Asbestos Contamination in Libby Montana - Essay Example

Asbestos Contamination in Libby Montana Review In November 18, 1999, the newspaper Seattle Post Intelligencer broke a story on mass deaths for a long period. It was described as deaths due to occupational and non-occupational exposure to tremolite asbestos dust from vermiculite mining activities in Libby, Montana. Asbestos is a group of naturally occurring amphibole and serpentine minerals usually found in where mountain building has occurred. These elongated or needle-like crystal minerals are harmless in their natural form locked up in earth's crust. It is when asbestos undergoes disturbance in the form of mining and refining operations that it becomes a dust particle released on air that it becomes lethal. There are 6 asbestos minerals and these are Actinolite, Amosite, Anthophyllite, Crocidolite, Chrysotile, and the deadliest Tremolite. When these tiny dust-like particles at about 1 micron in diameter are inhaled, they penetrate the lung tissue and stay permanently. When accumulated, they eventually scar the lungs, called asbestosis, or cause a cancer of the pleura or lining of the lung, called mesothelioma. These diseases are incurable and terminal with mesothelioma directly and exclusively linked to asbestos dust exposure. (Peacock, 2003). The GAO (2003) acknowledged that its study was conducted as records showed that between 1979 and 1998, the number of deaths in Libby, Montana from lung disease asbestosis was 40 to 80 times higher all over the United States. In the investigation, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reported contamination of asbestos in vermiculite ore processing in Libby. By year 2001, about 18 % of current and former Libby residents who received x-rays were identified having asbestos related lung abnormalities as per record of the Department of Health and Human Services (GAO, 2003). The business mining operations began in 1923. W.R. Grace operated vermiculite mine and dispensation mill in Libby from 1963 until the year of 1990 when it was closed. The mining company employed up to 200 people annually at its vermiculite mine and mill. Workers inhaled asbestos-contaminated dust during mining operations and moving the vermiculite ore and this contaminated dust remains in worker's clothes and vehicles and it is brought to town. The product of the company is Zonolite Attic Insulation was used in resident's homes and in new home construction in various locations around Libby. The vermiculite ore was distributed to extension plants throughout the country and processed into fireproofing materials and insulations, exposing many more workers. At its peak of mining operation, vermiculite mining production reached more than 200,000 tons annually. And W.R. Grace is believed to have 80% of vermiculite around the world. Sources In the early 1920s, initial mining operations began for vermiculite ore body seven miles northeast of Libby, Montana. Full-scale mining operation resumed a decade later under the Universal Zonolite Insulation Company (Zonolite). The vermiculite mined from Zonolite Mountain is contaminated with asbestos fibers, including tremolite and actinolite, and contains the related fibrous asbestiform minerals winchite, richterite, and ferro-edenite. Mining and processing operations, as well as home use of waste rock and products from the Zonolite mine, resulted in the spreading of asbestos throughout the town. Thousands of people in Libby, including former mine workers, their relatives, and other residents, have exhibited signs and symptoms of asbestos-related disease. Since 1999, in response to reports of extensive disease among Libby, Montana residents, EPA's Region 8 Emergency Response Branch has been conducting sampling and removals to tackle the most highly contaminated areas in the Libby valley (EPA, 2002). Exposure Pathways Occupational- miners were exposed to high levels of asbestos in the air at the mine, during convey and handling operations, and during processing operations. Household contact- families of workers were exposed to asbestos from dirty clothing and vehicles of workers returning from the mine. Vermiculite piles- children played in open piles of asbestos-contaminated vermiculite. Residential outdoor- residents inhaled asbestos while gardening in soil amended with asbestos-contaminated vermiculite, driving over contaminated fill in driveways, and playing in contaminated soil. Residential indoor- residents inhaled asbestos-contaminated household dust, asbestos-contaminated insulation being sprayed into attics and walls that have been disturbed during past renovations, or deteriorating asbestos-contaminated building materials or insulation falling into living areas. Ambient air-Historical levels of asbestos in the ambient air in Libby were higher than the current Occupational Safety and Health Administration or OSHA standard of 0.1 fiber per cubic centimeter (f/cc) (EPA, 2001). Health Effects Asbestos increases the risk of the following health effects. Malignant mesothelioma- Cancer of the pleura of the lung and abdominal cavity. This cancer can spread to tissues nearby to the lungs or other vital organs (ATSDR, 2001). Lung cancer-Cancer of lung tissue. The combination of cigarette smoking and asbestos exposure very much increases the risk of developing lung cancer (ATSDR, 2001). Non-cancer effects include: 1) asbestosis- fibers stuck in the lung and cause scarring and reduce lung function. 2) pleural plaques- disperse areas of thickening of the lining of the lung. 3) pleural thickening- widespread thickening of the pleura which limits breathing; 4) pleural calcification- calcium deposition on lining of the lung areas thickened from chronic irritation and scarring. 5) pleural effusions- fluid swelling in the pleural space involving the lungs and the chest cavity (ATSDR, 2001). Environmental Effects Asbestos fibers can contaminate the air and the water from mining of natural asbestos deposits. Asbestos fiber is chemically inert, does not evaporate into air or dissolve in water. Fibers and dust particles may remain floating in the air for a long time and be carried away by wind or water before settling down. Asbestos particles will not spread or move through the soil (GAO, 2003). A ban was issued on private wells in Libby, Montana because of groundwater contamination. The Libby's drinking water is drawn from Flower Creek Reservoir and no asbestos fibers were detected in sampling of influent and effluent water at the water treatment plant (EPA, 2002). Reference: Government Accountability Office (GAO). "EPA's Cleanup of Asbestos in Libby, Montana, and Related Actions to Address Asbestos-Contaminated Materials." April 2003. Peacock, Andrea. Libby, Montana - Asbestos and the Deadly Silence of An American Corporation. Johnson Books, Boulder, Co. 2003. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). Toxicological profile for asbestos (update). Atlanta, GA: US Department of Health and Human Services; September 2001. Weis CP (EPA). Memorandum to P. Peronard of US Environmental Protection Agency regarding "Amphibole mineral fibers in source materials in residential and commercial areas of Libby pose an imminent and substantial endangerment to public health." Denver, CO: US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). December 20, 2001. US Environmental Protection Agency. Administrative record for Libby Asbestos Superfund site export/screening plant and supplement. Denver, CO: US Environmental Protection Agency, Region 8. Provided electronically in May, 2002. Read More