Libby, Montana asbestos timeline

Ver más

effects of ocean pollution

por Hayley M Lever

Ethics

por Desi McKeown

GLD2OR

por Arman Grewal

Human Emotion

por Samuel Anderson-McCoy

References: Larson, T. C., Williamson, L., & Antao, V. C. (2020). Follow-Up of the Libby, Montana Screening Cohort: A 17-Year Mortality Study. Journal of occupational and environmental medicine, 62(1), e1–e6. https://doi.org/10.1097/JOM.0000000000001760 McNew, T., Miller, M., & Black, C. (2018). EPA’s Only Public Health Emergency: Libby, Montana’s Asbestos Exposure, Screening Program, and Research. Chest, 154,789A. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chest.2018.08.710 McNew, T., Hernandez, T., & Black, C. (2016). Asbestos Exposure and Health Screening in Libby, Montana: Past, Present, and Future. Chest, 150, 931A. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chest.2016.08.1032 Staff. (2005, February, 21). Buildup to disaster: A Libby timeline. High Country News. https://www.hcn.org/issues/292/15302 Whitmer, M. (2022, March 11). Libby, Montana. The Mesothelioma Center. https://www.asbestos.com/jobsites/libby/

Created using www.mindomo.com

Libby, Montana asbestos timeline

2009

EPA declares Libby Superfund site a Public Health Emergency (PHE)

2021 study identifies 694 non-occupational asbestos related deaths 1979-2011

Thousands of claims filed against state agencies for failure to warn of the asbestos contamination. State agencies continue to claim no legal obligation to warn of mine dangers.

2004

Libby asbestos victims’ medical bills estimated to total $32 million over next 5 years.

At least 1 in 10 Libby residents have asbestos related illness

W.R. Grace to pay 1/3 of anticipated costs.

2003

W.R. Grace ordered to pay $54 million to support environmental clean up

2002

EPA declares Libby a Superfund clean-up site

1999

Seattle Post Intelligencer reports Libby asbestos is killing people. Creates national attention.

The EPA performs soil and air tests

1990

W.R.Grace closes Libby vermiculite mine operations

1989

The EPA bans most use of asbestos

Mid 1980's

Ralph Nader and local newspapers report on asbestos related worker illness and lawsuits against W.R. Grace.

The national press ignores the story.

1980's

The EPA conducts four studies in Libby, demonstrating asbestos dangers, does not publicly announce

1963

W.R. Grace co. purchases mine, improves working conditions, but workers continue to develop asbestos related illnesses

W.R. Grace denies knowledge of occupational hazard. Later court evidence shows executive were aware and withheld this information from workers.

Vermiculite used in communal areas, exposing community to asbesto

1960's

workers handling vermiculite develop asbestos type illnesses

Many fatalities reported

1956

State inspector finds high levels of asbestos in mine samples.

No follow-up, changes or consequences

1939

Zonolite sells as insulation to U.S.

Zonolite company mines ore and processes vermiculite.