Amosite asbestos detected in fire debris
Caution advised for debris cleanup and handling
by Duane Williams, KLCB-KTNY Radio
March 6, 2010
While the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is telling you that no Libby Amphibole Asbestos was released in last Thursday night's plywood plant fire, what you are now being told is that amosite, considered to be one of the more hazardous forms of asbestos, was.
The Kootenai Business Park Industrial District has provided preliminary test results from off-site sampling of debris from the Libby Plywood Plant fire. According to the Lincoln County Department of Environmental Health, amosite asbestos was detected at 2% in four of the 13 samples and less than 1% in two others. Chrysotile asbestos was detected in one sample at less than 1%. No other forms of asbestos, meaning tremolite or Libby Amphibole, were detected. Sampling is ongoing , expect further results.
Amosite was a prevalent type of asbestos used in building materials. In this case, the roofing of the former plywood plant that burned Thursday a week ago, releasing and showering Libby with amosite containing debris.
Known as "brown asbestos", it is banned in most countries because of its toxicity, but is still found in many older products and buildings, and as in this case, poses potential danger. It is highly friable, crumbling easily and releasing airborne fibers that are easily inhaled.
The Department of Environmental Health says they are uncertain of health risks posed to the public, but will continue cleaning up debris as a precaution.
Wet street cleaning methods are being used to clean up debris from Libby area roadways. The city street department and county road crew have completed many streets in their districts. The state highway department will begin vacuuming highways tomorrow morning. All materials will be disposed of at the county's asbestos landfill cell.
A representative from the Industrial District, reportedly Paul Rummelhart, and County Commissioner John Konzen met with state Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) officials Thursday in Helena to discuss this situation. The County will continue to work closely with DEQ, EPA and other local agencies.
As a reminder, if you have debris on your property, don't disturb it. If the debris is in an area where you must remove it, wet the material with a fine mist, wear disposable gloves and place the material in a sealable plastic bag. Place the gloves in the bag with the debris and dispose of with your garbage. Do not take the material or bag into your home or car.
_____________________________
Story by Duane Williams, KLCB-KTNY Radio, www.todaysbestcountryonline.com, e-mail: klcb@frontiernet.net.
|
