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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
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EPA Declares Asbestos 'Emergency' in Mont. Town

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(Newser) – The Environmental Protection Agency has declared a “public health emergency” in a Montana town where 200 people have died from asbestos poisoning, CNN reports. For 10 years the EPA has been involved in a cleanup of Libby, contaminated by castoff from a nearby vermiculite mine and insulation plant. The mine operator was acquitted last month on criminal charges stemming from the deaths.

1,000 illnesses have also resulted from asbestos poisoning in Libby. “This is a tragic public health situation that has not received the recognition it deserves by the federal government for far too long,” said EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson. During her confirmation hearing, Montana Sen. Max Baucus urged the Obama administration to help the 12,000 Libby residents who’d been “hung out to dry.”

Former mine worker Mike Crill protests outside the Russell Smith Federal District Courthouse during opening arguments in the W.R. Grace trial in Missoula, Mont.
Former mine worker Mike Crill protests outside the Russell Smith Federal District Courthouse during opening arguments in the W.R. Grace trial in Missoula, Mont.   (AP Photo)
Former W.R. Grace & Co. executive Robert Bettachi, left, leaves Russell Smith Federal Courthouse with his wife Karen in Missoula, Mont.
Former W.R. Grace & Co. executive Robert Bettachi, left, leaves Russell Smith Federal Courthouse with his wife Karen in Missoula, Mont.   (AP Photo)
The W.R. Grace vermiculite mine near Libby, Mont.
The W.R. Grace vermiculite mine near Libby, Mont.   (AP Photo)
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OrderedChaos
Jun 17, 09 4:24 PM CDT
Why was the Mining operator acquitted from criminal charges of the deaths? If it has been declared an emergency, you would think that someone would be held responsible. Hopefully, those who have been affected, can file a civil case to at least get medical bills and after care compensation. Reply
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TerrifiedCitizen
Jun 17, 09 5:14 PM CDT
The laws he worked under may have been different; a lot of asbestos related laws came into being in 1983. The thing is, if asbestos is handled correctly in the mining and product manufacture phase, there is no replacement for it; it is one of the most durable and protective fibers we have. John Mansville and the Canadians ruined the use of it for everyone. Reply
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MrBisme
Jun 17, 09 9:40 PM CDT
The Libby mines were operating since 1919, well before asbestos was known to be dangerous. The company, W.R. Grace, paid out $60 mill to affected users of the product and was found not guilty with respect to criminally exposing the town to asbestos. The superfund spent $120 mil cleaning up the town. W.R. Grace voluntarily set up a medical fund for the people of Libby and has provided $17 mil in donations to that fund for the town of 2000 people. On another note, asbestos related deaths are 40 to 60 times higher than the expected levels found in surrounding areas. If Grace has been cleared of criminal intent, I don't see them being liable for these people and it sounds like they're doing the right thing by funding research and medical care for the residents of Libby. Reply
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Jezze
Jun 17, 09 11:28 PM CDT
if they know the town is that bad, why didnt they move... Reply
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IN RESPONSE:
Reader64481089
Jun 18, 09 8:18 AM CDT
Many people in such areas live hand to mouth, what ever they own, a home, car, whatever is all they have and to loose it would destroy them leaving them homeless. They purchased long before the dangers were known and now are trapped much like many other mining areas where residents are stranded. In a Nutshell, they are the lower end of the working poor and have no other options.
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