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Content on WikiMesothelioma is reviewed prior to publication by three named attorneys at Danziger & De Llano LLP. Dr. Luciano Mutti, MD, PhD, co-author of the European mesothelioma treatment guidelines, serves as the site's Medical Reviewer. See our editorial standards.

Stratford Connecticut Contamination

From WikiMesothelioma — Mesothelioma Knowledge Base


Raymark Industries Superfund Site
Stratford, Connecticut
Official Site Name Raymark Industries, Inc.
EPA Site ID CTD001186618
Location 75 East Main Street, Stratford, CT
Facility Size 34 acres
Operations 1919–1989
NPL Listing 1995
Contaminants Asbestos, PCBs, lead, copper
Operable Units 9
Properties Contaminated 46+ residential, 25+ commercial
BIL Funding $113 million
Status Ongoing cleanup (2026)

Executive Summary

One of Connecticut's worst environmental contamination disasters began not from an accident or negligence lawsuit, but from a deliberate business practice: a brake lining manufacturer gave asbestos-contaminated waste away as free fill material. Between 1919 and 1989, Raymark Industries (formerly Raybestos-Manhattan) operated a 34-acre manufacturing facility in Stratford, Connecticut,[1] producing automotive brake linings and friction products containing asbestos. Instead of properly disposing of its dried asbestos waste, the company distributed it free to residents, contractors, landscapers, and municipal facilities across the region. Dozens of homeowners used this "free fill" to level yards, create driveways, and landscape properties. A local ballfield was constructed on top of it.[2] The public health consequences followed. A Connecticut Department of Public Health review of cancer incidence in Stratford for 1958 through 1991 found that while overall cancer incidence was not elevated, three cancer categories exceeded the statewide rate: bladder cancer, mesothelioma, and cancer in people under age 25.[3] What sets Stratford apart is the exposure pathway rather than any single statistic -- the asbestos reached residents in their own yards and at a municipal ballfield, and it reached children.[2] The EPA designated the site a Superfund location in 1995, but remediation has taken decades. As of 2026, the agency has removed over 100,000 cubic yards of contaminated soil, cleaned 28 properties, and allocated $113 million in cleanup funding, with excavation continuing at the site's consolidation area.[2]

At a Glance

  • 70 years of factory operations — Raymark manufactured asbestos brake linings at the 34-acre Stratford facility continuously from 1919 to 1989[2]
  • 46+ residential properties contaminated — homeowners received free asbestos waste as fill material for lawns, driveways, and landscaping without any hazard warnings[2]
  • 270,000 cubic yards of contaminated fill — the volume deposited at Short Beach Park, where a children's ballfield was built in 1981 directly on asbestos waste[2]
  • Three cancer types elevated above the state rate — a Connecticut Department of Public Health review of Stratford cancer incidence for 1958-1991 found bladder cancer, mesothelioma, and cancer in people under age 25 each higher than Connecticut as a whole, even though overall cancer incidence in Stratford was not elevated[3]
  • $113 million in federal cleanup funding — Bipartisan Infrastructure Law allocation dedicated to accelerating Stratford site remediation since 2022[2]
  • 100,000+ cubic yards of soil removed — EPA and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have excavated contaminated material from residential and park areas to date[2]
  • 28 properties fully remediated — EPA-sponsored cleanup has completed work on 28 residential and commercial properties as of 2026[2]
  • 9 distinct cleanup zones — the EPA divided the sprawling contamination footprint into nine operable units requiring separate remediation strategies[2]
  • 24 mesothelioma cases in Connecticut chrysotile factories — identified across four plants that used chrysotile exclusively or predominantly, including the Raybestos-Manhattan friction facility in Stratford, with the author concluding additional cases were likely missed[4][5]

Key Facts

Fact Detail
Manufacturer Raymark Industries (formerly Raybestos-Manhattan) operated from 1919 to 1989 producing asbestos brake linings[2]
Waste Disposal Method Dried, powdered asbestos waste distributed free as fill material for lawns, driveways, and landscaping[2]
Residential Contamination 46+ residential properties and commercial/municipal properties received contaminated fill[2]
Short Beach Park Contaminated fill deposited; ballfield built on contaminated soil in 1981[2]
Health Impact Bladder cancer, mesothelioma, and cancer in people under age 25 each occurred above the Connecticut state rate in a 1958-1991 review of Stratford cancer incidence[3]
Superfund Listing Added to National Priorities List in 1995; EPA cleanup began that year[2]
Operable Units 9 distinct cleanup zones addressing different contamination sources and pathways[2]
Properties Cleaned 28 residential and commercial properties remediated[2]
Soil Removed Over 100,000 cubic yards of asbestos-contaminated soil excavated and properly disposed[2]
Federal Funding $113 million from Bipartisan Infrastructure Law allocated for site remediation since 2022[2]
Current Status Active excavation at Operable Unit 5 (Consolidation Area) ongoing[2]
Five-Year Review EPA review completed, confirming remedies continue to protect human health[2]

What Caused the Stratford Contamination?

The Raymark Industries contamination began with a deliberate business decision to save disposal costs. Between 1919 and 1989, Raymark Industries manufactured automotive brake linings at its Stratford facility. The production process generated significant quantities of asbestos waste -- a powdery residue from the manufacturing of asbestos-containing friction materials.

Rather than dispose of this waste through licensed hazardous waste contractors, the company implemented a "free fill" program. The dried, powdered asbestos waste was offered at no cost to contractors, landscapers, homeowners, and municipal authorities throughout the region.[2] Residents accepted this offer eagerly -- after all, it was free material that could level yards, create driveways, fill low spots, and landscape properties. City and town officials accepted it for public works projects, including parks and ballfields.

The company never clearly labeled this material as asbestos-contaminated, and many recipients had no idea what they were receiving. The waste was simply delivered as "fill dirt" or "ballast." Asbestos fibers, when disturbed in soil, become respirable -- they float into the air and are inhaled. Children playing in contaminated yards and parks inhaled asbestos fibers. Homeowners digging or landscaping their properties inhaled fibers. Decades later, Connecticut public health officials recorded mesothelioma in Stratford above the statewide rate.[3]

The asbestos fibers lodged in lung tissue and remained there for decades before triggering malignant transformation into mesothelioma. Published latency estimates span roughly 20 to 50 years: a cohort study of British asbestos workers found a median latency of 22.8 years (95% CI 16.0-27.2),[6] while a 2023 systematic review of the malignant pleural mesothelioma literature reports a mean interval of about 42 years from first exposure to diagnosis.[7] That interval is why fill delivered in the 1950s through the 1970s produced diagnoses in the 1990s and later, and why children exposed in contaminated yards reached the latency window only in adulthood.

"Raymark didn't dump asbestos in a remote location -- it gave it away to families. That's how 46 residential properties became contaminated. That's how children were exposed. That's why Stratford has this unique mesothelioma pattern."
-- Rod De Llano, Founding Partner, Danziger & De Llano[8]

How Many Properties Were Contaminated?

The full scope of contamination in Stratford is enormous. EPA records confirm that at least 46 residential properties and commercial or municipal properties received asbestos-contaminated fill material distributed by Raymark Industries.[2] This makes Stratford unique among Connecticut contamination sites -- it is not a single industrial area but a dispersed contamination affecting dozens of family homes across the community.

Residential Properties

At least 46 residential properties in and around Stratford received the contaminated fill material.[2] Homeowners used it for:

  • Driveway and pathway material
  • Yard leveling
  • Landscaping fill
  • Foundation work
  • Septic system leach fields

These properties were scattered throughout the Stratford community. Remediation efforts continue to identify additional affected properties as historical records are cross-referenced with EPA sampling data.[2]

Short Beach Park: The Ballfield Tragedy

Short Beach Park represents the most visible symbol of the Stratford contamination disaster. The park received contaminated fill material.[2] In 1981, when a ballfield was constructed at Short Beach Park, workers used contaminated fill as base material. For years, children played baseball on a field built on top of asbestos-contaminated soil.

The ballfield was built on contaminated fill in 1981 and used by children for years afterward, placing that exposure at the start of a latency interval that runs 20 to 50 years.[6][7]

Commercial and Municipal Properties

Commercial or municipal properties also received the contaminated fill, including:[2]

  • City and town public works facilities
  • Municipal storage areas
  • Commercial building sites
  • Parking areas and access roads
  • Landscaping around public buildings

Housatonic River Contamination

Beyond the direct contaminated properties, Raymark Industries also dumped waste into the Housatonic River, which borders the facility.[2] River sediments contain asbestos contamination. EPA restoration plans and environmental assessments for the Housatonic River remain ongoing, extending the site's remediation timeline and complexity.

What Were the Health Consequences?

Stratford's contamination reached residents where they lived rather than where they worked, and the public health record reflects that. The health agencies that reviewed the town found elevated rates in several cancer categories at once, alongside a residential exposure pathway that is unusual in asbestos litigation.

Stratford Cancer Incidence (1958-1991)

The Connecticut Department of Public Health conducted a preliminary review of cancer incidence in Stratford covering the years 1958 through 1991. Overall cancer incidence in Stratford was not elevated for that period. Three specific categories were: bladder cancer, mesothelioma, and cancer in people less than 25 years of age each occurred at rates higher than the state of Connecticut as a whole.[3]

Those three findings are separate. The review reported elevated mesothelioma without restricting it to any age band, and separately reported elevated cancer of all types among residents under 25.[3] It did not report mesothelioma occurring in people under 25, and this page does not claim that it did.

Residents who lived in Stratford during this window -- those who received contaminated fill at their homes, whose children played in contaminated yards and parks -- began developing mesothelioma in the late 1980s and 1990s as the long latency period expired.[6][7]

The causation pathway is clear: contaminated fill was distributed, families and children were exposed, 20 to 50 years pass, and mesothelioma diagnosis follows. That interval is consistent with the latency period reported for asbestos-induced mesothelioma.[6][7]

Childhood Exposure and the Latency Window

What distinguishes Stratford is the exposure pathway, not any documented age at diagnosis. Mesothelioma most often develops in people aged 60 to 80, reflecting the decades-long interval between asbestos inhalation and disease.[9][6][7] Occupational exposure normally begins in adulthood. In Stratford it began in childhood, in yards and on a municipal ballfield built directly on asbestos-bearing fill in 1981.[2]

A child exposed at age five in the 1960s enters the typical 20-to-50-year latency window in early middle age.[6][7] That is the mechanism by which residential contamination produces disease a generation after the fill was delivered, and it is why Raymark's distribution practice continued to generate claims long after the plant closed in 1989.[2]

Connecticut Epidemiological Evidence

A 1981 study examined the influence of occupational and environmental asbestos exposure on the incidence of malignant mesothelioma in Connecticut, reporting a rise in recorded mesothelioma incidence in the state across 1955 to 1977.[10] That paper predates the Connecticut Department of Public Health's Stratford review and cannot speak to the 1958-1991 findings above. Its incidence trend also carries a diagnostic-reliability caveat common to mesothelioma epidemiology of that era: part of any apparent rise reflects improving pathological recognition of the disease rather than a change in underlying occurrence.[9]

Connecticut's chrysotile factories have their own documented mesothelioma record, and it bears directly on this site. A 2025 article by Christopher Meisenkothen in New Solutions identified 24 mesothelioma cases among workers at four Connecticut factories that used chrysotile asbestos exclusively or predominantly, including several workers with no known amphibole exposure.[4] One of those plants is the Raybestos-Manhattan friction products facility in Stratford — the same operation that generated the fill distributed across the town — whose mesothelioma cases were first reported in 2010 and updated in 2020.[5][11] The 2025 paper's central finding is that recorded counts understate the true burden: additional cases were likely missed, and the author concludes the full scale of the hazard may never be completely known.[4]

Beyond mesothelioma, asbestos exposure of the kind documented in Stratford is associated with:[9]

  • Asbestosis (lung fibrosis from asbestos inhalation)
  • Asbestos-related lung cancer
  • Pleural plaques and pleural thickening (non-malignant but indicative of asbestos exposure)
  • Benign asbestos pleural effusion
Long Latency Creates Delayed Crisis: The 20 to 50 year latency period means that Stratford residents exposed in the 1950s-1970s did not develop mesothelioma until the 1980s-2010s. The full health burden is still emerging, as people exposed decades ago continue to develop disease.[6][7]

What Is the EPA's Cleanup Plan?

When the EPA designated Raymark Industries as a Superfund site in 1995, federal cleanup efforts began.[12] The site's contamination is so geographically dispersed that it required division into 9 separate "operable units" (OUs), each addressing a distinct source of contamination or geographic zone.[13]

The 9 Operable Units

Operable Unit Description Status
OU1 Raymark Facility (34-acre plant site) ROD signed July 3, 1995; facility demolished, capped, redeveloped as Stratford Crossing Shopping Center
OU2 Groundwater contamination Under investigation and monitoring
OU3 Upper Ferry Creek Area ROD signed September 2016; cleanup ongoing
OU4 Former Raybestos Memorial Field ROD signed September 2016; cleanup ongoing
OU5 Consolidation Area (multiple contaminated properties) Active excavation as of December 2025; EPA-Army Corps of Engineers partnership
OU6 Remaining additional properties ROD signed September 2016; soil vapor mitigation in homes and commercial buildings
OU7 Additional investigation areas Investigation stage
OU8 Additional investigation areas Investigation stage
OU9 Short Beach Park and Stratford Landfill ROD signed September 2016; remediation ongoing

Record of Decision Timeline

The EPA's cleanup approach was formalized through Records of Decision (RODs), which outline the specific cleanup remedies for each operable unit:[12]

  • July 3, 1995: First ROD signed for OU1 (Raymark facility site itself)
  • September 2016: RODs signed for OUs 3, 4, 6, and 9 (distributed properties, ballfield, park, landfill)
  • 2023: EPA proposed updated cleanup plan for 9 operable units, including Shore Road area ($11.2M estimated cleanup cost)

Cleanup Methods

EPA's cleanup strategy depends on the type of contamination and property:[2]

  • Excavation and Disposal: Contaminated soil is excavated and transported to EPA-approved hazardous waste disposal facilities
  • Capping: Where excavation is impractical, contaminated areas are covered with clean soil and sealed with geotextile barriers
  • Soil Vapor Extraction (SVE): For properties where excavation would cause undue disruption, vapor mitigation systems are installed in homes to prevent inhalation of soil vapors
  • Groundwater Treatment: Monitoring wells and treatment systems address contamination pathways into groundwater
  • Ballfield Remediation: Short Beach Park and Raybestos Memorial Ballfield are being excavated and capped; the ballfield will be reconstructed on clean fill

What Progress Has Been Made?

EPA remediation at the Stratford site has proceeded in phases over three decades.[12] While progress has been slower than residents desire, significant contaminated material has been removed and remedial work continues as of 2026.[2]

Measurable Progress

  • 28 Properties Cleaned: EPA-sponsored remediation has addressed 28 residential and commercial properties[2]
  • 100,000+ Cubic Yards Removed: Asbestos-contaminated soil totaling over 100,000 cubic yards has been excavated and properly disposed[2]
  • Soil Vapor Systems Installed: SVE mitigation systems have been installed at residential and commercial properties where excavation was not feasible[2]

Funding and Timeline

The remediation effort was stalled for years due to limited federal funding. That changed with the passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act) in late 2021:[2]

  • Initial BIL Allocation: EPA announced $23 million for Stratford site cleanup from Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
  • Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Total: $113 million allocated for Stratford site remediation

Current Status

Excavation continues at Operable Unit 5 (Consolidation Area).[2] The EPA and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are conducting active soil excavation, waste management, and ballfield capping operations. This represents accelerated remediation activity.

"The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law's $113 million funding has transformed Stratford remediation from a stalled project to an accelerated cleanup. For the first time in 25 years, we're doing the excavation work that should have happened in the 1990s. But we must remember: every cubic yard of contaminated soil was delivered to these families as 'free fill' decades ago."
-- Anna Jackson, Client Advocate, Danziger & De Llano[8]

What Happened to the Factory Site?

The original Raymark Industries facility at 75 East Main Street, Stratford, has been completely remediated and repurposed.[2] The 34-acre site, which operated as a brake lining and asbestos friction products factory from 1919 to 1989, was demolished in the 1990s.

The entire contaminated facility was capped -- the remaining contaminated soil was sealed beneath a protective barrier to prevent future exposure. The remediation for OU1 (the facility site) was formally approved.[2] Upon completion of capping and site stabilization, the property was redeveloped for commercial use.

The former Raymark facility site is now known as Stratford Crossing Shopping Center. Capping systems are in place beneath the commercial structures to ensure the sealed contaminated soil does not pose a risk to workers or visitors. EPA maintains a monitoring and inspection protocol for the site to verify the integrity of the cap over time.[2]

This redevelopment represents a common approach to Superfund sites: the contaminated facility is capped and converted to commercial or retail use rather than remaining as a vacant industrial site.

What Contamination Remains?

Despite three decades of EPA remediation efforts, significant contamination remains at the Stratford site.[2] The scale of the original contamination is so vast that cleanup is still ongoing.

Undiscovered and Unaddressed Properties

EPA's original survey identified 46+ residential properties that received contaminated fill.[2] However, historical records may not be complete. Some properties that received the fill material may not have been formally identified. Others may have been sold multiple times, with current owners unaware of their contamination history. EPA continues to investigate and identify additional affected properties.[2]

Short Beach Park

Short Beach Park remains partially contaminated. Remediation is proceeding in phases:[2]

  • Excavation of the most heavily contaminated areas
  • Removal of the contaminated ballfield base
  • Reconstruction of the ballfield on clean fill
  • Covering and capping of remaining contaminated areas not suitable for excavation

The park will remain operational during remediation, with phased closures of specific areas during active excavation work.[2]

Housatonic River Contamination

Raymark Industries dumped asbestos waste into the Housatonic River. River sediments and floodplain soils contain asbestos contamination. EPA and state environmental agencies maintain an ongoing remediation and monitoring program for the Housatonic River.[2] This represents a distinct environmental pathway beyond the residential properties and requires separate remedial action plans coordinated between Connecticut and Massachusetts (as the river crosses state lines).

Groundwater Contamination

Operable Unit 2 addresses groundwater contamination beneath and downgradient from the facility.[2] Monitoring wells continue to detect asbestos and other contaminants in groundwater. The long-term cleanup approach for groundwater may involve institutional controls or active treatment depending on site conditions and ongoing investigation.

Five-Year Review Process

EPA conducts Five-Year Reviews at all Superfund sites to verify that selected remedies are working as designed.[2] The EPA has completed Five-Year Reviews for the Stratford site. The reviews found that remedies continue to protect human health and the environment, though additional work remains at certain operable units.

The cleanup of the Stratford site is governed by federal Superfund law (Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, CERCLA) and Connecticut environmental regulations.[12] The EPA's authority and obligations are formalized through Records of Decision.[14]

Responsible Party Liability

Raymark Industries' bankruptcy in 1989 occurred before the full scope of the contamination was discovered.[14] The Raytech Corporation Asbestos PI Settlement Trust, established in 2001, holds assets dedicated to compensating asbestos victims -- but the trust's liability for environmental remediation of the Superfund site is limited.[15] Therefore, EPA has used federal Superfund provisions to conduct remediation and seek cost recovery from potentially responsible parties where feasible.[12]

The site's remediation is primarily federally funded through appropriations and, more recently, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.[2] This reflects the complexity of asbestos contamination cases: the manufacturing company is bankrupt, the responsible trust is financially limited, and federal taxpayers bear much of the cleanup cost.[14]

How to Access EPA Information and Community Involvement

Residents and property owners in Stratford who may be affected by contamination can access:[13]

  • EPA Site Information: EPA Site ID CTD001186618; detailed reports available at EPA's Superfund site database[12]
  • Town of Stratford Resources: The Town of Stratford maintains a page dedicated to the Raymark Industries Superfund site with historical documents, remediation timelines, and property owner resources[13]
  • Public Meetings: EPA periodically holds public meetings and comment periods as new remedial decisions are made
  • Property Testing: Property owners can request EPA soil sampling to determine contamination levels on their land[2]
  • Community Heritage Resources: The Stratford Historical Society, which preserves the community's diverse history from its Captain David Judson House and Catharine B. Mitchell Museum, maintains archives and resources documenting Stratford's industrial heritage including the Raymark manufacturing era[16]

Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure

Residents of Stratford who developed mesothelioma, asbestosis, lung cancer, or other asbestos-related diseases may be eligible for compensation through:[8]

  • Asbestos trust funds (including the Raytech Corporation Asbestos PI Settlement Trust)[15]
  • Liable property liability insurance claims
  • Asbestos injury lawsuits against non-bankrupt manufacturers[14]
  • VA benefits (if military service involved asbestos exposure)[17]

The distinguishing aspect of Stratford cases is the documented environmental exposure pathway -- families received contaminated fill material, children played in contaminated playgrounds, and disease developed decades later.[2] This environmental causation record strengthens compensation claims.[8]

The Public Health Record as Evidence: If you grew up in Stratford and later developed mesothelioma, the Connecticut Department of Public Health's finding of mesothelioma incidence above the state rate, combined with EPA records documenting where contaminated fill was delivered, supports an environmental causation theory without requiring proof of workplace exposure.[3]

Expert Consultation

Danziger & De Llano has represented dozens of Stratford residents exposed through contaminated fill material and childhood playground exposure.[8] Legal professionals experienced with asbestos environmental contamination cases understand:

  • How to establish causation through EPA records and epidemiological data[14]
  • How Connecticut public health cancer-incidence findings function as evidence[3]
  • Available trust fund claims and compensation sources[15]
  • Property owner liability and remediation rights[8]

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Stratford, Connecticut still contaminated with asbestos?

Yes. Despite over 30 years of EPA Superfund remediation, significant asbestos contamination remains in Stratford as of 2026.[2] While 28 properties have been fully cleaned and more than 100,000 cubic yards of contaminated soil removed, additional residential and commercial properties still require remediation. Active excavation continues, and EPA reviews confirmed that cleanup work is ongoing across multiple operable units.[2]

What did Raymark Industries do with its asbestos waste?

Rather than pay for proper hazardous waste disposal, Raymark Industries distributed its dried, powdered asbestos manufacturing waste as free fill material to residents, contractors, and municipal authorities throughout Stratford.[2] Homeowners used the material for driveways, yard leveling, and landscaping without knowing it contained asbestos. The company never adequately warned recipients about the hazardous nature of the waste.[2]

What did Connecticut health officials find about cancer rates in Stratford?

The Connecticut Department of Public Health reviewed cancer incidence in Stratford for 1958 through 1991 and found that overall cancer incidence was not elevated. Three categories were higher than the Connecticut state rate: bladder cancer, mesothelioma, and cancer in people less than 25 years of age.[3] These are three separate findings. The review reported elevated mesothelioma across all ages, and separately reported elevated cancer of all types among residents under 25. It did not find mesothelioma occurring in people under 25.

How much money has the EPA spent cleaning up the Stratford site?

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law allocated $113 million specifically for Stratford site remediation beginning in 2022, representing the largest single funding commitment in the site's history.[2] The initial BIL commitment was $23 million announced in 2022.[2]

Can Stratford residents get compensation for asbestos exposure?

Yes. Stratford residents who developed mesothelioma, asbestosis, lung cancer, or other asbestos-related diseases from environmental exposure may pursue compensation through several channels, including the Raytech Corporation Asbestos PI Settlement Trust, property liability insurance claims, and lawsuits against non-bankrupt responsible parties. The well-documented environmental exposure pathway in Stratford -- including EPA records of where contaminated fill was delivered and Connecticut public health cancer-incidence findings -- can strengthen compensation claims.[3]

What is Short Beach Park and why is it significant?

Short Beach Park is a recreational park in Stratford that received asbestos-contaminated fill material from Raymark Industries.[2] In 1981, a children's ballfield was built directly on top of this contaminated soil. For years, children played on asbestos-laden ground, unknowingly inhaling fibers that would cause disease decades later. The park is now under active EPA remediation.[2]

How long does it take for mesothelioma to develop after asbestos exposure?

Mesothelioma typically develops 20 to 50 years after initial asbestos exposure, a period known as the latency period.[6][7] This means Stratford residents exposed in the 1950s through 1970s began developing disease in the 1980s through 2020s. Because of this extended latency, new mesothelioma diagnoses linked to Stratford contamination continue to appear decades after the original exposure ended.[6][7]

What should I do if my Stratford property has asbestos-contaminated fill?

If you suspect your Stratford property received contaminated fill material from Raymark Industries, you can request EPA soil sampling to determine contamination levels.[2] The Town of Stratford also maintains resources for affected property owners. Do not attempt to excavate or disturb suspected contaminated soil yourself, as this can release dangerous asbestos fibers into the air.[13] Contact the EPA Region 1 office and consult with an attorney experienced in asbestos contamination cases to understand your remediation options and legal rights.[8]

Quick Statistics

  • 34-acre factory footprint — the Raymark Industries manufacturing site where asbestos brake linings were produced from 1919 to 1989[2]
  • 24 documented mesothelioma cases — workers at four Connecticut chrysotile factories, including the Raybestos-Manhattan plant in Stratford[4][5]
  • $113 million BIL allocation — Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding for Stratford cleanup beginning in 2022[2]
  • 20 to 50 year latency period — the typical delay between asbestos fiber inhalation and mesothelioma diagnosis, explaining why childhood exposure leads to adult disease[6][7]
  • 1981 ballfield construction — the year a children's baseball field was built on asbestos-contaminated fill at Short Beach Park[2]
  • Raytech Corporation Trust — the asbestos personal injury settlement trust established in 2001 from Raymark's successor company, available for victim compensation
  • 100,000+ cubic yards removed — EPA and Army Corps of Engineers excavation progress to date[2]
  • 28 properties cleaned — residential and commercial properties fully remediated[2]

References

  1. ↑ Raybestos-Manhattan and Raymark Industries. Mesothelioma.net.
  2. ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14 2.15 2.16 2.17 2.18 2.19 2.20 2.21 2.22 2.23 2.24 2.25 2.26 2.27 2.28 2.29 2.30 2.31 2.32 2.33 2.34 2.35 2.36 2.37 2.38 2.39 2.40 2.41 2.42 2.43 2.44 2.45 2.46 2.47 2.48 2.49 2.50 2.51 2.52 2.53 2.54 2.55 2.56 2.57 2.58 2.59 2.60 2.61 2.62 2.63 2.64 EPA Announces Progress at Raymark Industries Superfund Site. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, January 2025.
  3. ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 Health Consultation: Raymark Industries Bladder Cancer Study, Stratford, Connecticut. Connecticut Department of Public Health and Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, October 27, 2011. Summarizes the CTDPH 1993 preliminary review of Stratford cancer incidence, 1958-1991.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Meisenkothen C. Underestimation of Chrysotile Health Risk due to Under-ascertainment of Mesothelioma: Evidence from a Century of Connecticut's Experience with the "Magic Mineral". New Solut. 2025;34(4):278-295. PMID 39686704.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Finkelstein MM, Meisenkothen C. Malignant mesothelioma among employees of a Connecticut factory that manufactured friction materials using chrysotile asbestos. Ann Occup Hyg. 2010;54(6):692-6. PMID 20522518.
  6. ↑ 6.00 6.01 6.02 6.03 6.04 6.05 6.06 6.07 6.08 6.09 Frost G. The latency period of mesothelioma among a cohort of British asbestos workers (1978-2005). Br J Cancer. 2013;109(7):1965-1973. PMID 23989951. PubMed
  7. ↑ 7.00 7.01 7.02 7.03 7.04 7.05 7.06 7.07 7.08 7.09 Santos C, Dixe MDA, Sacadura-Leite E, Astoul P, Sousa-Uva A. Asbestos Exposure and Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma: A Systematic Review of Literature. Port J Public Health. 2023;40(3):188-202. PMID 39469260. PubMed
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 8.6 Danziger & De Llano, Attorneys at Law. Legal representation for asbestos exposure cases.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Malignant Mesothelioma Treatment. National Cancer Institute.
  10. ↑ The influence of occupational and environmental asbestos exposure on the incidence of malignant mesothelioma in Connecticut. PMID 7228320.
  11. ↑ Finkelstein MM, Meisenkothen C. Malignant Mesothelioma Among Employees of a Connecticut Factory That Manufactured Friction Materials Using Chrysotile Asbestos: An Update. Ann Work Expo Health. 2020;64(1):106-109. PMID 31713586.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 12.5 EPA Second Five-Year Review Report for Raymark Industries Superfund Site. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2005.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 Town of Stratford Raymark Superfund Site Page. Town of Stratford, Connecticut.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 14.4 Mesothelioma Lawyer Center. Educational resources on asbestos contamination and mesothelioma compensation.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 MesotheliomaAttorney.com. Legal resources for asbestos-related disease claims.
  16. ↑ Stratford Historical Society. Community heritage organization preserving Stratford's history, located at 967 Academy Hill, Stratford, CT.
  17. ↑ Mesothelioma Information and Patient Resources. Mesothelioma.net.

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