Why is EPA planning to leave asbestos-containing vermiculite insulation in the walls of homes?
Unless asbestos-contaminated vermiculite inside the walls is disturbed, there is no exposure to it and, therefore, it poses no risk and does not need to be removed. EPA has made the Environmental Resource Specialist Program available to homeowners when walls are accidently breached or if the resident plans remodeling work that will disturb the asbestos inside walls. How long will the public health emergency last? CERCLA does not establish a timeframe to revisit this determination. EPA has discretion to change the finding whenever conditions merit. Any change that EPA makes to the finding will be in consultation with the Department of Health and Human Services and the Libby site community which includes Libby and Troy, Montana. Does this mean EPA is going to issue a public health emergency at other vermiculite sites around the country? This public health emergency is related to the specific conditions at a particular site. The Administrator’s finding applies only to the Libby site which
