Reference no: EM133637765

Question: In 1963 a company names W. R. Grace and Company bought a mine in Libby, Montana, which was found to possess vermiculite- a popular material used for many things including acoustic paneling, fireproofing of structural steel and pipes, brake linings, insulating concretes, soilless growing medium for home gardening, soil conditioning, and waste treatment of fluids. The mine was so popular that it was producing 80% of the vermiculite used in the world.

One point that was covered up by the company was the fact that the local vermiculite near Libby, Montana contained asbestos which was known to be hazardous and strongly linked to mesothelioma. The mines had byproduct which was used in local buildings and landscaping that was used throughout the town of Libby. This led to nearly 10% (200 people) of the population dying from asbestos contamination that were 25% miners and 75% non-miners, along with more than 1,000 people falling ill.

What the company should have done is acknowledge and notify the local community of the presence of asbestos to prevent the use of this material. This would have prevented the deaths and long term damages to the local town that was conducting their mining operation, which led to US taxpayers supporting the EPA with a $130 million cleanup and medical operation in 2009, and another $425 million cleanup operation in 2015.