EPA's Asbestos Cleanup Activities
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![]() 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.
- 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.
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