W.R. Grace Trial Continues in Missoula

Taking the stand last week at the W. R. Grace trial in Missoula, Montana were a research scientist and a toxicologist, who testified on behalf of the prosecution.

The Missoulian newspaper reported that Doctor Julie Yang took the stand. She testified that it was impossible to make products from vermiculite ore mined in Libby, Montana, that did not release asbestos. Dr. Yang was employed by the W.R. Grace Company for 20 years as a research manager. Dr. Yang still works for the company as a consultant.

Dr. Yang stated that the results of all the W.R. Grace Company tests proved that any product containing vermiculite would release asbestos.

Also taking the stand yesterday was Dr. Daniel Teitelbaum. Dr. Teitelbaum is a toxicologist who reviewed the chest X-rays from a study of a group of Libby miners. Dr. Teitelbaum compared the results of the Libby study to the results of a similar study on miners from South Carolina. According to Dr. Teitelbaum, the Libby study showed “a high attack rate of asbestos.”

Dr. Teitelbaum testified that W.R. Grace never performed any follow-up studies, which were recommended by the radiologists who performed the screening.

The W.R. Grace trial is an ongoing federal trial which seeks to find if W.R. Grace and Company and five of the company directors knowingly endangered their employees and the communities surrounding their operations, and whether they did so in violation of federal law.

Many of the citizens of Libby are now suffering from various asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos-related diseases have been linked to over 200 deaths in Libby. Many residents have reported a diagnosis of mesothelioma cancer, a fatal disease that affects less than 3,000 Americans annually.

W.R. Grace is accused of violating the federal Clean Air Act, as well as obstructing justice.