A massive fire at the Libby Mill in Libby, Montana is the source of health concerns that center on chemical contamination from the smoldering remains. The Lincoln County Environmental Health Department and the City of Libby are discussing the findings of a preliminary study that detected the presence of chrysotile and anthophylite asbestos. Cleanup is required by law if the contamination is greater than 1 percent, although there has been no minimum threshold found for health risk related to asbestos exposure. Off-site samples were also tested, and low level contamination was found in three of the four tested areas, with a greater concentration of contaminates in the fourth.
Libby is listed on the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Superfund list. Additionally, a public health emergency was declared last year due to the high incidence of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses.
For the full story, go to The Western News.
没有评论:
发表评论