Phase 1 Sites: Introduction ATSDR will investigate sites that processed Libby vermiculite in two ways: - By identifying ways that people could have been exposed to asbestos in the past or ways that people could be exposed now; and
- By determining whether the exposures represent a public health hazard.
ATSDR will use the information from these site investigations to determine appropriate actions, as needed, to protect public health in each location. We are conducting these site evaluations in two phases.
Phase 1 includes a review of 28 sites ("Phase 1 Sites") that ATSDR selected because they fell into at least one of two categories: - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) mandated further action at the site on the basis of current contamination; OR
- The site was an exfoliation facility that processed roughly 100,000 tons or more of vermiculite from the Libby mine. Exfoliation is a process in which vermiculite ore is heated at high temperatures to expand or “pop” it. These facilities are of particular concern because exfoliation causes higher amounts of asbestos to be released than other processing methods.
Fact sheets reporting the results for each site evaluation will be made public through the media and on this site as they are completed. Phase 1 will conclude with the completion of a summary report. Due in 2004, this report will consolidate findings and recommendations involving all sites evaluated during Phase 1.
In Phase 2, ATSDR and partner agencies will continue to evaluate sites that received Libby vermiculite and use the summary report from Phase 1 to determine further actions to protect public health as needed.
Where are the Phase 1 Sites? | 
