ASBESTOS IN THE NEWS
EPA investigates former W.R. Grace asbestos plant in Portland, OR

EPA is conducting an extensive site investigation at the former W.R. Grace vermiculite-asbestos plant in Portland, OR. Bulk samples consisting of soil and dust from the site have been analyzed by multiple analytical methods.

Preliminary data suggest the presence of asbestos similar to that identified at the Libby, Montana site and other Libby-associated expansion plants. This effort will include a series of air monitoring experiments in 2005utilizing the glove box procedures and on-site activity based sampling.

With funding from EPA Region 9, California conducted a study to measure the asbestos content in airborne dust after driving cars over roads paved with quarried rock contaminated with naturally-occurring asbestos.

This study measured the distance and content of the asbestos laden dust and correlated it to speed and number of vehicles. The final report was released in May 2005.

Courtesy of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency