1)      Meeting began at approximately 7:05pm

2)      EPA Presentation – Linda Birnbaum - Overview and update of Libby Action Plan (see attached):

a)      Ted Linnert introduced Kathleen Atencio, Helen Dawson and Linda Birnbaum.

b)      Linda Birnbaum presented the Libby Action Plan.

i)        EPA has three agencies working the superfund site, Regulatory Agenda [Program Offices], Scientific Foundation [Office of Research and Development], and Implementation, Execution (by Region 8).

(1)   Program Offices – direct air and water regulations

(2)   R&D (Research and Development) – implements better policy regulations

(3)   Region 8 – the specific region dealing the specific states with superfund sites.

ii)       Health Risk Assessment:

(1)   The Risk Assessment involves three areas of concern, including health risk assessment, identifying the risk and risk management evaluation.

iii)     Support of the baseline Risk Assessment is an ongoing effort, with science being a part of the process, but assessing the risk and managing the risk are involved as well.

iv)     Region 8 Action Plan

(1)   Studies will be done including, filter size, distribution of fibers, low level soil detection, preparing of samples and verification and validation of information.

(2)   The R & D Office will provide research for the decision process.

(3)   Toxicology Studies will involve a seven part peer review of the studies, including; cell culture toxicity, animal studies, computer modeling (fiber size/dimensions), autoimmune diseases (animal) and cardiovascular disease (animal).

(4)   Fiber size studies ware critical for the toxicity studies. This will include intratracheal toxicity studies. These studies started two weeks ago and they are looking for lung, pleura, cardio and blood changes due to exposure. They are looking for possible blood tests for asbestos exposure. They are also looking to see if younger animals are more susceptible than adults for LA exposures. Dose studies are scheduled to be done this includes short and long fibers for short and long dosage levels.

(5)   Autoimmune studies are scheduled to start first part of October, cardiovascular toxicity studies are scheduled to start May of 2009.

v)      Risk Assessment

(1)   Principles of the Risk Assessment include the science information, biological information, validity and implementation.

(a)    The EPA Health Risk assessment includes dose response and hazard identification.

(b)    Tom Bateson is studying the worker cancer assessment focusing on lung cancers and mesothelomia. This assists the epidemiology data identify their strengths and weaknesses in the study. It is most important to understand the dose “slope” of exposure versus biological impairment.

 

3)      Meeting minutes/documents for review and approval: Insufficient time remained to review documents.

4)      Treasurer’s Report: Insufficient time remained for review.

5)      EPA Report – Mike Cirian: Insufficient time remained for review.

6)      ERS Report: Insufficient time remained for review.

7)      DEQ – Catherine LeCours: Insufficient time remained for review.

8)      W.R. Grace – Bob Marriam: Insufficient time remained for review.

a)      Bob did request a copy of tonight’s presentation (ACTION ITEM).

9)      New Business: Insufficient time remained for review.

 

10)   Next Regularly Scheduled LATAG meeting October 7^th, 2008.

 

11)   Adjourn

a)      JoElyn Brus made the motion to adjourn, Eileen Carney second the motion. Motion unanimously passed.

Meeting adjourned at approximately 9:00pm.