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State study: Potential health risk near Lowell asbestos mines |
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Thursday, 13 November 2008 |
By LAURA CARPENTER
Express Staff Writer
A study from the Vermont Department of Health has indicated a higher cancer rate in towns surrounding the Lowell and Eden asbestos mines than in the rest of the state.
In 2006, the Vermont Department of Health was approached by the
Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to assist in
developing strategies to understand the risk to Vermonters who lived in
close proximity to the asbestos mine located on Belvidere Mountain.
The Health Department in early November released its finding from a
comprehensive study regarding the health of people who live near the
site of the inactive asbestos mine. The Vermont Asbestos Group(VAG)
mine is located in Lowell and Eden, and became inactive in 1993. But
significant erosion of the mine had been observed since its closing.
The study, referred to as a preliminary epidemiological analysis,
suggests a potential for increase in asbestos-related health risks for
people who have lived within a ten-mile radius of the mine, which spans
over 1,500 acres.
The site has become a popular place for recreational activities, but
the state is warning people to stay off of it. The state recommends
people contact their health care providers if they are concerned that
they may have been exposed to asbestos.
The Agency of Natural Resources has also been investigating because of
the erosion of asbestos waste piles that are migrating into nearby
streams and wetlands.
The Vermont Asbestos Group Mine site is an inactive asbestos mine and
mill which began operating in the early 1900s. The asbestos ore was
mined from open pits producing chrysotile “white” asbestos. VAG was one
of a number of mining and exploration businesses that once operated out
of the property. Currently the site contains tailings piles estimated
at 29 to 30 million tons.
The current level of risk of asbestos exposure from living near the asbestos mine is unknown, the Health Department reports.
The primary exposure to asbestos fibers is inhalation. Fibers can be
collected on clothing and other surfaces and become airborne at a
distant time and place, causing additional exposure.
Those who worked at the mines were exposed to asbestos fibers the most,
says the department’s report. Exposure is now likely reduced since the
mine’s closing, compared to the years when the mine was still operating.
The Department of Health studied death certificates and cancer patient
records. The report cites data that the odds of dying from
asbestos-related illness are more than 12 times as high among people
living close to the mine compared to people living further away. It
found a 60 percent increase in the odds of developing lung cancer in
residents near the mine.
The study takes into account possible radon exposure and smoking. The
results of health problems are not from those sources, the report
states, because the average rate of smokers in that area is actually
lower than in most other areas of Vermont.
The study found several statistical associations between
asbestos-related death and disease and residents in the 13 closest
towns to the mine. Towns included in the study were: Albany, Belvidere,
Craftsbury, Eden, Hyde Park, Irasburg, Johnson, Lowell, Montgomery,
Newport Town, Troy, Waterville, and Westfield. Vermonters who died from
asbestos and Vermonters diagnosed with lung cancer statistically lived
closer to the mine the report says in its conclusion.
The study acknowledges difficulty in collating information. Related
diseases take many years to develop. Further studies are needed to
determine the current health risk of those living near the mine.
The federal Environmental Protection Aagency (EPA) is also seeking a
federal court order against the parties responsible for the
contamination, the press release says.
“We intend to aggressively pursue all available resources to ensure we
continue to thoroughly investigate all environmental and health
concerns,” said Human Services Secretary Cynthia D. LaWare in a press
release.
“We have requested that EPA and other federal agencies take the lead in
continuing to address the environmental and health impacts of the
mine,” George Crombie, the secretary of the Agency of Natural Resources
was quoted in the press release.
Officials from the Department of Health and Agency of Natural Resources
will meet with local selectboards in coming weeks and plan to hold
community meetings in early December. For more information, visit the
Agency of Natural Resources Web site: www.anr.state.vt.us/dec/wmd.htm
or the Health Department at www.healthvermont.gov/.
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 18 November 2008 )
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