The Libby Environmental Health Update
Libby Air Quality Samples
Department of Environmental Quality
Assessment
February 1, 2000
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) shared the first round of indoor air quality sampling data taken at homes and facilities in the Libby area with the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)on Monday January 31, 2000.
The DEQ reviewed the information and agrees with EPA that the first analysis was designed to discover if tremolite-actinolite asbestos fibers were "abundant" at the sampled sites. The results indicate there was not an abundance of these asbestos fibers.
The agencies are now waiting for the air samples to be analyzed again using a more sensitive analysis which generates a lower detection limit. These results are projected to be available at the end of February or early March, at which time EPA and DEQ will evaluate the data.
Other samples taken during the December sampling event, including surface soil and garden samples, indoor dust wipes and insulation samples, will be available in mid-March. These results, along with the air sampling results, will provide a better assessment of the extent of contamination in residential homes and business. This data, along with future residential and business sampling will allow the agencies to determine the best possible solutions.
Public Meeting
The public is encouraged to attend a town meeting at the Libby Veteran's Memorial Gym on Wednesday February 2, 2000, from 7-9 p.m. The sampling results will be discussed along with some details about what EPA and DEQ are looking for when studying the data.
