Central Montana Times

U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Jon Tester have introduced a bipartisan resolution to declare April 1-7 as the 19th annual National Asbestos Awareness Week. The resolution aims to raise awareness of the ongoing effects of asbestos and directs the U.S. Surgeon General to issue a warning to all Americans about the dangers of asbestos exposure.

"Too many Montanans have suffered from asbestos exposure and the related health impacts that can take years to appear. As we continue to raise awareness around the risks of asbestos, we also must continue to help clean up communities like Libby and Troy and help protect the health and wellbeing of Montanans everywhere," said Senator Daines.

Since W.R. Grace closed its Libby vermiculite mine in 1990, more than 200 residents have died and thousands more are still suffering from asbestos-related diseases. Clean-up efforts began in 2002 when Libby, Troy, and surrounding communities were placed on the EPA’s Superfund National Priorities List. It can take anywhere from 10 to 50 years to develop symptoms of asbestos-related diseases, which continue to kill thousands of Americans each year.

Daines and Tester introduce this resolution every year. The full text of the resolution can be found on the official Senate website.