Asbestos Exposure Sites in Vermont
Vermont has 1 documented asbestos exposure site spanning 1 industry. Workers at these facilities were exposed to asbestos-containing materials — often in shipyards, power plants, refineries, and manufacturing plants — and may be eligible for compensation through trust fund claims and lawsuits.
Asbestos Exposure in Vermont
Vermont's asbestos exposure history, while less prominent than heavily industrialized states, is linked to its manufacturing operations, military installations, and the talc mining industry. Vermont has historically been one of the leading talc-producing states, with mines in the southern part of the state near Ludlow, Chester, and Johnson that produced talc sometimes contaminated with asbestos fibers. Workers in these mines and in the talc processing facilities were exposed to asbestos-contaminated dust. The Vermont Asbestos Group (VAG) operated asbestos mines in northern Vermont near Eden and Lowell, where chrysotile asbestos was extracted from the 1970s through the 1990s. The former IBM semiconductor manufacturing facility in Essex Junction, one of the state's largest private employers, used asbestos in its cleanroom infrastructure and facility insulation. The Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Station in Vernon, which operated from 1972 to 2014, was built with asbestos-containing materials. Manufacturing operations in Springfield, Brattleboro, and other communities used asbestos in machinery and building insulation. Paper mills along the Connecticut River used asbestos in their equipment. The former Fort Ethan Allen military installation in Colchester contained asbestos materials. Vermont provides a three-year statute of limitations from discovery for personal injury claims and two years for wrongful death.
Major industries linked to asbestos exposure in Vermont: Talc mining, Asbestos mining, Semiconductor manufacturing, Nuclear power generation, Paper mills.
Notable exposure sites: Vermont Asbestos Group mines, Eden/Lowell; IBM Essex Junction facility; Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Station, Vernon; Talc mines, Ludlow/Chester area; Fort Ethan Allen, Colchester.
Frequently Asked Questions: Asbestos Exposure in Vermont
What is Vermont's statute of limitations for mesothelioma claims?
Vermont has a three-year statute of limitations from the date of diagnosis or discovery for personal injury claims. Wrongful death claims must be filed within two years of the date of death.
Was asbestos mined in Vermont?
Yes. The Vermont Asbestos Group operated chrysotile asbestos mines in northern Vermont near Eden and Lowell from the 1970s through the 1990s. Additionally, some Vermont talc mines produced talc contaminated with asbestos fibers, creating exposure for miners and processors.
Is Vermont talc contaminated with asbestos?
Some Vermont talc deposits contain tremolite asbestos as a contaminant. Workers in the talc mining and processing industry may have been exposed to asbestos-contaminated dust. This has been a concern particularly for mines in the southern part of the state.
Are there mesothelioma resources in Vermont?
We are expanding our directory coverage in Vermont. National mesothelioma law firms handle Vermont cases, and the University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington provides oncology care. Patients may also access specialized treatment centers in Boston.