Possible Mesothelioma Risk from Asbestos Mine in Vermont

A recent report states people living near an abandoned asbestos mine in Colchester, Vermont are at higher risk of developing asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma. After learning these results, the state is now trying to determine whether waste from the mine has ever been used in construction projects or on roads.

The old asbestos mine near Eden and Lowell has been tagged with a health warning from the state due to possible risks of asbestos exposure. The state has warned local residents to stay away from the area to avoid airborne asbestos particles near the mine.

Scientists have studied medical records and death certificates from people who live or lived in towns located within ten miles of the abandoned asbestos mine, and found there is a statistically significant increase in the risk of developing lung cancer, asbestosis, and mesothelioma for people in these areas.

In fact, people who live close to the mine have as much as a twelve-fold increase in the likelihood they will pass away from asbestosis as compared to people who live further away. The risk of dying from lung cancer and malignant mesothelioma is also higher for people who live closer to the mine.

In addition, ATV-owners often use the site for recreational purposes, which is an activity that can potentially disturb asbestos fibers in the ground.

According to Linda Elliot of the Department of Environmental Conservation, officials are now trying to determine whether asbestos tailings from the mine have ever been used by the public or by commercial entities, as fill for driveways, on roads, construction sites, or in any other way.

It’s possible the asbestos waste rock at the site might have been used by construction or road crews, which would provide an increased asbestos-related disease risk for anyone who handled it unprotected.

The waste rock doesn’t actually contain a high percentage of asbestos, but even so, the risk is still present. In the past, some asbestos experts have claimed that as little as one fiber, when inhaled, could eventually cause the development of pleural mesothelioma.

This entry was posted on Monday, November 17th, 2008 at 3:25 pm and is filed under Asbestos Exposure, Mesothelioma. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS feed. Responses are currently closed, but you trackback from your own site.