Latest Maine Asbestos and Mesothelioma News
A school district in Maine has decided to conduct a massive asbestos cleanup for all schools within the district. The renovations will be conducted this summer, and are estimated to cost about $7 million.
Article Added April 20th, 2007
Bath Iron Works
Bath Iron Works (BIW) is a shipyard located on the Kennebec River in Bath, Maine. General Thomas W. Hyde, a native of Bath who served under General Philip Sheridan in the American Civil War, incorporated Bath Iron Works in 1884. After the war, Hyde had acquired a local shop occupied in the manufacture of windlasses and other iron hardware used on the decks of the numerous wooden ships manufactured in Bath's many shipyards. Hyde extended the business by improving existing practices, entering new markets, and by acquiring other existing businesses in town.
In 1892, the shipyard won a contract for a 2,500-ton steel passenger steamer, the City of Lowell, the company's first profitable contract for a steel vessel. In the 1890s, the company also fabricated several yachts for wealthy sailors. Its biggest customer has historically been the U.S. Navy, for which the shipyard has built and occasionally designed cruisers, battleships, frigates, and destroyers, including the Arleigh Burke Class, which is amongst the most advanced surface warships in the world. The company continued to place heavy dependence on Navy contracts through the World War I, with the Navy providing 86% of the worth of new contracts between 1905 and 1917. However, the yard also created fishing trawlers, yachts, and freighters throughout the first half of the century. At peak production during World War II, the shipyard was launching a new destroyer every 17 days. In 1981, the shipyard contracted with Falcon Transport for two tankers, which are, to date, the last commercial vessels built by BIW. BIW was purchased in 1995 by General Dynamics and has been among the largest employers in Maine, with the potential exception of the Hannaford Brothers Supermarket Chain.
The Shipyard Industry continues to demonstrate its commitment to the works of American warships and commercial fleets and its workers have also shown their effort and commitment in the war effort. As a result of being exposed to hazards, they are now suffering with the danger of asbestos-related conditions such as mesothelioma, which is one of the deadliest diseases known to man.
Like other shipyards involving shipbuilding and repairs prior to the 1980s, BIW had a wide range use of asbestos-containing materials. Regretfully, many of Maine’s residents were exposed to asbestos in this shipyard. As a result, many residents are diagnosed with asbestos related conditions such as mesothelioma. Employees were rarely issued protective gear such as gloves, facemasks, or articles of clothing. Asbestos litigation has been growing since the late 1970s and accounts for the majority of toxic exposure cases. From 1988 to 1991, asbestos proceedings triggered much public action against the material, as asbestos cases constituted the majority of all product liability cases. If you or a loved one has been exposed at this facility, please fill out a form to receive a free informational brochure or call us directly at 1-800-532-3764 to speak with us today.
- Jeffrey Simon, Founding Partner
