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Libby Asbestos HEPA Vacuum Cleaner Program
EPAs objectives for cleanup actions in Libby are to:
1. Stop the ongoing release of Libby asbestos by removing or
containing sources
2. Reduce health risks associated with exposure to Libby asbestos

EPA is accomplishing these objectives through a comprehensive
response including:
attic cleaning
interior home cleaning
outdoor soil removal
distribution of vacuum cleaners with High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters
an ongoing Operations and Maintenance program in Libby
Libby Asbestos
HEPA Vacuum Cleaner Program

HEPA Vacuums as Part of the Overall Cleanup

Examples of potential low-level or short-
duration exposure to Libby asbestos
include:
vermiculite insulation in walls (a
potential problem if the wall is slightly
opened up such as for a light fixture
or electrical outlet)
low levels of Libby asbestos
remaining in dust or in textiles
(couches or curtains)
Libby asbestos
present below
carpets (a potential
problem if carpet is
removed)
Libby asbestos
sources not
discovered at depth
in soils (a potential
problem if dug up)
personal possessions that were not
cleaned
Libby asbestos tracked in from soils
or other materials off the property


EPA intends to clean each property only
once by designing and implementing a
cleanup that will address all potential issues.
However, EPA recognizes that no cleanup
program can eliminate all exposures, levels
of risk, or possibilities for recontamination.
Situations presenting lower levels of risk may
be dealt with later through additional
investigation and potential cleanup or by
taking precautions.

Even after EPAs cleanup at a
property is complete and Libby
asbestos sources are removed
or contained, some asbestos
fibers may remain that could
lead to a low-level or short-
duration exposure to Libby
asbestos.

These remaining risks, while they cannot be
accurately quantified, are generally low.
The HEPA vacuums further reduce the
already low risks and ensure the continued
protectiveness of the EPA cleanup.
The HEPA vacuums
are another step in an
already rigorous
cleanup program, not
a substitute for
cleanup!

Who Will Receive a HEPA Vacuum?


may be low levels of asbestos in the
dust. Using a HEPA vacuum will
minimize that problem.


The details of HEPA vacuum cleaner
program may be adjusted in the future,
as more information becomes
available. EPA intends to conduct
post-cleanup sampling to evaluate how
cleanup and HEPA vacuums
performed. A Superfund risk
assessment may give EPA more
information on the risk of asbestos in
dust
.

The HEPA vacuum cleaner program is
voluntary, and property owners also
have the option of purchasing their own
HEPA vacuum now or in the future
(including property owners that dont
meet the general criteria for eligibility).

EPA will provide a HEPA vacuum to
every resident and commercial property
in Libby where there is a potential for
indoor dust contamination. This includes
properties where vermiculite was found
anywhere inside or outside in yards,
gardens, flowerbeds, or driveways. The
first people to receive a HEPA vacuum
will be those whose properties EPA has
cleaned up.

For properties that have not yet been
cleaned up or that dont meet the criteria
for cleanup, EPA will provide a HEPA
vacuum only after dust samples are
collected. This ensures that use of the
vacuum will not affect the sample results
and the resulting decision as to whether
or not a cleanup should be done.

Even if a property does not meet the
criteria for an EPA cleanup, there still

Status of the HEPA Vacuum Program

EPA is currently determining eligibility
and ordering the HEPA vacuums. This
will take time and will be spread out
over several years.
EPA will contact eligible property
owners about the units, either after
cleanup or after sampling.
Residents do not have to initiate the
process.
HEPA vacuums will be handed out at
the EPA Information Center or provided
after a cleanup is complete.
The Information Center will have
manufacturers information on whom to
contact for ordering parts, service, etc.
A manufacturers representative will
hold an information session in Libby.
This will be advertised when dates
have been scheduled.
Why Use HEPA Vacuum Cleaners?
What is a HEPA Vacuum Cleaner?


Operation and Maintenance

The manufacturers instructions will provide direction on how and when to
change the bag and filter. It is important to follow these instructions
carefully so that the integrity and performance of the filter is maintained!

The vacuum will be covered under the manufacturers warranty. Instructions on
how to register the vacuum for the warranty will be provided with the vacuum.
All maintenance will be the responsibility of the homeowner.
Questions?
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the HEPA Vacuum Program,
please call the EPA Information Center at 293-6194.

It is important to note
that the HEPA vacuums
EPA is providing are
NOT intended for bulk
removal of vermiculite
insulation from attics or
walls!
HEPA vacuums do filter out asbestos!
So, use of HEPA vacuums in the living
space will provide property owners with a
cost-effective, easy-to-use tool with the
following benefits:

Short-term, periodic use will remove
leftover contamination in dust tha
escaped EPAs cleanup. It will also
quickly and effectively remove fibers
present at such low levels that they did
not trigger a large cleanup.

Long-term, periodic use will help
prevent recontamination from outside
sources or from areas EPA did not
clean up. While EPA believes such
occurrences will be rare, the HEPA
vacuum provides a practical way to
address the issue with little effort,
giving property owners additional
assurance over time.

Long-term, periodic use can address
ongoing releases of non-Libby
asbestos (generally chrysotile
asbestos) from sources that EPA is not
removing, such as pipe wrap, floor tiles,
and ceiling tiles.

One-time use can address situations
where a small amount of Libby
asbestos is introduced into the living
space, such as when a wall is slightly
opened up or when carpet is removed.
Unlike some HEPA vacuum cleaners,
the HEPA vacuum cleaners provided
by EPA will have a fully-sealed
containment area and filtration
system. This ensures that all air,
debris and lung-damaging particles
pass through the vacuum bag and
HEPA filter and do not exit out other
areas of the vacuum cleaner.

In addition, the HEPA filter is located
beyond the motor to ensure all air the
motor draws in passes through it.
A vacuum with a HEPA filter is used
exactly the same way as a standard
vacuum. Its construction is also
almost identical to a standard vacuum.
The only real difference between a
HEPA vacuum and a standard vacuum
is that a HEPA vacuum filters the
exhaust air of the motor using a
HEPA filter.

A HEPA filter is made up of hundreds
of square feet of filter paper folded into
a couple of square feet of space.
These filters can remove 99.97% of all
particles that are 0.3 microns in size or
larger. The majority of Libby asbestos
fibers are between 0.5 and 5 microns in
size. For comparison, one inch
contains about 25,000 microns.

This means HEPA vacuums, if used
correctly, will successfully capture
almost all of the fibers of concern in
Libby.

The HEPA vacuum cleaners provided by EPA will come complete with
a floor attachment and hand tools.
Standard vacuums dont filter out
asbestos! The function of any
vacuum is to remove dust and dirt
from floors, furniture, or drapes.
Vacuums draw in the dust and dirt
and store it in either a bag or
canister. The air that is taken in with
the dust and dirt is pulled through the
vacuum system and exhausted
through the motor. Very small dust
and dirt particles, such as asbestos
fibers, can be drawn through the bag
and canister and returned into the air.