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W.R. Grace Accused of Hiding Asbestos Health Problems
Asbestos Diseases Include:
MISSOULA, MT — February 18, 2005 — W.R. Grace hid health problems at its asbestos–contaminated vermiculite mine in Libby, Montana, and interfered with government investigations, the U.S. Department of Justice has charged. The company also distributed vermiculite tailings containing asbestos to schools and businesses, according to charges. A grand jury indictment accuses Grace and seven of its executives of conspiracy, wire fraud, and violations of the Clean Air Act.
Used in gardening soils and insulation, vermiculite is a metal ore that can be heated to form a light–weight, fire–resistant substance. The Libby vermiculite was shipped for processing to manufacturing plants throughout the nation. Most of Zonolite brand insulation, which is found in millions of homes, contains vermiculite that is derived from the Libby mine.
Grace May Have Concealed Link Between Mesothelioma and Vermiculite, Indictment Says
Grace operated the vermiculite mine from 1963 through 1990. The government plans to show that, as early as the 1970s, Grace tried to conceal the dangers from the asbestos in vermiculite (Department of Justice Press Release, February 7, 2005).
In 1977, Grace contracted with a researcher to study the effect of Libby vermiculite on hamsters, according to a newspaper account of the indictment (Daily Inter Lake, February 13, 2005). The study showed that 10 hamsters died of mesothelioma after exposure to the asbestos fibers in Libby vermiculite. The terms of the contract prevented the publication of these results, however, the newspaper said.
In another study sponsored by Grace, Dr. Richard Monson looked at the death certificates of 66 Libby mine workers during the period from 1950 through 1981. He found that many had died of respiratory cancers, including mesothelioma, the Daily Inter Lake reports. Yet another company–sponsored study concluded that asbestos diseases at the mine effected all age groups, according to the news story. The newspaper quoted several memos found in the indictment that suggested that Grace knew about the hazards of asbestos, yet tried to cover up various studies.
Asbestos Disease in Libby
From 1979–1998, the death rate among Libby residents from asbestos–related diseases was about 40 times higher than the rest of Montana and 60 times higher than the rest of the United States (Mortality in Libby, Montana, 1979–1998, ATSDR). In the year 2000, participants in a Libby medical testing program showed pleural scarring and other lung abnormalities (Year 2000 Medical Testing of Individuals Potentially Exposed To Asbestoform Minerals, ATSDR). Mesothelioma and other asbestos–related illnesses usually take decades to develop, and we may only be seeing the beginning of the disease epidemic in Libby.
Will Grace Be Held Responsible for the Libby Disaster?
Libby was declared a Superfund disaster area in 2002, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has already spent over $54 million in cleanup costs. A court has ordered Grace to repay the government for its expenses. However, because Grace has filed for bankruptcy, no reimbursement can be made without the approval of the bankruptcy court.
The current grand jury indictment charges that Grace made $140 million in profits from vermiculite products. Based on this estimate, Grace faces fines of twice that amount, or up to $280 million.
At Brayton Purcell, we are concerned about the harm done by some asbestos–affiliated companies. Please feel free to contact us if you would like more information about mesothelioma and other asbestos–related diseases. We have been successfully advocating for asbestos victims for over 20 years, and aggressively fight to protect the legal rights of our clients.
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