Massachusetts Asbestos Information

The State of Massachusetts has a strong industrial tradition. Many Massachusetts residents have worked in heavy industry, from shipbuilding to manufacturing. Due to the state's cold weather and highly urbanized population, many residents also work in heating and insulation, construction, plumbing, pipefitting, and related trades. Unfortunately, many of these industries can involve exposure to hazardous materials like asbestos. This carcinogenic material can cause serious health problems, including mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. Following the initial exposure to asbestos, these diseases can take many years, and often decades, to manifest. In terms of deaths caused by asbestos, Massachusetts ranked eleventh in the United States from 1979 to 2001, according to federal government records.

An ongoing federal investigation has revealed that over 250,000 tons of asbestos-contaminated material was shipped to Massachusetts between 1948 and 1993. The W.R. Grace Company shipped vermiculite ore from a contaminated mine in Libby, Montana, to processing facilities in a number of states. The procedure used to process the raw vermiculite released the asbestos fibers trapped within the ore. The airborne asbestos dust permeated the plants and likely dispersed into nearby communities. Most of the contaminated vermiculite was shipped to Easthampton, but over 10,000 tons was also processed in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Residents who worked in or lived near these facilities may be at an increased risk for developing diseases associated with asbestos.

In 2004, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry performed a series of asbestos investigations throughout Massachusetts, and the agencies uncovered almost two hundred violations over a three-month period. Most of these violations involved the removal, handling, and disposal of asbestos, which is now heavily regulated to protect workers from harmful exposure. The violations resulted in at least forty enforcement cases and over a million dollars in penalties assessed to responsible parties. This investigation reinforces the unfortunate truth that many businesses continue to negligently expose employees to airborne asbestos fibers, despite knowledge of the health hazards involved.

If your loved one has developed asbestosis, lung cancer, or mesothelioma from working around asbestos, please contact an asbestos attorney in Massachusetts to explore your legal options.

Asbestos Exposure in Massachusetts

Due to the concentration of industry in certain areas of Massachusetts, some counties have reported a higher number of asbestos-related deaths.

Massachusetts Counties Most Affected by Asbestos Deaths

• Middlesex County
• Norfolk County
• Suffolk County
• Plymouth County
• Essex County
• Worcester County
• Bristol County
• Hampden County
• Barnstable County
• Berkshire County

Find an Asbestos Lawyer in Your Area

If you previously worked in an industrial occupation and you have been diagnosed with lung cancer, asbestosis, or mesothelioma, an asbestos attorney may be able to help you receive compensation from your employer. Use LawyerShop to find a qualified asbestos lawyer in your city.