The Vermont Commissioner of Health, Dr. Wendy Davis, spoke about recent findings by the state’s Department of Health regarding the Belvidere Mountain asbestos mine in Lowell and Eden. The study found significantly increased risks of asbestos related diseases among the people living near the mine.

All Terrain Vehicle Activity Not a Good Idea

Closed in 1993, the huge Belvidere Mountain mine in Lamoille County is more than 100 years old. It’s a popular spot for all-terrain vehicle (ATV) riders, but the recent news may dampen some enthusiasm for this sport at the 2,000-acre mine. Commissioner Davis put it bluntly: “Don’t go near [the mine site]. If you have to go near it do not undertake any activity that stirs up the dust…the less this stuff is stirred up the better.”

Three Sets of Data Confirm the Risk

The Department of Health study examined three sets of data:

• death certificates
• hospital discharge reports
• a registry of cancer patients

The data from all three types of data revealed that the rates of both asbestosis and cancer were greater among people who lived near the mine and those who worked at the mine.

Seeking Federal Help for a Solution

Davis noted that the state is seeking federal funding for additional study, and that the mine may eventually be declared a Superfund site by the Environmental Protection Agency. The onsite EPA coordinator, Gary Lipson, described the mine this way: “It is just too big, with too many potential problems, to sit there for another 50 or 100 years.”

(Source: Times Argus)

If You Have Concerns about an Asbestos Source Near You

If you’re concerned about an asbestos source in your area — whether natural or man-made — contact mesothelioma centers to speak with an attorney that represents the victims of asbestos poisoning. Protect your family and your legal rights.