Former Boston-area Shipyard Workers Fear for their Health

October 30, 2006 - The Boston Patriot Ledger reports that former warehouse workers at the now-defunct Hingham Shipyard fear that they were exposed to large amounts of asbestos during their tenure there.

Though the buildings were recently razed, those who worked at Hingham in the past – including millwrights, plumbers, electricians, and others – were informed by a local environmental company that they may have been exposed to asbestos dust.

‘‘It was almost nonchalant, like nothing was going to happen to us,’’ said Bill Lane, 46, who worked at Hingham Shipyard for three years as a millwright. ‘‘They were downplaying it, but I’m very concerned.’’ 

‘‘They were saying that the asbestos was on the pipes and there was only potential exposure, but when the guys hit the building with trucks as they were making deliveries, asbestos showered down from the windows,’’ Lane said.

The state Division of Environmental Safety says there’s nothing to worry about and that the site had been inspected several times this year before the demolition. 

‘‘There wasn’t that much asbestos,’’ said Marty Cohn, a spokesman for the shipyard project. ‘‘Most of the buildings were built 60 years ago. It was an insignificant amount, and we complied with all the regulations that the (state) Department of Environmental Protection gave us.’’

Bruce Capman, Hingham’s executive health officer, said asbestos was found in more than one building in the area, but he remained unconcerned.

‘‘It took some time to remove everything that needed to be removed, but they did all that prior to demolition,’’ Capman said. ‘‘When construction begins there is no concern.’’

Capman also believes there were no health violations present that may have caused harm to the former warehouse workers.  Lane and his co-workers disagree.

“Everyone says it takes years and years to be diagnosed if you have it,’’ Lane told The Patriot Ledger. ‘‘It’s not like you’re exposed and after a few weeks, months or years you’re diagnosed. Every person is different.’’