Central Montana Times

U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Tim Sheehy from Montana have successfully passed a resolution in the U.S. Senate to designate the week of April 1-7 as National Asbestos Awareness Week. The initiative highlights issues specific to the town of Libby and seeks to prompt the U.S. Surgeon General to inform the public about the health risks associated with asbestos exposure.

Senator Daines emphasized the importance of the resolution, stating, "Far too many Montanans have suffered because of toxic exposure to asbestos, especially in the towns of Libby and Troy. National Asbestos Awareness Week is an important way to call attention to the dangers of asbestos and protect the health and safety of our communities."

Senator Sheehy added, "There’s no safe level of asbestos exposure, and it’s tragically affected many residents and mining workers in towns like Libby and Troy. As cleanup efforts continue, during National Asbestos Awareness Week, we must ensure that Montanans are aware of the dangers of asbestos to reduce the risk of exposure."

Libby and the surrounding areas have been on the EPA’s Superfund National Priorities List since the early 2000s due to widespread asbestos contamination. More than 200 residents of Libby have died, and thousands have been diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases. Senator Daines has been co-leading the annual resolution for National Asbestos Awareness Week since 2017.