EPA: Asbestos Is Not a Threat to Residents of Libby, Montana

The Environmental Protection Agency says the picturesque mountain town of Libby, Montana — once contaminated by deadly asbestos — is safe again for residents. After 15 years of asbestos cleanup, the federal agency released its long-delayed health assessment in December 2014, stating that while it's impossible to remove all asbestos from Libby and nearby Troy, "air asbestos concentrations today are up to 100,000 times lower than when the [asbestos] mine and processing facilities were operating." "Our risk assessment shows that EPA’s indoor and outdoor cleanups have been effective in reducing both cancer and non-cancer risks in Libby and Troy," an EPA summary report shows. "This means that EPA’s cleanup work results in acceptable risk levels." Health experts estimate more than 400 people in Libby and nearby Troy have died of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases stemming from asbestos contamination in the area's mining industry. While the Superfund cleanup at Libby continues, the EPA will hold meetings over the next few months to explain the 328-page report, field comments from the public and issue a plan for cleanup. Senior toxicologist Dr. Deborah McKean said final cleanup details will be announced in mid-2015. Rebecca Thomas, EPA project manager for the Libby Asbestos Project said, “Libby residents have been briefed on the draft and we are making every effort to finalize as soon as possible.” Cleanup Efforts In 2002, the EPA declared Libby a Superfund...
Source: Asbestos and Mesothelioma News - Category: Environmental Health Authors: Tags: Asbestos Exposure & Bans Source Type: news