PUBLIC PANICKED AS ASBESTOS EMERGENCY DECLARED IN MONTANA

June 17 2009

Libby, MT – Asbestos has long been a word that has driven fear into the hearts. As the health risk associated with Asbestos insulation became more and more clear and the rampant fear over its use in homes and schools started to become widespread, the word itself become something of a menace. A word so toxic that it’s mere mention
could cause as much damage as the material itself. Though the health problems associated with the material have been known since the early 1900’s widespread use continued unabated, sickening thousands around the world and causing generations of damage.

Now one small town in Montana has been crippled by the mineral with more than 200 dead and 1000 sick. The federal government has taken drastic action and pledged $6 million in aid to help clean up the town and treat illness for those who have been affected by the toxic material. Early reports indicate that the town had been
blanketed by multiple clouds of Asbestos over the course of thirty years from a nearby mine operation which has since been closed. It’s unclear as yet how extensive the damage has been or will continue to be in the future.

“This is a tragic public health situation that has not received the recognition it deserves by the federal government for far too long,” said Lisa Jackson, EPA Administrator, through a gasmask. “The people of Libby have suffered under the cloud of Asbestos poisoning for too long and we must make efforts to not only stop the spread of this toxic agent but also help clean up the damage that it has caused, both in the bodies and in the minds of the people of this town. The federal government will do whatever it can to ensure that asbestos poisoning will no longer haunt the residents of Libby, Montana.”

The mining operation that caused the poisoning was shut down in 1990. A court ruling acquitted executives from the company in May. It’s not clear why residents did not move from the 12,000 person town to somewhere safer.

“I can tell you there is a palpable fear here. The people of this city have been under constant barrage by this unseen and undetectable monster stalking them for generations and only now are they receiving the kind of attention and help that they have been asking for,” said
Scrape TV U.S. Field correspondent Michael Canning. “Even as I write this the fear in the town is gripping. People go about their daily lives wearing full body hazmat suits. Children are sprayed down before entering schools. People have been living off canned food for over twenty years now. There has been for so long a sense of frustration and fear that has gripped the people here and because of that some are still hesitant to trust the government’s declaration of help.”

U.S. officials knew about the public health risks associated with asbestos since the 1930’s but that information was not made public in the early 70’s. It is expected that
the cleanup of the atmosphere, land, and water will take years to complete during which time the people of Libby will have to continue to suffer.

“People ask why don’t I move but this is my home. My parents lived here and my grandparents lived here and so it shouldn’t be me that has to move it should be the asbestos. We were here first,” said one resident who preferred not to be named. “Sure I’d like to have a real meal for once in my life. Sure I’d like to go to movies and not have to watch it through a plastic shield but this is America. Asbestos is the problem so it can move, not me.”

State and federal officials have urged people to continue their normal routine until the clean up can be completed.

“The people of Libby have never been promised anything before so they are a little sceptical on the declarations by the government but they are holding out hope. What little hope they can hold. These are a shattered people,” continued Canning. “The apocalypse, should it ever come, would do well to visit Libby to see how to do it right.”

No money has been set aside for moving the town. Debate has already begun in Washington with Republican critics accusing the Obama administration of attempting to curry favour with the people of Libby by helping them. Libby was one of the few cities in American declared ineligible to vote due to the toxic environment, something which should be resolved by the next Presidential election.

Mike Michaels, American Correspondent

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