The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently declared a public health emergency in Libby, Montana due to Asbestos concerns. Because of this, the EPA has begun testing for asbestos in residential yards near the former W.R. Grace & Company insulation factory in Washington.

The EPA has a team, donning hazmat suits and respirators, collecting soil samples in the area.

Concerns began when 400 deaths in Libby, Montana were determined to be caused by asbestos, along with 2,000 illnesses caused by the fiber.

The EPA is expected to be testing the areas around nine homes in Washington that were located near the old insulation factory and will be spending between $900 and $1,400 per yard analysis. The results are expected to be compiled in late August.