In response to the United States Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) identification of major sources of public asbestos exposure in Michigan and to address the need for early diagnosis and aggressive treatment of asbestos-related diseases, the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute and the Center for Occupational and Environmental Medicine (COEM) affiliated with Wayne State University joined forces to establish The National Center for Vermiculite and Asbestos-Related Cancers.

COEM has had a long interest in asbestos-related diseases and the Karmanos Cancer Institute is heavily involved in both clinical and basic research on asbestos-related cancers enabling the two centers to rapidly bring together the expertise and resources necessary to study the problem immediately.

The National Center for Vermiculite and Asbestos-Related Cancers is co-directed by John Graff, Ph.D., MS, Karmanos Cancer Institute and Wayne State University, and Michael Harbut, M.D., M.P.H., Chief of the Center for Occupational and Environmental Medicine. Its goals are to:

• Examine the health consequences of chronic exposure to asbestos contaminated vermiculite;
• Implement a program of early detection and treatment of human cancers and asbestosis resulting from chronic exposure to asbestos contaminated vermiculite including mesothelioma and lung cancer;
• Increase the basic scientific understanding of asbestos-related cancers;
• Provide a means to rapidly test large numbers of potentially affected individuals;
• Define populations at increased risk of asbestos exposure prior to it becoming a major medical-legal issue; and
• Intensify physician education of asbestos-related diseases

Make An Appointment

Persons exposed to asbestos-contaminated vermiculite -- either occupationally or environmentally -- should call (800) KARMANOS (1-800-527-6266) to make an appointment with the National Center for Vermiculite and Asbestos Related Cancers.

A representative will record and forward your contact information to the Center for Occupational and Environmental Medicine in Royal Oak, Michigan, which will contact you within 36 hours to ask additional questions and, if necessary, schedule an appointment with Dr. Michael Harbut.

If an asbestos-related disease is identified, Dr. Harbut will make appropriate referrals for further testing at the Karmanos Cancer Institute in Detroit, Michigan.

Primary care physicians of individuals visiting the center will remain highly involved in their patients care and kept thoroughly informed throughout the entire process.

The Asbestos Cancer and Mesothelioma Support Center