Sources
- EPA announces public health emergency in Libby, Montana (U.S. EPA news release, June 17, 2009)
- Summary report: exposure to asbestos-containing vermiculite from Libby, Montana, at 28 processing sites in the United States (ATSDR, 2008; copy hosted by EPA)
- Mont. Code Ann. 27-2-204(1) (Montana official code)
- Find an NCI-designated cancer center (National Cancer Institute, list updated June 10, 2026)
- VA health care systems serving Montana (VA.gov)
- Montana Department of Labor and Industry, Workers' Compensation Claims Assistance