Libby Residents Concerned about Asbestos in Landfill

Residents of Libby, Montana, site of one of the nation’s worst environmental disasters, have already suffered for decades at the hands of a company who had little regard for their health. Now, say locals, they’ve been waited for months to find out from the EPA whether or not a large woodpile in a local landfill is also contaminated with asbestos.

A story aired on KTVQ News 8 notes that the Libby County Commissioners were hoping to receive an answer this week about the potentially contaminated woodpile sitting on the premises of the Troy Landfill. The news should come in the form of a letter, one for which the commissioners have been waiting a long time.

The story notes that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which has been working in Libby, Montana since 1999, claims that activity-based testing has determined that the wood chips are not contaminated. However, the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has reason to believe otherwise and has challenged those test results. Commissioner Tony Burget told the media that the EPA must reach an agreement with the DEQ before a letter can be submitted, hence, the delay.

For the people of Libby, the presence of asbestos in various places around town is a normal occurrence. This small Montana town, located not far from the Canadian border, was home to W.R. Grace and Co., a manufacturer that operated an asbestos-tainted vermiculite mine that caused thousands to become sickened with asbestos-related diseases. Hundreds have already died of diseases such as pleural mesothelioma and other cancers.

The EPA first came to Libby in December 1999 to collect samples from air, soil, dust and insulation at homes and businesses in the town, once regarded as an outdoor oasis for those who loved to commune with nature. Recognizing the seriousness of the situation in Libby, the town was placed on the National Priorities List in 2002. Clean-up continues.

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