Federal regulators were aware that asbestos-containing bark and wood chips in Libby, Montana were sold and used by local residents and Government officials more than three years before they acknowledged it publicly, in accordance with the letter from the environmental protection agency, United States Senator Max Baucus.
Libby is the site of the EPA Superfund, the city receives the advertisement "public health emergency" in 2009 in response to exposure to asbestos and the higher than normal incidence of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.
After reading the report from The Associated Press, discussing the use of toxic materials, Baucus (D-Montana) requested clarification of the EPA wood products.
In previous statements, the EPA said that he knew as last autumn that the chips are stored at the former lumber mills were sold to local economic development official. In a letter dated 15 July EPA Baucus acknowledged knowing about the sale of more than three years ago – in October 2007.
Baucus got to EPA that will take additional tests to confirm if the bark and wood chips are a health risk.
"I watch make sure tests are performed thoroughly and transparently, and I'm here to EPA feet to the fire and make sure that their response is up to par," Baucus said in a statement. "We've got to get to the bottom of it quickly so Libby can heal and begin to flourish."
EPA committed to perform on the basis of the sampling frame for Libby homeowners who were exposed to bark; for re-analyze chip for measurement of asbestos fibres; and to conduct assessments of toxicology for cancer and non-cancer diseases.
After the closure of asbestos-containing vermiculite mine in Libby W.R. Grace in 1991, approximately 400 people in the area of asbestos-related diseases.
This entry was posted on Monday, July 18, 2010 at 5: 10 pm and is filed under action of asbestos exposure. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS feed.
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