COLUMBIA, Md., Dec. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- W. R. Grace & Co. (NYSE: GRA - news) today reported Paul J. Norris, its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, met yesterday with Governor Mark Racicot in Helena, Montana, to pledge his assistance to the investigations into allegations that people in Libby, Montana, are facing ongoing health risks from exposure to Grace's former mining operations located near Libby. Grace ceased operations at that facility in 1990.
``We were surprised to learn of the allegations since no one had raised them with us previously, and agency oversight reports on the mine reclamation project were positive,'' said Norris. ``We are interested in learning the facts as quickly as possible so that we know what steps, if any, need to be taken. Grace has a team of experts in Libby prepared to assist the state and federal agencies in charge of the investigation as appropriate.''
When the allegations were initially made public, Grace wrote Governor Racicot and the EPA Regional Administrator, Bill Yellowtail, urging them to move forward with the investigations in an open and expeditious manner. Grace has been in contact with the EPA and is responding to the agency's requests for historical data on its operations in Libby.
``Everyone is taking the situation very seriously and responding accordingly. Our concern is that the people in Libby get answers to the questions that have been raised. Although the sampling results EPA announced are encouraging, we recognize more sampling remains to be done,'' added Norris.
Grace is a leading global supplier of catalysts and silica products, specialty construction chemicals and building materials, and container protection products. With annual sales of approximately $1.5 billion, Grace has 6,600 employees and operations in nearly 40 countries.
SOURCE: W.R. Grace & Co.
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