LIBBY – Libby residents are being advised not to clean up large chunks of ash that fell around town during a fire that destroyed a huge plywood plant, because some of the chunks have tested positive for asbestos.
Lincoln County Commissioner Tony Berget said it’s not the same kind of asbestos that was mined in Libby that has caused sickness, deaths due to lung disease and a Superfund designation for the area. However, he said any asbestos is a concern.
The fire, which started on the evening of Feb. 25, burned the former four-acre Stimson Lumber plywood plant to the ground.
No one was injured, but authorities are concerned about possible contamination in the ash that fell as far as a mile from the site of the fire.
Preliminary test results show that in four of 13 samples, amisote asbestos is present at concentrations greater than 1 percent. Two other samples tested positive at less than 1 percent. No other forms of asbestos were found.
The city and county and working with state and federal agencies to determine a cleanup plan. Wet-cleaning methods are being used to clear streets of ash and state highway workers are expected to vacuum roadways, Berget said.
Because asbestos abatement work is ongoing in Libby, Berget said he expects local expertise will be used for the remainder of the cleanup. Materials are being sent to the county’s asbestos landfill cell.
Residents were cautioned not to disturb fire debris unless it was absolutely necessary. In that case, officials suggested wetting the material with a fine mist before using disposable gloves to place it in sealed plastic bags.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.