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Grace sends papers to EPA -- reportedly tainted by asbestos
Thursday, April 27, 2000
In a bizarre twist to the increasingly contentious relationship between the Environmental Protection Agency and W.R. Grace & Co., the agency says two boxes of documents Grace provided to investigators are themselves contaminated with potentially lethal asbestos fibers.
The documents were provided by Grace in response to the EPA's questions about where asbestos-tainted Zonolite ore was shipped for processing.
Earlier this month, Grace shipped five boxes of documents to the office of an attorney representing the company in Boulder, Colo. When EPA investigators went to the office to examine the boxes, they found documents in two of the containers covered with a fine, tan powder. EPA coordinator Paul Peronard ordered that the dust be analyzed before the documents were handled.
The EPA said the analysis showed the papers were covered with tremolite asbestos fibers, the same carcinogenic material that sickened the Montana miners and their families and at the processing plants across the nation.
"We just got this information last week and are having our experts look at these tests that were done and the results," said William Corcoran, Grace's vice president for public affairs. "Until we know what this means, the boxes will be quarantined" at the law office, he said.
Some of the untainted boxes contained shipping papers that helped determine that more than 250 locations around the country received the Zonolite ore.
-- Andrew Schneider
Day 1
· A town left to die
· It all started with the search for gold
· The History of W.R. Grace Co.
· Dangers of asbestos exposure
· Known deaths from tremolite from Libby mine (graphic)
Day 2
· While people are dying, government agencies pass buck
· 'No one ever told us that stuff could kill you'
· Libby's lost miners: A gallery
· Group organizes to help victims
(newest at top)
· W.R. Grace to pay record Superfund fine
· Finally, asbestos-plagued Libby, Mont., to get help
· Up to 30% tested in Libby hurt by asbestos
· W.R. Grace files for bankruptcy
· Labor Dept. enters Libby's asbestos fight
· Why did dying miners get no help?
· Health warning on attic asbestos
· W.R. Grace buys its old Libby mine, then bans EPA investigators from it
· Grace backs off pledge to clean up asbestos
· Grace sends papers to EPA -- reportedly tainted
· A small group of physicians is trying to change the course of asbestos-induced disease
· One victim's story: '(I) couldn't get a breath; it scared me to death almost' · Horseman in the race of his life
· Class-action suit targets Grace Co., insulation
· Mine-safety agency takes action
· Immediate cleanup sought in mining town
· Grace to pick up medical bills in tainted town
· Asbestos study is expanded nationwide
· Deadly ore was shipped around U.S., Canada
· Just 23 months hauling ore--and it killed him 36 years later
· Finally, asbestos victims have their say
· Initial tests reveal areas of asbestos in and around Libby
· Montana's governor knows asbestos danger
· State, federal authorities sending teams to Montana mining town
· Editorial: Libby folks must get some answers
· EPA sues for access to Libby vermiculite mine
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