Residents living near the former W.R. Grace Zonolite factory on North Maple Street in Spokane, Washington, have recently been distressed to learn that the EPA suspects soil in their yards, as well as public property, may be contaminated with asbestos.
Testers in hazmat suits are taking dozens of soil samples in each yard and sending them off for a new, more sophisticated test that can detect asbestos rates occurring at rates as little as .25%. The EPA is spending between $900 and $1400 per yard for the analyses.
Concern over the area grew as the publicity over the W.R. Grace vermiculite mine in Libby, Montana, exploded several months ago as a result of the company’s federal trial. The town of Libby was heavily contaminated by asbestos from the mine and more than 200 people have died from asbestos-related diseases, such as asbestosis and mesothelioma.
The Zonolite factory produced insulation using hundreds of thousands of tons of asbestos contaminated vermiculite from Libby for years before closing in 1973. It was in the early 1970′s that regulations governing asbestos use were passed.
Anyone that worked at the Zonolite factory, as well as anyone living or working nearby should be regularly screened for mesothelioma and other asbestos diseases throughout their life. Until the results of the soil analyses are back, people living in the vicinity of North Maple Street should avoid doing anything that disturbs the soil and should refrain from outside activities in their yards.
Tags: asbestos, EPA, Libby Montana, mesothelioma, WR Grace
