Asbestos Crisis in Libby, Montana

The Asbestos Crisis in Libby, Montana

Asbestos has affected the health and lives of thousands of people across the nation.  But few regions have experienced the devastation felt by one small American town.  In Libby, Montana, asbestos is blamed for a staggering number of mesothelioma- and asbestosis-related deaths that has left the area with a toxic legacy that still plagues its residents today.

Vermiculite: Big Business in Libby

Vermiculite, a mineral known for its heat-resistant properties, was discovered in the Libby region in 1916 by E.N. Alley.  Alley formed a company to begin the commercial production of vermiculite, and by 1926, his plant was producing up to 100 tons of “Zonolite” per day.  In 1963, W.R. Grace, a specialty chemicals supplier, purchased the company and increased Zonolite production. 

Over the next three decades, W.R. Grace shipped millions of tons of vermiculite ore across the country to various manufacturers.  It was used to make thousands of commercial products, everything from lawn fertilizer to insulation. Nearly 80 percent of the world’s vermiculite originated from Libby, and W.R. Grace’s mine employed nearly 2,000 people while it was in operation.

Asbestos is Linked to Libby’s High Death Rate

W.R. Grace closed down its Libby vermiculite mine in 1990 for economic reasons.  Nearly nine years later, a Seattle newspaper reporter published several articles about the high rate of deaths and illness exhibited by the people of Libby.  The articles revealed that nearly 200 had died and another 375 had been diagnosed with fatal diseases like mesothelioma—all attributed to asbestos exposure.

In response to media stories, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) set out to investigate the asbestos contamination in Libby.  It was discovered that vermiculite deposits at W.R. Grace’s former mine contained tremolite, a rare and highly toxic form of asbestos. The EPA launched a massive, multi-million dollar cleanup effort in 2000 which involved removing asbestos-laced soil and other materials in and near Libby.

Company Hid the Dangers of Asbestos

For employees at the W.R. Grace mine and for the residents of Libby, asbestos exposure was a part of daily life.  Airborne particles from the mine created a perpetual, hazy smoke that drifted above the town.  Fine asbestos dust coated the roofs of cars, the grass, and even children’s playgrounds.

Despite early warnings that exposure may cause respiratory problems, documents show that W.R. Grace decided not to let its customers know about asbestos dangers.  In 1977, the company issued a confidential memo that stated there was “no evidence of any adverse effects of our products on consumers… neither can we offer convincing evidence that they are absolutely safe."

In 2005, the U.S. Government began a criminal conspiracy prosecution of W.R. Grace and several former employees.  The government alleged that the company knew of the risks of asbestos exposure but knowingly hid this knowledge from employees and residents. W.R. Grace and the other accused individuals were acquitted of all charges in 2009. However, despite this verdict, many still believe the company was fully aware that it was contaminating the town of Libby for years.

In 2008, W.R. Grace agreed to pay $250 million to reimburse the federal government for the costs of the Libby investigation and asbestos cleanup. That same year, a $60 million civil settlement was reached between the company and numerous homeowners and businesses affected by its asbestos-contaminated insulation products.

The EPA Declares a Public Health Emergency

On June 17, 2009, the EPA declared the Libby asbestos contamination as its first public health emergency, and announced that the government will provide an additional $130 million dollars in cleanup and medical assistance.  The asbestos pollution in Libby is now linked to over 200 deaths and more than 1,000 illnesses. 

Since symptoms of asbestos-related disease often do not emerge for 20 to 40 years, Libby victims are still being diagnosed with mesothelioma and other life-threatening conditions.  The full extent of the damage is still unknown, and for residents of Libby and nearby towns, the threat of danger remains. 

The sad situation that has unfolded in Libby, Montana is one of the clearest examples of the connection between longterm asbestos exposure and an increased risk of developing malignant mesothelioma later in life. If you or a loved one are receiving mesothelioma treatment and would like to learn more about asbestos law, contact a mesothelioma attorney to see if there is a possibility of receiving a asbestos settlement from company or former employer.