Introduction
Once bustling hubs of industrial innovation, the textile mills of New England played a pivotal role in America’s economic development during the 19th and 20th centuries. These mills, located throughout Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine, supported thousands of jobs and communities. However, behind the legacy of manufacturing prosperity lies a silent, long-term health hazard: asbestos exposure.
This article explores the hidden risk of mesothelioma in New England’s historic textile mills. We’ll examine how asbestos was used in mill machinery, the communities at risk, and what former workers and their families should know today about potential legal and health actions.
Asbestos in the Textile Industry
Why Asbestos Was Used
Asbestos was widely used in industrial applications because of its fire resistance, strength, and insulating properties. Textile mills, which involved processes that generated high heat and friction, incorporated asbestos in:
- Heat-resistant clothing (worn by workers)
- Insulation for boilers, pipes, and machinery
- Dryer felts and conveyor belts
- Gaskets and protective gear
Textile machinery operated under extreme temperatures, making asbestos insulation and components essential for perceived worker safety and equipment durability. Unfortunately, this solution brought unintended consequences that many didn’t understand at the time.
The Textile-Asbestos Link
In mills, fibers from asbestos materials often became airborne, especially during maintenance or breakdowns. Workers in spinning, weaving, and dyeing departments were regularly exposed, especially in enclosed areas with poor ventilation. Maintenance personnel were at even higher risk due to direct interaction with asbestos-insulated equipment.
A 2009 study published in Occupational and Environmental Medicine found that textile workers exposed to asbestos had a significantly higher risk of developing mesothelioma compared to the general population1.
New England: The Epicenter of Asbestos Textile Exposure
A Regional Overview
New England’s industrial economy heavily relied on textile mills throughout the 1800s and into the mid-20th century. Cities like Lowell (MA), Manchester (NH), Pawtucket (RI), and Biddeford (ME) thrived due to their large mill complexes. With economic dependence on these industries came generational employment, often leading entire families to work within the same facilities.
Known Mill Sites with Asbestos Risk
- Boott Cotton Mills, Lowell, Massachusetts
Although now a museum and office space, this historic site once housed heavy industrial machinery that used asbestos insulation. - Amoskeag Manufacturing Company, Manchester, New Hampshire
Once the largest textile plant in the world, it used miles of steam pipes wrapped in asbestos insulation. - American Woolen Company, Lawrence, Massachusetts
Known for producing woolen fabrics for the military, this facility employed asbestos to protect both workers and machines from high heat during wartime production. - Sayles Finishing Plants, Rhode Island
Finishing processes involved intense heat application, and asbestos gloves and pads were standard.
Many of these buildings have since been repurposed, but the health risks persist for former workers and nearby residents who experienced secondary exposure.
Occupational and Secondary Exposure in Mill Towns
Primary Exposure
The direct handling of asbestos materials exposed workers to microscopic fibers. Jobs most at risk included:
- Boiler operators
- Maintenance staff
- Machine operators
- Electricians and pipefitters
- Equipment cleaners
Fibers became embedded in lungs over time, often leading to mesothelioma decades later. Because symptoms typically emerge 20 to 50 years after exposure, many retirees today are only now being diagnosed.
Secondary Exposure: Families at Risk
Many New England mill workers unknowingly brought asbestos fibers home on their clothing, exposing family members—especially spouses and children—to secondary exposure.
A 2013 study published in Environmental Health concluded that individuals exposed to asbestos secondarily through family members were still at significant risk of developing mesothelioma2.
Mesothelioma: The Legacy Disease
What Is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive form of cancer that affects the lining of the lungs (pleura), abdomen (peritoneum), or heart (pericardium). It is almost exclusively caused by asbestos exposure. Symptoms often mimic other illnesses and include:
- Shortness of breath
- Chest or abdominal pain
- Chronic cough
- Fatigue
- Weight loss
Diagnosis Challenges
Because of the latency period, mesothelioma often goes undetected until advanced stages. New England residents who worked in or lived near textile mills decades ago may now face confusing diagnoses that delay treatment.
The Environmental Risk of Abandoned Mills
Asbestos in Redeveloped and Derelict Mills
Many former mill buildings have been repurposed into lofts, offices, or community spaces. Unfortunately, some redevelopment projects were poorly managed or ignored asbestos remediation, leaving residual contamination. In other towns, derelict mill buildings remain abandoned, slowly deteriorating and leaking asbestos fibers into the environment.
A 2020 report by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection listed over 100 former mill sites requiring asbestos inspection or abatement before repurposing3.
Risk to Current Residents
Inhalation of disturbed asbestos fibers from old buildings, especially during demolition or renovation, poses ongoing public health risks. Residents living near these sites may be unknowingly exposed during:
- Construction or demolition work
- Fire or structural collapse
- Wind dispersal from damaged building materials
Legal and Financial Help for Victims
Statute of Limitations in New England States
Each state in New England has unique statutes governing how long individuals have to file claims after a mesothelioma diagnosis:
- Massachusetts: 3 years from diagnosis or death
- New Hampshire: 3 years from diagnosis
- Rhode Island: 3 years
- Connecticut: 3 years
- Vermont: 3 years
- Maine: 6 years (among the longest windows)
However, proving exposure, especially in decades-old cases, often requires legal guidance and historical documentation.
Types of Legal Claims
- Personal Injury Lawsuits: For individuals diagnosed with mesothelioma due to workplace exposure.
- Wrongful Death Claims: Filed by surviving family members of someone who died due to asbestos-related disease.
- Asbestos Trust Funds: Many manufacturers and insurers have set aside billions of dollars for victims, even if the companies no longer exist.
A 2021 analysis from the RAND Corporation noted that over $30 billion remains in U.S. asbestos trust funds4.
How to Get Screened or Diagnosed
Free Screening Programs
Some states, health clinics, and legal advocacy groups offer free mesothelioma screenings to former industrial workers. The New England Asbestos Legal Center and organizations like Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation help connect patients to:
- Asbestos disease specialists
- Early screening programs
- Treatment centers in Boston, Providence, and Hartford
What to Tell Your Doctor
If you or a loved one lived or worked near a textile mill in New England before the 1980s, it’s important to share this history with your healthcare provider, even if you feel healthy.
Early diagnosis can improve treatment options and long-term prognosis.
What Families Can Do Today
- Gather Employment and Health Records
Start compiling documents from former employers, union affiliations, or Social Security records that can prove mill employment. - Talk to Neighbors and Former Colleagues
Collective memory can help validate claims and identify specific asbestos-related hazards at old mill sites. - Consult with Asbestos Attorneys
Law firms specializing in asbestos litigation can help you navigate trust fund claims, identify potential defendants, and understand your options. - Support Awareness and Redevelopment
Advocate for environmental assessments of abandoned mills in your area. Town boards and state agencies often need public input before funding remediation efforts.
Conclusion
The majestic brick buildings that dot many New England towns are more than relics of an industrial past—they’re silent witnesses to a hidden health crisis. Asbestos use in textile mills exposed thousands of workers and residents to the risk of mesothelioma, and many are only now beginning to understand the consequences.
Whether you’re a former worker, a family member, or a concerned neighbor, knowing the signs of asbestos exposure and understanding your rights is the first step. The story of New England’s mills isn’t over—it continues through the lives and health of those who worked there.
References
- Dement, J. M., et al. (2009). “Asbestos exposure and mortality among textile workers: a retrospective cohort study.” Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 66(8), 535–542. https://doi.org/10.1136/oem.2008.043588 ↩
- Ferrante, D., et al. (2013). “Mortality and mesothelioma incidence among family members of asbestos workers in Casale Monferrato, Italy.” Environmental Health, 12(1), 15. https://doi.org/10.1186/1476-069X-12-15 ↩
- Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (2020). “List of Sites Requiring Asbestos Abatement.” https://www.mass.gov ↩
- Dixon, L., McGovern, G., et al. (2021). “Asbestos Bankruptcy Trusts: An Overview of Trust Structures and Compensation.” RAND Corporation. https://www.rand.org ↩
