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Libby Asbestos
Set in the northwest corner of Montana, 35 miles east of Idaho and 65 miles south of Canada, is the small town of Libby. The town lies in a picturesque valley carved by the Kootenai River and framed by the Cabinet Mountains to the south. Libby has population of less than 3,000, and 12,000 people live within a ten-mile radius. Libby is the Lincoln County seat. The community's assets include clean water, beautiful scenery, and recreational opportunities such as fishing, hiking, hunting, boating and skiing.EPA has been working in Libby since 1999 when an Emergency Response
Team was sent to investigate local concern and news articles about asbestos-contaminated
vermiculite. Since that time, EPA has been working closely with the community
to clean up contamination and reduce risks to human health.
Background page on Libby Asbestos Site
Are You New to Libby?
Contact the EPA Information Center (406.293.6194) for the latest information on the work being done by the Environmental Protection Agency in Libby. The staff will answer your questions or direct you to the appropriate resource. You can find out if your property has been screened for asbestos and if any cleanup work was done. Also, you can see samples of vermiculite in various forms and you can pick up a number of informative flyers and brochures.
Since November, 1999, EPA has cleaned up the major source areas of contamination around town. EPA is now cleaning up smaller sources found in a variety of places such as around homes and businesses. EPA conducts stringent clearance sampling after cleanup and has begun some targeted sampling to measure the effectiveness of cleanup several months later. EPA is also working on long-term plans to ensure that the cleanup remains protective and human health risks continue to be reduced over time. EPA's ongoing cleanup efforts continue to make Libby a safer place to live, work, and visit.
Until the cleanup is finished, disturbance of vermiculite is the most likely source of exposures to asbestos. So, learn what it looks like and where it is likely to be found - then leave it alone!
Please visit the links on the left sidebar for tips and information about vermiculite,
asbestos, health information and resources, and EPA activities including sampling
and cleanup, community involvement, updates, and contacts.
