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Last updated:
June 18, 2001
Ongoing News on Libby, Montana
Vermiculite Mine Controversy
| Libby is a small town in northwestern Montana. Its economy relied for many years on the Zonolite vermiculte mine, which also contained deadly tremolite (asbestos). Controversy surrounds the town, the mine owners, and the agencies responsible for protecting the miners and their families. Meanwhile the people of Libby continue to sicken and die. |
Grace
Files Bankruptcy Over Asbestos Claims (4/9/01)
Citing the growing costs of asbestos related lawsuits, W.R. Grace &
Co. has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The company to date
has received over 325,000 asbestos personal injury claims, and has paid
$1.9 billion to manage and resolve asbestos related suits. To view full
articles see: http://ens.lycos.com/ens/apr2001/2001L-04-03-09.html
or http://seattlep-i.nwsource.com/business/grace03.shtml.
EPA
Files Suit Against Grace for Cleanup Costs (4/9/01)
EPA is seeking payment from W.R. Grace for the cost of
investigation and cleanup in Libby, MT. The Agency filed its complaint in
federal district court in Missoula on March 30, 2001, to recover over $10
million that EPA has spent investigating and cleaning up asbestos
contamination from a vermiculite mine near Libby. The lawsuit also asks
the court for a declaratory judgment for any future costs expended by EPA
in further investigations and cleanup at the site. EPA’s cost recovery
lawsuit was filed shortly after the Montana federal Court ordered Grace to
provide EPA with access to the former mine site and two other properties
in Libby to conduct cleanup actions. Those cleanup actions will begin this
spring. For more information contact: Matthew Cohn at 303/312-6853 or Paul
Peronard at 303/312-6808.
EPA
Wins Access to Grace Properties (4/9/01)
The U.S. District Court in Missoula ruled in favor of EPA and the
Department of Justice, giving the federal government full access to the
W.R. Grace mine site and two other properties near Libby, Montana to
remove and dispose of asbestos-contaminated soil. Rejecting Grace's arguments, the
Judge ruled on March 9, 2001 that, "Defendants must allow access to
the Flyway, the Bluffs, and the Mine Site for all purposes." For more
information see: http://www.epa.gov/Region8/superfund/libby/2k1press1.html#contacts.
Mesothelioma Benchwork and
Clinical Research Grants, DEADLINE: June 15, 2001
The Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation announces its second
competition for mesothelioma benchwork and clinical research grants. MARF
is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charity whose mission is to eradicate
mesothelioma as a life-ending disease. Caused by asbestos exposure,
mesothelioma is a severe, usually fatal cancer of the linings of the lungs
or abdomen. Applications for funding of innovative developmental projects
are solicited to stimulate translational research for the treatment of
pleural or intraperitoneal mesothelioma. Proposed projects must address
issues related to treatment of the disease. Mechanistic investigations
that deal with causation will not be funded. For more information see: http://www.marf.org/ or http://www.marf.org/Grants/Grants.htm.
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Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Special ReportLinks to
Libby Articles/Info
For a sequential listing of articles see: http://seattlep-i.nwsource.com/national/asbx04.shtml
Department of Environmental Quality: Libby
Environmental Health Update
http://www.deq.state.mt.us/
libby/index.htm
EPA Information Center: The City of Libby
http://www.libbymontana.com/
epafaq.html or
http://www.libbymontana.
com/public.html
EPA Region 8: Libby, MT, Asbestos Response
http://www.epa.gov/region8/
superfund/libby/
Montana Asbestos
Consultants/Contractors/ Laboratories (DEQ
List)
PDF File
Libby "Yesterday and Today"
General information on Libby, Montana, at: http://www.libby.org/libbyacc/
history.html
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The Seattle Post-Intelligencier reports: "Almost everyone
believes that the mining, production, sale and use of asbestos in America
has been banned. They're wrong. Since November1999 [we have] published a
series of reports on the continuing risks posed by the nation's asbestos
legacy." Most recently, it is auto brake mechanics who are found
suffering. "Like former mine workers in Libby, Mont. they're being
unknowingly exposed to deadly amounts of asbestos. And, as in Libby, the
federal government long knew workers exposed to asbestos-contaminated dust
could die from lung disease." For the full article see: http://www.seattlep-i.com/opinion/asbed1.shtml.
After purchasing back two thirds of the stock in Kootenai Development, to
regain control over the Libby site, W.R. Grace officials informed EPA in
July, "The U.S. EPA and its representatives, contractors, agents, or
guests are hereby forbidden from entering" due to liability issues.
In response, and in order to accelerate efforts to clean up asbestos at
the mine (which has been blamed for more than 200 deaths), the Justice
Department has filed suit in federal court seeking immediate access to the
closed vermiculite mine and screening plant in Libby. For more information
see: http://seattlep-i.nwsource.com/uncivilaction/libb15.shtml.
Digestion Material for Asbestos (4/18/00)
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