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Associated Press - February 13, 2009 3:05 PM ET
MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) - Under fire for a report that linked illnesses to a former asbestos mine in Eden, the Vermont Health Department has agreed to do more research.
Officials say the new data could show that no one died from the lung disease asbestosis contracted from living near the mine.
In November the Health Department released a report that showed residents who lived near the former Vermont Asbestos Group mine had higher-than-normal rates of contracting or dying of asbestosis.
Five deaths, including 2 of mine workers, and 14 hospitalizations were reported, from 1995 to 2006 in the 13 towns within 10 miles of the mine.
The Health Department also originally reported that it found a higher rate of lung cancer, but later announced that that finding was wrong.
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