Health

Libby Montana to get $130 million asbestos cleanup grant

by Amy Judd | June 17, 2009 at 05:44 pm

148 views | 14 Recommendations | 5 comments

The town of Libby Montana is getting a $130 million asbestos cleanup grant from the U.S Government after over 200 people have died from asbestos contamination in this area of northwestern Montana. The Environmental Protection Agency announced the decision today.

There used to be a mine outside Libby, which has left a toxic legacy that has been investigated since 1999. The entire town was contaminated with asbestos-laced dust that caused the death of over 200 people and over 1,000 people to fall ill.

"For decades, the disease and death rate from asbestosis in the Libby area was staggeringly high -- much higher than the national average," Jackson told reporters.

Not only did dust from the mine spread all over Libby and the neighboring town of Troy for decades, but tailings from the facility also were used as fill for driveways, gardens and playgrounds, she said.

"Literally no matter where these residents turned, they were being exposed yet again," Jackson said. She said the declaration "should be a reminder of the serious consequences of mismanaging hazardous material."

About six million will go to local health care to treat and diagnose asbestos-related illnesses, while about $125 million to go to clean-up of contanimated areas. This new money will mean that the EPA has given about $333 million to this town.

The agency still needs to conduct "significant research" into the health effects of the type of asbestos that has been spread around town since the 1920s, she said, and does not yet know how many properties will need to be cleaned up.

The mine outside Libby was producing vermiculite, which is used in insulation, in 1919. The dust from the plant covered the nearby houses, grass, cars and became part of the air the residents' breathed. However, it also contained tremolite asbestos, that has been linked to mesothelioma, a form of cancer that attacks the lungs, abdomen or heart.

In May 2009, a jury acquitted mine operator W.R Grace and three other executives of criminal charges, and prosecutors argued that the mine operators knowingly released the toxic substance and tried to divert the community's attention from what was happening.

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QueensHart

at 19:13 on June 17th, 2009

Roy C

at 20:38 on June 17th, 2009

I would like to know on what basis did the jury acquit the company?

Paschen

at 23:48 on June 17th, 2009

The Mine still needs to pay for environmental damages caused.

The US environmental laws need to be much more sever.

jazzyzazzy

at 00:02 on June 18th, 2009

I think we need to be grateful for every little bit of progress here.

jackstraw16 (not verified)

at 17:33 on June 22nd, 2009

This isn't the good news it appears to be. There no new money for Libby in this. Check out http://www.asbestoswatch.net/2009/06/19/for-asbestos-polluter-epa-times-libby-emergency-declaration-perfectly/