The
Asbestos from a vermiculite mine owned by
More than 2,600 homes, businesses and other properties were cleaned up at a cost of more than
However, some asbestos remains in the soil and in people’s houses where vermiculite was used for insulation. With the transfer of responsibility, state and local officials will be responsible for handling any new discoveries of contamination, such as during construction or excavation work.
“These are small amounts of contamination that are still left," EPA spokeswoman
The state will face ongoing costs estimated at
The microscopic fibers of asbestos can cause lung problems and eventually death. Health officials estimate that several thousand people have been sickened in northwest
While state and local officials are taking over management of much of the remaining contamination, EPA will retain some oversight.
State and federal officials described Wednesday’s transfer as a milestone in their efforts to clean up the town and get it off the Superfund list. But the legacy of the contamination is expected to linger for many years as the health problems of people who were exposed worsen over time.
An unprecedented public health emergency declared in
The mine site itself, just outside
Grace is responsible for the cleanup costs at the mine and in 2008 agreed to pay a
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