Libby Asbestos Super Fund Site - Libby, MT
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T0SHEA
N 48° 23.890 W 115° 33.119
11U E 607180 N 5361569
A pavilion and picnic area were built in a new park on the south bank of the Kootenai River in Libby. They were built as a memorial to all the residents of the area who have suffered or died as a result of vermiculite mining in the area.
Waymark Code: WMWZBW
Location: Montana, United States
Date Posted: 11/03/2017
Views: 0
Libby's problem began in 1919 when companies began mining vermiculite from a site seven miles northeast of the town. Mining continued for many decades, with the mine being acquired by the WR Grace company in 1963. WR Grace executives stated that they were "unaware of the hazards of mining and milling vermiculite" when they purchased the property. Apparently, however, they were aware of the hazards, but said nothing.
The root cause of the problem was contamination of the vermiculite in the mine by asbestos, a highly carcinogenic material. The vermiculite was used not only for insulation in buildings around the world, but in the town of Libby was it used as fill in playgrounds, backyards, gardens and roads, spreading the asbestos dust throughout the town.
After many asbestos related deaths and illnesses in Libby, the EPA became involved in 1999. Libby was placed on the Superfund list in 2002 and in 2008 WR Grace was ordered to pay $250,000,000 to aid in the cleanup. As of 2010, the EPA had cleaned up 1,460 businesses and residences and had removed over 900,000 cubic yards of contaminated material from the town. The cleanup may still be continuing today.