The testimony of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) official in the W.R. Grace trial continued this week. Paul Peronard, who coordinated the majority of the asbestos cleanup and decontamination in Libby, Montana, was questioned by Grace Defense attorneys on Tuesday.

The now-closed vermiculite mine in Libby was owned by W.R. Grace, and five of the company’s former executives are now being tried in a criminal case, accused of withholding information about the dangers of asbestos exposure from Grace employees and the residents of Libby.

According to Doctor Alan Whitehouse, who also testified on Tuesday, approximately 1,800 Libby residents have been diagnosed with asbestosis since the closing of the mine. Dr. Whitehouse also stated that he continues to diagnoses residents with asbestos-caused illnesses at a rate of about one new case per week.

Asbestos is known to cause a number of often fatal diseases such as mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer. Diseases caused by asbestos tend to have a latency period that can last up to fifty years, and often the disease is in the advanced states when it is discovered.

There is no known cure for mesothelioma cancer, and current mesothelioma treatment methods, such as resectable surgery and chemotherapy, are simply palliative measures.

Following a recess, the Grace trial will resume on Monday, March 9th with further testimony from Dr. Whitehouse.

Source:

KBLG.com

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