Asbestos is still an issue for a Montana town near the site of an old asbestos mine, despite closure of the mine years ago. The Department of Environmental Quality is warning residents of Bozeman, Montana of of the possibility of asbestos in their homes, gardens and neighborhoods.
“Asbestos insulation milled from ore originating at the Karst Mine is known as Karstolite and has been found in several structures in Bozeman, Helena and Livingston,” said John Podolinsky, Project Officer with the DEQ Asbestos Control Program.
Karstolite was used in the three cities through the late 1950s, mostly as attic insulation but it has also been found in Bozeman area soils.
“An undetermined number of homes and commercial buildings built before 1960 may contain the insulation. We want to make sure the public is aware of this possibility and if someone finds Karstolite in their home or business that they take proper precautions for handling asbestos,” Podolinsky said.
According to Pierre Amicucci, an air quality specialist with the DEQ, Karstolite has, at times, been found in attics only after peeling away a few layers of more modern insulation.
“If I just poked head in my attic, I may not see it. I may need to look a few layers down to find Karstolite,” he said.
Amicucci recommends anyone purchasing a home to have an asbestos test performed.
“This is a requirement for commercial buildings, but it’s a good idea for home owners as well,” he said.
The DEQ recommends that anyone who suspects their home may contain Karstolite should call for a home inspection.
“If you think you have found asbestos ore in your yard, park or near hiking trails, do not disturb or transport the soil yourself. Contact the DEQ or refer to our website for more information,” says Colleen Owen, Project Officer with the DEQ Remediation Division.
Asbestos ore was stockpiled at the Montana Rail Link Asbestos, CMC Asbestos Gallatin Gateway and CMC Asbestos Bozeman sites, and may be found in area soils where it was disposed of or used as fill material. The sites were cleaned up or are in the process of being cleaned up.
To have your home inspected for asbestos, a list of labs and consultants can be found on the DEQ website. People with questions can also call 1-800-246-8198.
The Karst Mine is located in Gallatin County, Montana and was operated off and on from the early 1900s through the 1950s. The type of asbestos mined at the Karst Mine is called anthophyllite. It belongs to the amphibole group of naturally-occurring fibrous minerals known as asbestos.
Milled asbestos from the Karst or other mines can appear like dirty cottage cheese, fibrous, shiny chunks, or khaki, brown or gray-colored, fibrous or fine powder.
IS THERE ANYWHERE THAT I CAN GET A SAMPLE OF THIS MATERIAL. I CONSULT WITH THE EPA REGION 1, BOSTON.