Cleanup Activities - US EPA Region 8

Region 8 Libby pages

EPA's Asbestos Cleanup Activities

Emergency Response Cleanup Activities

EPA's emergency response work in Libby has focused on removing as many source areas as possible. By August 2002, EPA had safely and thoroughly cleaned up over 250,000 cubic yards of asbestos-contaminated waste from the major source areas and and transported them to the Grace Mine site for disposal. This site is secured and will remain off-limits for human contact. Subsequent cleanup efforts have focused on residences and businesses. As of the end of 2006, EPA has cleaned up 794 residences and businesses.

These cleanups included investigation, excavation, demolition, disposal, and restoration activities. The cleanups have entailed detailed planning and implementation to ensure public and worker safety.

Exterior cleanup

Since November 1999, EPA has:

Opened the EPA Information Center at 501 Mineral Ave.
Investigated the sources of contamination
Removed vermiculite from several major source areas
Collected and assessed data
Reconsidered standard protocols for analyzing Libby amphibole asbestos samples and assessing risk from Libby asbestos exposure
Begun a formal human health risk assessment
Tested methods of remediating indoor contamination
Proposed Libby for the NPL at the request of Governor Martz
Expanded a Superfund investigation to include extensive sampling and analysis and additional risk assessment
Authorized and begun removal of vermiculite from Libby homes and businesses
Built a special cell in the Lincoln County Landfill for disposal of asbestos wastes
As of the end of 2006, EPA has cleaned up 794 businesses and residences

Vermiculite Removal in Libby Homes and Businesses

In 2002, EPA began removing vermiculite from the interiors and exteriors of Libby homes and businesses. EPA's asbestos abatement contractors are using a vacuum truck to extract the vermiculite inside and backhoes to dig up the material outside. Air sampling is conducted during and after the removal, to ensure that hazardous levels of asbestos are not present.

Residents are being relocated during the interior removals, which are expected to take approximately one week for each house. EPA has developed specific plans for conducting these removals. In general, EPA will remove vermiculite and restore the home, indoor and outdoor, to its pre-removal condition.

Non-Emergency Investigation and Remediation Activities

The Libby Site was added to the National Priorities List (NPL) in October 2002. The NPL is a list of hazardous waste sites that are eligible for extensive, long-term cleanup under Superfund. An NPL listing enables a site to receive federal funds for cleanup while EPA seeks costs from the responsible parties. If there are no responsible parties who can pay for the work, the Superfund may be used.

Work in the Community

Libby area soils will be the focus of EPA's work for the next several years.
EPA collected soil samples at every residence and business in Libby (over 3,000).
Sampling began in summer 2002 and was completed in 2003.
Results helped establish a site boundary, based on where asbestos is found to pose a risk.
EPA continues to design and implement appropriate cleanup actions.

Work at the Mine Site Vermiculite mine aerial view

Investigations at the mine site remain minimal until the risks in the town are eliminated.
Air blowing off the mine site and spring runoff from the mine is being monitored to obtain data for assessment.
These results will provide additional information to make decisions about potential cleanup actions for the mine.

Work at the Former Stimson Mill

EPA, in conjunction with Lincoln County and the Port Authority, has done environmental sampling at the Stimson complex - the site of a former lumber mill. Stimson donated the property to the Port Authority to facilitate economic redevelopment when the lumber mill operations ceased in 2002
Current cleanup activities include removing vermiculite insulation from the deteriorated exterior walls of the facility and removing a layer of light concrete from a roof surface that is contaminated with Libby Asbestos and damaged beyond repair.
As part of its commitment to the reuse of Superfund sites, EPA signed a Cooperative Agreement with Lincoln County and the Port Authority to assist in land-use planning at the former mill site. The planning included data collection, assessment of infrastructure and facilities, a fire inspection and a market analysis.

When Cleanup is Complete

EPA can only sample where contamination is most likely to occur and to be disturbed. This generally means accessible areas indoors and near ground surface outdoors. It is impossible to sample everywhere. Because of this, some isolated pockets of vermiculite may be missed in our cleanup. It is important to be able to recognize vermiculite, should you encounter it in the future. If you do not know what it looks like, please visit the EPA Information Center to view our samples.

If you know or think you have found vermiculite, do not disturb it! Contact the EPA Information Center or the County Health Department. EPA is currently developing a plan for dealing with these situations in the long-term at no cost to the resident.