Asbestos in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico's industrial development, including construction, manufacturing, and military installations, has left behind a legacy of asbestos-containing materials in buildings and infrastructure, posing potential health risks to the community.

While asbestos was not mined in Puerto Rico, it was imported and widely used in various applications throughout the 20th century. This presents challenges due to the potential for asbestos exposure in older buildings, industrial sites, and even some residential areas. Learn about the risks associated with asbestos exposure in Puerto Rico and the regulations aimed at protecting public health.

Known Asbestos Job Sites in Puerto Rico

Explore 189 known asbestos sites and job-sites across Puerto Rico.

Job Site	City	State
ACandS	Ponce	PR
Aguirre Company Of New York	Jobos	PR
Alcoa Steamship	San Juan	PR
American Cyanamid	Manati	PR
American Union Transport	Guayanilla	PR
Andres Crosse	San Juan	PR
Antes Edificio Cafeteres De Puer	Ponce	PR
Antilles Brewing	Carolina	PR
Arecibo Observatory	Arecibo	PR
Atlantic Industries	Mayaguez	PR
Azucarera Sauri & Subtra Central	Ponce	PR
Bacardi Company Of America	San Juan	PR
Barcelo Marques & Company	Camuy	PR
Barcelo Marques & Company	Arecibo	PR
Baxter Travenol Laboratories	Culebra	PR

Occupations with High Asbestos Exposure in Puerto Rico

Construction Workers: Asbestos was commonly used in insulation, roofing, flooring, and fireproofing materials in older buildings across Puerto Rico (Example: Schools, hospitals, and government buildings constructed before the 1980s).
Shipyard Workers: Shipbuilding and repair activities at naval bases and ports exposed workers to asbestos used in ship construction and insulation (Example: Naval Station Roosevelt Roads).
Industrial Workers: Manufacturing and industrial facilities utilized asbestos in various applications, including insulation, gaskets, and fireproofing (Example: Pharmaceutical plants and oil refineries).
Power Plant Workers: Asbestos was extensively used for insulation and fireproofing in power generation facilities throughout Puerto Rico (Example: Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA) plants).

Puerto Rico Asbestos Regulations and Laws

Puerto Rico has adopted regulations and laws to protect workers and the public from asbestos exposure. These regulations are primarily enforced by the Puerto Rico Department of Health (PRDH) and the Puerto Rico Occupational Safety and Health Administration (PROSHA).

Puerto Rico Department of Health (PRDH)

The PRDH oversees asbestos abatement activities, including:

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

Puerto Rico Occupational Safety and Health Administration (PROSHA)

PROSHA 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

Regulation for the Control of Asbestos (Regulation Number 7375): This regulation establishes requirements for asbestos abatement projects, including notification, work practices, and disposal.
Puerto Rico Occupational Safety and Health Act: This act incorporates federal OSHA standards for asbestos exposure, including permissible exposure limits and worker protection measures.

Sources

Puerto Rico Department of Health (PRDH) - Asbestos: https://www.salud.pr.gov/
Puerto Rico Occupational Safety and Health Administration (PROSHA):https://www.trabajo.pr.gov/prosha/
University of Puerto Rico - Environmental Health and Safety: https://www.upr.edu/

Were You Harmed by Asbestos Exposure in Puerto Rico?

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