Asbestos in Maine

Maine's older housing stock and industrial past have led to a significant presence of asbestos in buildings across the state, posing health risks to residents and workers.

Maine faces challenges with asbestos due to its presence in older homes, public buildings, and industrial sites. While asbestos was never mined in Maine, it was widely used in construction, shipyards and manufacturing. Learn about Maine's documented asbestos job sites, the health risks associated with asbestos exposure, and resources available to those affected.

Known Asbestos Job Sites in Maine

Explore 340 known asbestos sites and job-sites across Maine.

Job Site	City	State
Abenaki Mill	Madison	ME
ACandS	Lincoln	ME
A.C. Lawrence Leather	South Paris	ME
Acme Engineering	Portland	ME
Advance Bag & Paper	Howland	ME
A.H. Moulton	Portland	ME
Algin	Rockland	ME
Allen Quimby Veneer	Bingham	ME
Alloy Products	Sanford	ME
American Cyanamid	Sanford	ME
American Oil	South Portland	ME
American Woolen	Vassalboro	ME
Ametek	Portland	ME
Andrew J Newbury	South Portland	ME
Androscoggin Paper Mill	Lewiston	ME

Occupations with High Asbestos Exposure in Maine

Shipyard Workers: Maine's history of shipbuilding, particularly at the Bath Iron Works, exposed numerous workers to asbestos used in ship construction and insulation (Example: Bath Iron Works, Bath, ME).
Construction Workers: Asbestos was commonly used in insulation, roofing, flooring, and other building materials in older structures (Example: Former paper mills and industrial facilities throughout Maine).
Power Plant Workers: Asbestos was used extensively in power plants for insulation and fireproofing (Example: Central Maine Power Company facilities).

Maine Asbestos Regulations and Laws

Maine has enacted laws and regulations to protect workers and the public from asbestos exposure. These regulations are primarily enforced by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Maine Department of Labor.

Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)

The DEP oversees asbestos abatement activities, including licensing of contractors, permits for removal, and ensuring proper disposal of asbestos-containing materials. They also provide guidance on managing asbestos in public buildings and schools.

Maine Department of Labor

The Department of Labor enforces workplace safety regulations related to asbestos exposure, including permissible exposure limits, worker training, and the use of personal protective equipment.

Key Laws and Regulations

Title 38, Chapter 12-A: Asbestos: This chapter outlines the licensing requirements for asbestos abatement contractors and the regulations for handling and disposing of asbestos-containing materials.
Maine Asbestos Management Regulations: These regulations provide detailed guidelines for identifying, managing, and abating asbestos in schools and public buildings.

Sources

Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) - Asbestos: https://www.maine.gov/dep/waste/asbestos/
Maine Department of Labor - Bureau of Labor Standards: https://www.maine.gov/labor/bls/
Maine Legislature - Title 38, §1273: Prohibitions: https://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/statutes/38/title38sec1273.html

Were You Harmed by Asbestos Exposure in Maine?

If you or a loved one is sick or passed away due to asbestos, you may be entitled to significant financial compensation. Maine law protects victims of asbestos exposure. We can assist you in understanding your legal options.