Naugatuck, Connecticut

Naugatuck was settled in 1701 and later incorporated in 1844 as a town in New Haven County. With a estimated population of nearly 31,000, the town spans both sides of the Naugatuck River just south of Waterbury, and includes the communities of Union City, Straitsville, and Millville.

Initially a farming community, Naugatuck transformed into a thriving mill-town at the start of the Industrial Revolution. It was home to rubber, chemical and candy manufacturers. The town grew rapidly due in part to its location along waterways that ran local mills and factories, and in part to the development of a railroad line that transported finished products to the Connecticut coast for shipment all over the world. The United States Rubber Company was founded in Naugatuck in 1892 and maintained their corporate headquarters there until the 1980s. In the early 1900s, the cost of sulfuric acid (which was needed at the time to process reclaimed rubber) increased significantly. The United States Rubber Company responded by forming the Naugatuck Chemical Company to produce chemicals. The company quickly became one of America's leaders in the chemical industry. Naugatuck Chemical Company continued as a subsidiary of the United States Rubber Company until 1966 when it separated as Uniroyal Chemical Company. Eventually operations were moved to Middlebury, Connecticut. Another manufacturing giant in Naugatuck was Risdon Manufacturing Company (today known as the Crown Risdon Co. and headquartered in Watertown, Connecticut). Risdon manufactured total packaging for cosmetics, personal, household and other consumer products and home sewing items like common pins and needles, as well as other accessories. Naugatuck was also home to the Peter Paul Candy Manufacturing Company, the candy-making division of the Hershey Company from 1919 to 2007, known primarily for its production of Almond Joy and Mounds candy bars. In August 1955, Hurricane Diane and a significant amount of rainfall caused the Naugatuck River to overflow devastating the area. In the late 1900s and early 2000s, Naugatuck’s largest industries moved to other states or resulting in difficult economic times for the community. However, a revitalization project named “Renaissance Place” - a $707 million green, mixed-use, transit-oriented development that includes offices, retail stores, hotels, housing and entertainment spread-over 60 acres in downtown Naugatuck – is currently underway in an effort to revive the downtown as well as showcase its historic architecture.

Naugatuck's industrial background and significant manufacturing history have made exposure to asbestos an issue for workers and their loved ones. Use of asbestos containing products across many industries in Naugatuck was prevalent for many years.

Large Jobsites in Naugatuck where Asbestos Exposure Occurred

The Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance has compiled information obtained from a number of sources to identify the following large job sites in Naugatuck where asbestos exposure was known to have occurred. These sites are listed below. Click on them to get more detailed information.

Other Jobsites in Naugatuck where Asbestos Exposure Occurred

These additional jobsites in Naugatuck, CT have been identified as harboring asbestos containing materials. These sites, at one point in their history, were known to have exposed a variety of tradesmen to asbestos. We will be documenting in more detail how asbestos exposure occurred at these sites in the future on this web site.

Mesothelioma Cancer Centers Near Naugatuck, CT

For your convenience we have compiled a list of mesothelioma cancer centers that are located within a 100 mile radius of Naugatuck, CT. Please click on a cancer center link to obtain more information about the clinical programs offered, professional designations, areas of expertise and how to contact the center.

Mesothelioma Doctors Near Naugatuck, CT

For your convenience we have compiled a list of mesothelioma doctors who are located within a 100 mile radius of Naugatuck, CT. Please click on a doctor link to obtain more information about his/her background, areas of expertise, professional affiliations and office locations.