A Comparison of Environmental Concerns in Two Disparate Montana and Nevada Communities

Asbestos refers to six fibrous minerals that occur naturally in the environment in the United States and throughout the world. Deposits may be found in soil, rocks, and deposits of other minerals such as vermiculite and talc. These naturally occurring asbestos (NOA) minerals belong to the serpentine and amphibole family of minerals. This chapter reports shared components of community-driven environmental concerns related to exposure to NOA in a rural Montana and a suburban Nevada community. The specific aim is to establish an understanding of the community and community member's primary concern(s) related to NOA in both communities. The knowledge that NOA is commonly found in areas across the United States supports the need for additional research into the health effects of environmental exposure and best-practices to reduce exposure risk while allowing communities to thrive economically.