EPA Declares Public Health Emergency in Montana Mining Town
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) declared a public health emergency in the Montana towns of Libby and Troy on June 17, 2009. An investigation into the alarming rate of asbestos-related illnesses in the town is what prompted the announcement. Libby is the site of the largest vermiculite deposit in the world and and produced around 80% of the world’s vermiculite, the vermiculite was contaminated with tremolite asbestos, well known as a cause of Mesothelioma. Based on a rigorous re-evaluation of the situation on the ground, The EPA will move aggressively on the cleanup efforts and protect the health of the people. $130 million will be spent by the government on asbestos cleanup efforts and also to improve the community health care system for those with asbestos-related illnesses. Approximately $125 million will come from the EPA over the next five years to clean up both Libby and Troy. An extra $6 million will be spent by the Health and Human Services Department (HSS) on medical assistance.
