Now here's an oft-forgotten side effect of asbestos - property prices.

Last November, health officials warned that living near an Eden asbestos mine could have serious health implications, including an increased risk of asbestosis and lung cancer. The officials reported that they had found a small but statistically large number of people living within 10 miles of the mine who had either died from or been hospitalized for asbestos-related conditions.

Residents of Eden are angry because they feel the report was presented without enough supporting research; indeed lung cancer is no longer a concern for health officials. Wendy Davis, the local Health Commissioner said, "the lung cancer association was, in retrospect, an error." She went on to say that what is not known is how lung cancer and asbestosis victims were exposed to asbestos, or even whether there is currently a health risk for residents.

Two meetings were set up to allow residents to discuss the issue with health officials. At the first meeting on Monday night, Wendy Davis apologized to residents for flaws in the studies. That apology was not enough to stem the flow of frustrated anger from residents, who say that the apology is not enough to repair the damage that's been done to the community's property values, their sense of safety, and their pride.

Officials say they will continue their research, and they hope residents will stay away from the mine.

Residents would like the state to do the same. "Leave the piles alone," said one, "leave them alone."

NECN