Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure in Connecticut

Mesothelioma and Asbestos Statistics in Connecticut

Though Connecticut doesn’t have any reported natural asbestos, the mineral was used widely in many industries throughout the state.

• From 1999-2015, 582 Connecticut residents died from mesothelioma
• Connecticut has a mesothelioma mortality rate of about 10 ppl per million each year (Source: CDC)
• New London County and Windham County rank among the top 50 counties in the United States with the highest mesothelioma death rates, with respective rates of about 29 and 20 people per million from 2000-2009 (Source: CDC)
• While Connecticut has no known occurrences of natural asbestos, the state used to have an operating asbestos mine in Litchfield County (Source: USGS)

Asbestos Use Across Connecticut Industries

Though Connecticut is one of the smallest states in the country, there are numerous job sites and industries that made use of asbestos in their facilities.

Shipyards:

Several shipyards, such as the Thames Shipyard and Electric Boat Shipyard, were based in Connecticut. Because of the extensive use of asbestos in shipbuilding, shipyard workers are among the most at risk for mesothelioma.

Mining:

There are many mines and quarries in Connecticut that produce tons of raw minerals each year. At one time, Connecticut even had an unnamed operating asbestos mine that produced anthophyllite asbestos in Litchfield County.

Power Plants:

The ability of asbestos to resist extreme heat made it a go-to material for equipment in power plants. Millstone Nuclear Power Plant and Connecticut Yankee Nuclear Plant are a few of these operations known to have caused asbestos exposure among workers.

Manufacturing:

Manufacturers like the Ansonia Brass and Copper Company and Coca-Cola in Stamford relied on asbestos materials in their processes because of its durability.

Military:

Connecticut had several military bases, including the Naval Submarine Base New London which was the U.S. Navy’s primary base on the east coast. Veterans, especially Navy veterans, are at high risk of developing mesothelioma because of the widespread use of asbestos in navy vessels and on bases.

Asbestos Superfund Sites and Shipyards in Connecticut

Connecticut is home to several shipyards, as well as a few locations added to the Environmental Protection Agency’s Superfund List citing various environmental concerns like asbestos.

Electric Boat Corporation

The Electric Boat Corporation was founded in 1899 to complete the first practical submarine called Holland. This development led to Electric Boat being at the forefront of submarine technology. Eventually, the company acquired the New London Ship and Engine Company to expand its reach. With the expansion, the shipyard grew its workforce quickly, thus putting more workers at risk of asbestos exposure in the building of these vessels. This expanded shipyard in Groton remains the company’s headquarters today and is the main base for submarine design and assembly.

Naval Submarine Base New London

The New London Naval Submarine Base on the Thames River in Groton was known as the “Home of the Submarine Force.” Over time, it became the primary submarine base for the U.S. Navy in the East Coast. In 1959, the base already had over 8,000 employees and was the largest submarine base in the world, though that means an even larger workforce at risk of asbestos exposure. Today, the base occupies over 500 acres, has over 400 buildings and has about 10,000 workers with those on active duty and civilian employees.

Raymark Industries

Raymark Industries in Stratford was a manufacturer for the automotive industry. The company manufactured a variety of parts, including clutch pads, brakes, and other friction components. The company resided on a 34 acre property and historically dumped their waste on-site. This could be especially dangerous because many of these automotive parts often contain asbestos because of its heat resistance. Upon testing of the surrounding soil, groundwater and indoor air, the EPA and local agencies found many contaminants including asbestos and lead. The site was added to the Superfund list in 1995, and ongoing efforts for cleanup and remediation have been underway with the Department of Energy & Environmental Protection and EPA ever since.

Connecticut Cities with Asbestos Problems

Asbestos exposure on the job is known to have occurred in the following Connecticut cities. Prolonged asbestos exposure can cause the terminal cancer mesothelioma as well as other asbestos-related diseases. Click on any city below to view a complete list of commercial, military and residential job sites where asbestos exposure occurred in that city.

• Bridgeport
• Groton
• Hartford
• Naugatuck
• New Haven
• Stamford
• Stratford
• Wallingford
• Waterbury
• Windsor
• Windsor Locks

Asbestos Risks at Smaller Connecticut Job Sites

Workplace asbestos exposure is also a concern if one looks beyond the major cities and towns in Connecticut. Select a town below to see the list of its job sites known to have exposed workers to asbestos. Asbestos exposure at any one of the job sites revealed could have placed a worker at risk to develop mesothelioma cancer and other asbestos-related diseases.