Asbestos in Rhode Island

Workers in Rhode Island who were exposed to asbestos may have unknowingly put their families at risk of secondary exposure. This can occur when asbestos fibers stick to a worker’s clothing or hair, and a family member inhales the fibers.

Homeowners in Rhode Island may also be at risk of asbestos exposure if their houses were built or remodeled between the 1940s and 1980s. Asbestos can be found in adhesives, caulk, insulation, plasters, shingles, tiles and many other building materials.

Apartment building residents may also be at risk of exposure. In 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) took action against two property management and real estate development firms in Providence. These companies allegedly violated the Clean Air Act asbestos reporting requirements.

Schools

Across the state, Rhode Island has many schools built with asbestos-containing materials. For example, Ashton Elementary School, McCourt Middle School and North Cumberland Middle School were all confirmed to have asbestos floor tiles.

In 1980, a statewide survey on spray-on asbestos use in schools was conducted. The study showed that 24 of 326 schools, or 8%, tested positive for asbestos.

The Rhode Island Asbestos Act and the 1986 Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act now ensure that schools have asbestos management plans in place and conduct regular asbestos inspections.

Military

Located on Aquidneck Island, the maritime city of Newport is home to Naval Station Newport. This well-known U.S. naval base has been in operation since 1900. After being declared a Superfund site, asbestos waste was found on-site in a rubble fill.

In addition to this discovery, many Navy ships were built with asbestos products through the 1970s. The carcinogen could be found in most parts of these ships. Military bases also often relied on asbestos in their construction, which heightens the risk of exposure for Army veterans.

Manufacturing

Providence, Rhode Island, has long been an industrial hub. Manufacturers of all kinds were based in the state’s capital city. They made electrical equipment, machinery, silverware, textiles, water heaters and boilers.

These manufacturing companies may have exposed their employees to asbestos. The facilities and machinery often contained asbestos products. Businesses in Rhode Island with known asbestos exposure include A. O. Smith Corporation, Acme Tile Company and Halkyard Manufacturing Company.

Shipbuilding

Given Rhode Island’s coastal location, many shipyards are located along the state’s shores. Ships were built and repaired at these sites, including Herreshoff Boatyard in Bristol and Wickford Shipyard in North Kingstown.

Shipbuilding is considered among the most dangerous jobs for exposing workers to asbestos. This is because the mineral was heavily used throughout all the ship’s parts. Many shipwrights, shipyard workers and nearby residents may have been exposed to high levels of asbestos.

Breweries

Breweries with an established history often have older facilities that may contain asbestos. The mineral was commonly used in construction and machinery. Several breweries in Rhode Island are known to have had some level of asbestos, including Narragansett Brewery and Management Brewery in Cranston.

03. Superfund Sites

Asbestos Superfund Sites in Rhode Island

The EPA has identified 13 Superfund sites in Rhode Island that contain various types of contamination. The agency identified asbestos as a contaminant at two of these sites, the Newport Naval Education and Training Center (NETC) and Stamina Mills.

Naval Station Newport

The Naval Station Newport was used as a refueling depot for the U.S. Navy from 1900 to the mid-1970s. Once called the NETC, the base spans 1,063 acres on Aquidneck and Gould Islands. It includes the towns of Portsmouth, Middletown, Newport and Jamestown.

The NETC was added to the Superfund list in 1989 for contamination in multiple areas. These areas include a former shipyard, a fire training area, five tank farms, a landfill and the groundwater. Asbestos-containing material was found at Coddington Cove Rubble Fill. Also known as Coddington Point, the Navy used this site for the disposal of ash, asphalt, brush, concrete, rubble, slate and wood.

Both the EPA and the Navy have investigated the naval base and are aiding in the cleanup process. Because of the number of contaminated areas, cleanup efforts and monitoring are ongoing. Today, the site still operates as a naval base and is referred to as Naval Station Newport.

Stamina Mills

Stamina Mills was a five-acre textile mill in North Smithfield, Rhode Island. The textile mill operated from the early 1900s through 1975. Many years later, the EPA identified asbestos-containing materials in an old office building on the property.

The office building was the last original structure at Stamina Mills. When part of the roof collapsed, it increased the likelihood of airborne asbestos fibers. For this reason, the office building was demolished in 2021. The site remains under EPA supervision.

04. Exposure in Rhode Island Cities

Asbestos Exposure in Rhode Island Cities

Below is a list of Rhode Island cities with known asbestos use at jobsites. Any level of exposure may put workers at risk of developing mesothelioma, lung cancer and other asbestos-related diseases. Click on a city to see more detailed information about exposure risks and resources available.

• Newport
• Pawtucket
• Providence

05. Other Work Sites

Asbestos Risks at Other Rhode Island Jobsites

In addition to these major Rhode Island cities, asbestos exposure has occurred at other jobsites throughout the state. Anyone who experiences asbestos exposure faces the risk of developing mesothelioma and other asbestos diseases.