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August 15, 2013
Libby, Montana - The presence of the United States Environmental Protection Agency in Libby, Montana – a community ravaged by the asbestos mining industry – has been continuous. Though, it appears, the EPA is making some considerable progress towards pulling out of the damaged town as it has been revealed that three crucial studies – that will determine how the agency moves forward in Libby – will be completed in 2014.
At the crux of the EPA's exit strategy are the results produced by these three studies that will determine how much asbestos is satisfactory to remain in Libby. Essentially, how much asbestos is safe to leave behind? Once that number is determined, the remaining clean up efforts spearheaded by the EPA will take shape.
The EPA's studies include a toxicology assessment, risk assessment and a feasibility study. The toxicology assessment will determine the link between the asbestos mined by the W. R. Grace & Co. and the diseases – including cancerous and noncancerous diseases – exhibited by the Libby community.
The risk assessment will point to how much asbestos can remain behind after the clean up efforts at the Superfund site are completed. Finally, taking into consideration the results from the toxicology report and risk assessment, the feasibility assessment will lay out a suggested exit strategy for the EPA.
Asbestos is a set of fibrous minerals that was heavily mined during the twentieth century. Asbestos became a highly sought after material for the production of building and plumbing items, especially, because of its insulating and heat resistance properties. Durable, economical and adaptable, asbestos was also used in the manufacturing of automobile parts, in ship-making, paints and plasters, and variety of home-use applications including decorative items and small appliances.
Extremely dangerous and carcinogenic, asbestos exposure can lead to devastating medical conditions including certain types of lung diseases, asbestosis and mesothelioma cancer. All types of mesothelioma cancer – pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma and pericardial mesothelioma – are the most identifiable diseases associated with asbestos. At this time, a mesothelioma diagnosis is terminal.
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