History of Asbestos in Vermont
Vermont is a fairly small state and has a low population. As such, it has not been the industrial powerhouse that many other states in the East have been and this has sheltered its citizens from asbestos to some extent. The state is ranked 46th in asbestos-related deaths but the mesothelioma mortality rate there is listed at 13th in the nation.
No state was completely immune to the deadly spread of asbestos products, and Vermont had a heavy contribution to asbestos being sent to other states. In 1899, the New England Asbestos Mining & Milling Company began mining raw asbestos and shipped it to every state in the country during its 94 years of operation. The mine was located on Mount Belvedere. There were numerous other asbestos deposits in the area, but thankfully, most were never mined.
Paper is another industry associated with asbestos in Vermont. A number of paper mills operated in the state during the 20th century and it is likely that most of them had asbestos present in the facilities as well as in the manufacturing process.
Two other industries common to every state in the U.S. also are believed to have led to asbestos exposure in Vermont: power generation and construction. Asbestos was heavily used in power plants, wiring, electrical panels and partitions and for other uses because of its ability to resist heat, fire and electricity.
These same properties made it a popular ingredient in insulation, plumbing, floor and ceiling tiles and other components of buildings and homes. Nearly every building constructed before 1980 should be considered an asbestos risk until testing proves otherwise.
Companies at Risk for Asbestos Exposure
Below is a sampling of companies, facilities and organizations believed to have used asbestos in their business processes or to have had asbestos present in the environment in a way that could have put workers and patrons at risk—at some point in their history.
- Air Route Surveillance Radar Station
- Beecher Falls Manufacturing
- Brandon Training School
- Brattleboro High School
- Brattleboro Hospital
- Brattleboro Howard Johnson's
- Burlington Power Co.
- Burlington Telephone Company
- Entergy Nuclear
- General Electric
- Gilman Paper Co.
- Green Mountain College
- Hiawatha School
- Hildreth Printing
- Hogback Ski Area Dorms
- IBM
- Koffee & Teachout
- Mary Fletcher Hospital
- Montpelier Capitol Office Building
- Montpelier Senior Citizen House Project
- Mount Belvedere Mine
- National Life Insurance
- New England Asbestos Mining & Milling
- Newport Hospital
- Owens-Illinois Plywood Co., Inc.
- Roddis Plywood Corp.
- Rutland High School
- Rutland Hospital
- Springfield Hospital
- St. Johnsbury Trucking Terminal
- Stowe Insurance Co.
- University of Vermont
- VA Hospital in White River Junction
- Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Plant
Asbestos-related Deaths in Vermont
Mesothelioma deaths in Vermont between 1980 and 2000 are estimated at 46 – 77. From 1999-2004, an additional 29 mesothelioma deaths were reported. These numbers are much lower than many other states; however, they are still much too high.
Today, asbestos continues to be a threat for new exposures, in strong part because it is still present in many buildings and homes built before 1980.
Where to Find Help
Mesothelioma Treatment Centers
Two cancer treatment centers are located in Vermont. When you contact them, be sure to ask if they have a physician that has experience treating mesothelioma. It is also recommended that you ask them about clinical trials at their facilities or elsewhere that you may qualify to participate in.
Vermont Cancer Center
University of Vermont
Farrell Hall
210 Colchester Avenue
Burlington, VT 05405
Phone: 802-656-4414 (administrative offices)
802-656-2178 (clinical trials office)
White River Junction Veteran Affairs Medical Center
VA Medical Center
215 North Main Street
White River Junction, Vermont 05009
Phone: 802-295-9363, Toll-free: (866) OUR-VETS
You may also wish to inquire at these cancer centers located in nearby states:
Norris Cotton Cancer Center
Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center
One Medical Center Drive
Lebanon, New Hampshire 03756-0001
Phone: 603-653-9000
Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
44 Binney Street, Rm.
Boston, Massachusetts 02115
Phone: 617-632-2100, Toll Free: 877-420-3951
David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research at MIT
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
77 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139-4307
Phone: 617-253-8511
Fax: (6170 253-0262
There are a number of reasons Vermont mesothelioma victims contact a mesothelioma attorney:
- They need help paying for medical bills.
- Loss of income, benefits, wages or other losses puts their family's financial stability in jeopardy.
- They are angry that they weren't protected and want to hold those responsible accountable, publicly and financially.
- They want their day in court to convey their anger and to make those responsible see the harm they've caused.
- They want to help prevent someone else having to go through what they're suffering.
Simon, Eddins & Greenstone, LLP is a mesothelioma attorney firm with experience representing asbestos victims across the country. We have the training and resources to investigate, prepare and try your case. If you need financial help or feel you deserve your day in court, call today to speak with a mesothelioma attorney free of charge or obligation. 866-632-7574.