Congressmen want answers from the EPA about Libby asbestos
Montana’s congressional delegation, including U.S. Senators Max Baucus and Jon Tester and Representative Denny Rehberg, have asked the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to clarify future plans for Libby, Montana. In separate letters submitted to the EPA, the delegates asked for formal assurances that the government will see the Libby Superfund site cleanup and the beleaguered people of Libby through to the end. In addition, they want assurances that the EPA will continue to support the tiny town of 3,000 if the asbestos contamination issues turn out to be worse than anticipated. Already, 400 Libby residents have died of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases from the defunct W.R. Grace vermiculite mine.
The EPA set up camp in Libby more than a decade ago in the wake of serious health concerns that began to appear at the time, but their risk assessment study will not be completed for another five years. The EPA acknowledges that part of the delay is bureaucratic and that the problem is bigger than first anticipated.
For the full story, go to Great Falls Tribune.
