Prudential Center Boston's Prudential Center complex, including the 52-story Prudential Tower, was constructed in the early 1960s using asbestos-containing fireproofing, insulation, and building materials. Workers involved in the construction, maintenance, and ongoing renovation of this major urban complex were exposed to asbestos throughout the building's history.
Last verified: 2026-03-09The Prudential Center was built between 1960 and 1965 as a major urban renewal project in Boston's Back Bay neighborhood. The Prudential Tower was the tallest building in New England at the time of its completion. Asbestos spray-on fireproofing and insulation were used extensively in the tower and surrounding commercial structures. Major renovation and modernization projects in the 1990s and 2000s required extensive asbestos abatement.
Spray-on asbestos fireproofing was applied to structural steel throughout the Prudential Tower and adjacent buildings. Pipe insulation, floor tiles, and ceiling materials also contained asbestos. Maintenance workers, building engineers, and renovation contractors encountered these materials during routine work in mechanical rooms, elevator shafts, and above-ceiling utility spaces.
The following job categories at Prudential Center had the highest risk of asbestos exposure:
Construction workers who built the Prudential Center and maintenance workers who operated and repaired building systems have faced elevated risks of mesothelioma and asbestos-related lung disease. The enclosed mechanical spaces in the high-rise tower concentrated asbestos fibers during maintenance and renovation work. Workers employed before asbestos abatement programs were implemented faced the highest exposure levels.
Health information is based on established medical research on asbestos exposure. Asbestos is classified as a known human carcinogen by the National Cancer Institute, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Consult a physician for medical advice specific to your situation.
Workers exposed to asbestos at Prudential Center may be entitled to compensation through asbestos trust funds, personal injury lawsuits, or veterans benefits. Mesothelioma patients and their families have recovered billions in compensation from companies that manufactured or used asbestos products.
Find Out If You QualifyWorkers who were employed at Prudential Center between 1960–1965 may have been exposed to asbestos-containing materials. If you've been diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer, or asbestosis, you may have legal options including trust fund claims and lawsuits.
If you were exposed to asbestos at Prudential Center and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, these specialized treatment centers in Massachusetts may be able to help.
Asbestos-containing materials were installed during the original construction from 1960 to 1965 and remained in place for decades. Spray-on fireproofing, pipe insulation, and floor and ceiling tiles all contained asbestos typical of 1960s commercial construction.
Significant asbestos abatement has been conducted during major renovation projects, particularly during modernization work in the 1990s and 2000s. Building management follows Massachusetts asbestos management regulations for any remaining materials.
Construction workers, building maintenance engineers, electricians, plumbers, HVAC technicians, and renovation contractors who worked in the complex from the 1960s onward were at risk for asbestos exposure, particularly those working in mechanical and utility spaces.
If you or a loved one worked at Prudential Center and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer, or asbestosis, our attorneys can help you explore your legal options. There is no cost, no pressure, and no obligation.
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