Vermont Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure Risks

Vermont has the somewhat infamous reputation as being the original state to commercially mine asbestos, by the New England Asbestos Mining and Milling Company, in 1899. The actual mine was on Mount Belvedere, but only operated for 3 years before being temporarily shut down. After reopening, it was referred to as the Eden-Belvadere mine and supplied asbestos to practically all of the United States. This was due to its ecological and environmental attributes-the Green Mountain state had green mountains because of the minerals contained in them, including serpentine-the basis of a type of asbestos called chrysotile. Not only that, there were many sites in the northern half of the state that could have been, but never were, actually developed for asbestos production (per the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry) This was quite fortunate, as it turned out one of the areas would have produced amphibole fiber, which is even deadlier than chrysotile. Once the hazards of asbestos become public knowledge, production at the Mount Belvedere Mine gradually lessened, but it still remained in operation longer than any other asbestos producer in the country. It eventually shut its doors as well, but not until 1993.

At-Risk Occupations and Locations in Vermont

Asbestos exposure in Vermont was not limited to the mining or processing plants. Asbestos was also heavily utilized in the Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Plant (which is now run by Entergy Nuclear). Employees at these locations were placed at serious risk, due to the preponderance of asbestos use in all facets of plant operations. It was used not only to protect the job site at the power plant, but was used in the protective garments of workers as well. Unfortunately, if the aprons, hoods, or gloves became ripped, asbestos would float out and into the air, just as it did during the processing of it in the mines. Once it was in the general breathing space, fibers would attach themselves to workers' clothing or hair and be carried into homes and the community, where it contaminated the air. If inhaled the fibers remained in lungs for up to 40 or 50 years, at which point, the victim was frequently diagnosed with a disease, often fatal. But it wasn't just asbestos workers and their circle of friends and family who were in danger. Asbestos has been found in many of the old buildings that still exist throughout the state, since the properties of asbestos were known to be efficient, readily available, and inexpensive. It was not only a heat and cold insulator, asbestos could insulate against flame, chemicals and sound. As such, it was crammed into crawl spaces, under attics and roofs, in between beams, columns and partitions, and under all manner of flooring. It was also wrapped around wiring, piping, ducts, shingles, and was used in even more creative ways regarding heating elements such as boilers, heaters, stoves and incinerators. As far as where in Vermont asbestos was utilized, the following list covers many, but not all of the locations. Schools: Brandon Training School, Brattleboro High School, University of Vermont, and Rutland High School. Health Facilities: Brattleboro Hospital, Springfield Hospital, University of Vermont Medical Building, Mary Fletcher Hospital, Newport Hospital, Rutland Hospital, and the VA Hospital in White River Junction. Public Facilities: Stowe Insurance Co., Brattleboro Howard Johnson's, Montpelier Capitol Office Building, Montpelier Senior Citizen House Project, and Hogback Ski Area Dorms. Businesses: Beecher Falls Manufacturing, Burlington Power Co., Burlington Telephone Company, General Electric, Gilman Paper Co., Hildreth Printing, IBM (Essex Junction), and National Life Insurance (Newport and Montpelier).

Jobsites with Known Asbestos Exposure

Asbestos-related Deaths in Vermont

Between the years of 1980 and 2000; there were 75 fatalities in Vermont that were due to diseases from asbestos. Regarding the asbestos cancer, mesothelioma, the state is ranked at #46 in the country in actual cases, but with a crude mortality rank at #13.

Legal Resources for Vermont Residents

Currently, the Vermont Federal District Court has no pending asbestos-related lawsuits. However, the state's Supreme Court ruled in 2006 that if a wrongful death plaintiff dies without a living spouse, child or parents, a sibling may file a lawsuit for loss of companionship. (This was a change from Vermont's previous stance, which limited awards to only financial loss.) In another case, Carter v. Fred's Plumbing and Heating, the state dismissed the lawsuit of a plumber whose asbestosis wasn't diagnosed until 19 years after exposure to asbestos.

State Index