Asbestos in New Hampshire

New Hampshire's historical reliance on asbestos in industries like shipbuilding, textiles, and construction has left a lingering presence of the hazardous material in many buildings and sites, posing potential health risks.

New Hampshire faces ongoing challenges with asbestos due to its widespread use in various industries throughout the 20th century. While asbestos was not mined in New Hampshire, it was imported and heavily utilized in shipbuilding, textile mills, and construction. Learn about New Hampshire's documented asbestos job sites, the health risks associated with asbestos exposure, and resources available to those affected.

Known Asbestos Job Sites in New Hampshire

Explore 187 known asbestos sites and job-sites across New Hampshire.

Job Site	City	State
18 Harbor Avenue	Nashua	NH
A.C. Lawrence Leather	Winchester	NH
A.E.S.	Whitefield	NH
A.G. Dewey Woolen Mills	Enfield	NH
Air Route Traffic Control Center	Nashua	NH
Air Traffic Control Center	Nashua	NH
American Agricultural & Chemical	Portsmouth	NH
American Hoechst	Manchester	NH
American Locomotive	Manchester	NH
Andorra Forrest Products	Marlow	NH
Anheuser-Busch Brewery	Merrimack	NH
Ashuelot Paper	Claremont	NH
Atlantic	Portsmouth	NH
Bargers Sulphite Fibre	Berlin	NH
Bemis Brothers Bag	Claremont	NH

Occupations with High Asbestos Exposure in New Hampshire

Shipyard Workers: Shipbuilding activities, particularly at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, exposed workers to asbestos used in ship construction, repair, and insulation (Example: Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Kittery, ME (bordering NH)).
Textile Mill Workers: New Hampshire's textile industry utilized asbestos for insulation and fireproofing in mills, exposing workers to fibers (Example: Former textile mills in Manchester, Nashua, and Dover).
Construction Workers: Asbestos was commonly used in insulation, roofing, flooring, and other building materials in older structures (Example: Schools, hospitals, and public buildings constructed before the 1980s).
Power Plant Workers: Asbestos was used extensively in power plants for insulation and fireproofing (Example: Public Service Company of New Hampshire (PSNH) power plants).

New Hampshire Asbestos Regulations and Laws

New Hampshire has enacted laws and regulations to protect workers and the public from asbestos exposure. These regulations are primarily enforced by the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) and the New Hampshire Department of Labor (NHDOL).

New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES)

NHDES oversees asbestos abatement activities, including:

Licensing of asbestos abatement contractors and inspectors
Issuing permits for asbestos removal projects
Ensuring proper disposal of asbestos-containing materials
Providing guidance on managing asbestos in public buildings and schools.

New Hampshire Department of Labor (NHDOL)

NHDOL enforces workplace safety regulations related to asbestos exposure, including:

Establishing permissible exposure limits for asbestos fibers
Mandating worker training and certification for asbestos-related tasks
Requiring the use of personal protective equipment to minimize exposure.

Key Laws and Regulations:

Env-A 1800 Rules: These rules regulate asbestos management, abatement, and disposal in New Hampshire.
RSA 141-C: Asbestos Licensing: This law establishes licensing requirements for asbestos professionals.

Sources

New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) - Asbestos: https://www.des.nh.gov/waste/asbestos/management
New Hampshire Department of Labor (NHDOL) - Occupational Safety and Health: https://www.osha.gov/contactus/bystate/NH/areaoffice
New Hampshire Legislature - RSA 141-C: Asbestos Licensing: https://www.des.nh.gov/waste/asbestos/license-and-certifications

Were You Harmed by Asbestos Exposure in New Hampshire?

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