Boston Metro Exposure Map
Documented Exposure Sites
| # | Facility | Area | Industry | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boston Naval Shipyard (Charlestown) | Charlestown | Naval Ship Repair | Critical |
| 2 | General Electric River Works | Lynn | Defense / Jet Engine Mfg. | Critical |
| 3 | Boston Edison (New Boston Station) | South Boston | Power Generation | High |
| 4 | Boston & Maine Railroad Shops | Charlestown / East Boston | Railroad Maintenance | High |
| 5 | New England Gas & Electric (Cambridge) | Cambridge | Utilities | Moderate |
| 6 | Sylvania Electric (Salem / Lynn) | Lynn / Salem | Electronics Manufacturing | Moderate |
| 7 | Bethlehem Steel (Boston) | South Boston | Steel Fabrication | High |
Boston Navy Yard & GE Lynn: Two Dominant Exposure Sites
The Boston Naval Shipyard in Charlestown was established in 1800 and operated continuously until 1974, repairing and outfitting Navy vessels throughout both World Wars and the Korean War. Workers installed and removed asbestos pipe insulation, boiler lagging, and fireproofing on hundreds of Navy ships during overhauls. At peak WWII production, the yard employed nearly 20,000 workers.
General Electric’s River Works plant in Lynn was one of the largest jet engine manufacturing facilities in the world during the Cold War era. Workers built J79 and TF39 jet engines for military aircraft using asbestos-containing gaskets, seals, and heat shields. The facility also produced steam turbines and generators with extensive asbestos insulation. GE is a major defendant in Massachusetts asbestos litigation.
Yes. Boston Naval Shipyard workers repaired and overhauled Navy vessels throughout the 20th century, with asbestos used in pipe insulation, boiler lagging, gaskets, and fireproofing throughout each ship. Ship overhaul work is especially hazardous because workers must disturb existing asbestos to access underlying systems for repair. Massachusetts’ 3-year statute of limitations (Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 260, § 2A) starts on the date of confirmed mesothelioma diagnosis.