[Rockhounds] PRPA now public law

[DonH]

Kris Rowe wrote:


> Case in point, does anyone actually know an *individual* who has contracted
> asbestosis from exposure in the Clear Creek Management Area? When I see
> "could" in EPA statements, I see someone playing an anti-litigation
> maneuver, which is quite understandable in today's lawyer driven society.


They are doing exactly what the public wants them to do.  The courts are 
full of cases where some gov't or business "knew the risk" and then 
allowed people to be exposed--just ask the W.R. Grace company and the 
people of Libby, Montana.  In my personal and unofficial opinion, the 
EPA does go overboard and gets some things wrong (what the heck is 
"naturally occurring asbestos," in the sense that ALL asbestos is 
naturally occuring?).  However, there is some correlation between 
exposure and asbestosis as well as lung cancer and mesothelioma.  The 
NIOSH has determined that NO exposure level is safe; after what happened 
in Libby, the EPA seems downright paranoid and will do anything to 
protect the public.

Are you familiar with El Dorado Hills?  Those are your fellow 
Californians screaming about the "naturally occuring asbestos" in the 
land around their expensive houses.

http://www.edhasbestos.com/

It is most unfortunate that there is an asbestos exposure risk at CCMA. 
  However, there is, and until we have really solid toxicology and 
epidemiology, and given THE PUBLIC'S response to the issue, the EPA has 
chosen to operate with an abundance of caution.

http://www.epa.gov/region09/toxic/noa/clearcreek/pdf/ccma-sampling-and-analysis-plan.pdf



Don