EPA Leaving Libby After Massive Asbestos Cleanup

Mike Cirian came to Libby, Montana, in 2005 to lead the largest asbestos cleanup project in American history, a decontamination effort of unprecedented proportion. He never left. Cirian helped turn a dark, deadly past into a much brighter, celebrated future. As manager of the EPA’s asbestos Superfund site ­– stemming from the massive asbestos-contaminated vermiculite mine that killed hundreds and sickened thousands – Cirian is nearing the end of his role. On July 1, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency officially transferred oversight and responsibility for much of the sprawling project to the Montana Department of Environmental Quality, signaling another step forward in the transformation. “We did a lot of really good things here, made this area a wonderful place to live, work and play – without worry,” Cirian told The Mesothelioma Center at Asbestos.com. “We got the job done. Now it’s time to let it go, which will be hard, because of all we’ve put into it.” Libby Mine Site Still Under EPA Oversight Libby, the self-proclaimed City of Eagles, is ready for flight once again. The EPA will remain in control of the actual mine site – the root of the longest-running, manmade environmental disaster in U.S. history – but all other commercial and residential areas in Libby and nearby Troy have been cleared. It wasn’t easy. Although the W.R. Grace & Co. mine was closed 30 years ago, the operation spread toxic asbestos dust throughout the region for ...
Source: Asbestos and Mesothelioma News - Category: Environmental Health Authors: Source Type: news