The town of Libby, Montana continues to recover from the disappointment of losing their lawsuit against W. R. Grace, a company that operated a vermiculite mine in the area. Asbestos from the mine has led to more than 200 asbestos related deaths and 2000 illnesses in a town of 3000 residents.
Despite the horrific tragedy that has occurred in the town, residents such as Dean Herreid and Mayor Doug Roll choose to focus on the future. Says Roll, “We need to get the stigma of the ‘death town’ away from us. It’s been hanging over us for at least nine years.”
Herreid suffers from asbestosis yet he agrees. “Don’t feel sorry for us. That’s not what we want.”
Hope on the horizon for Libby:
- An Arizona based company that makes bridge supports may bring jobs to the town
- Pending cleanup of the Superfund site
- Healthcare grants from the federal government to help with asbestos related disease
Tags: asbestos, Libby Montana, vermiculite, WR Grace
