Ash Grove Asbestos Testing Results Released

Information has been released regarding the results of asbestos testing conducted at the Ash Grove Cement Company in Montana.

After a month of testing, the results of the testing are finally being made public.

Tremolite asbestos was discovered in the Ash Grove Cement Company’s quarry on March 16th, and the company took immediate action to shut down the plant. Workers were sent home, and were paid in full for a short period of time. Workers were not permitted to return to work until asbestos testing had been completed.

Some forms of tremolite are harmless; other forms can cause damage to the lungs when inhaled.

Asbestos inhalation is linked to asbestosis and pleural mesothelioma.

Over 280 samples were taken from the plant for examination, and the results were announced Wednesday night at a public meeting conducted by the Department of Public Health and Human Services and the Department of Environmental Quality.

The tests reveal that asbestos is present, although the amount of asbestos present is so low that the risk has been reported to be “negligible”.

Dr. Steven Helgerson, State Medical Officer, explained, “Of the many tests that were done and many sample results available, they were all at low or no detectable levels for asbestos, and the levels that were determined are all way below any known health risk.”

Some workers have returned to their jobs, but the company plans to continue testing for asbestos at the plant samples to ensure continued employee safety.