EPA Study Shows Fed Failed to Adequately Respond to Asbestos Contamination Crisis

icAendic seven-month review of the Environmental Protection Agency's actions related to asbestos-contaminated vermiculite that was mined near Libby, Mont., has revealed that the agency failed to take appropriate measures to safeguard nearby residents from the potential dangers the asbestos posed.photo-10

While a massive cleanup effort is now underway in Libby, the EPA Office of Inspector General's report has brought to the surface evidence that the agency took little or no action in the mining town for more than 20 years.

According to the report, "fragmented authority and jurisdiction" as well as "ineffective communication" hampered the EPA's efforts. Furthermore, the …