BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — A cleanup proposal for a Montana town where thousands have been sickened by asbestos contamination would leave some of the deadly material in houses and other places where officials say it can be safely managed.
The Environmental Protection on Tuesday released its long-delayed final cleanup plan for Libby and the neighboring town of Troy.
It comes more than 15 years after media reports revealed widespread illness caused by asbestos dust from a W.R. Grace and Co. vermiculite mine.
Under the plan, asbestos-containing vermiculite would be left behind where it presents minimal risk, such as underground or behind the walls of houses.
Some Libby residents worry the material eventually would escape.
The EPA so far has spent $540 million on the cleanup, and officials say Libby’s air is now much safer.
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