Manville, New Jersey: From Coal Mining to Asbestos

Although I have discussed this issue in the past, I don’t recall grounding it from an historical document. In summary, many of the immigrants from Ellis Island originally worked in the coal mines. They later migrated to work in the Manville asbestos factory to escape those coal mines. As stated by Edward J. Purzycki in the Introduction to the 1987 book published by the Manville Public Library titled Ellis Island, the Coal Mines, to the Asbestos Capital of the World:

“The history of Manville has been greatly influenced by two pieces of rock: coal from Pennsylvania and asbestos from Canada. Coal provided heat while asbestos protected against it.

It is ironic that the two rocks have shaped the lives and destinies of Manville residents. To escape the hard life of burrowing like a mole in a three foot high vein of coal in Pennsylvania, the Ellis Islanders from Europe came to Manville to work above ground. Subsequently, they became the victims of dust inhalation that had national and world-wide repercussions.”

On a personal level, I find it unfortunate at how we in the United States continue to treat immigrants as if their lives, and their families’ lives, are disposable. After 100 years plus since the influx of immigrants to Manville, you would think that we could do better. Whether dust in the lungs as the price to work, or separating children from their parents at the boarder, we can do a lot better. Just my 2 cents.

Let me know what you think in the comments or an email to me at TheAsbestosBlog@gmail.com. Thanks. Marty