Montana has been particularly hard hit by asbestos and the diseases it causes, such as asbestosis and mesothelioma. In the small town of Libby, more than 300 people have died from asbestos related complications, which is astonishingly high for a town of less than 3,000 residents. To honor those in Libby and elsewhere who have felt the direct effects of asbestos exposure, Montana Senator Max Baucus has successfully rallied his colleagues in Washington and passed a resolution designating the first week of April as “Asbestos Awareness Week” here in the United States. more...The removal and disposal of asbestos used as a building material is a dangerous, expensive and highly technical process. Contractors who work with the deadly substance usually need to hold a license from the state and require specialized equipment and safety precautions before undertaking any asbestos-related job. If proper procedures are not followed when working with asbestos, not only can there be significant health consequences for the workers, but the contractors also can be liable for significant financial penalties. In Gibbstown, N.J., local contractor Lovett Contracting is facing legal action and potentially stiff fines from the more...