Depending on his age, that's quite likely. There was a factory in Old Town (which is an area of Hebden Bridge) which made gas masks or something. After the war it continued to make asbestos products. It was only actually closed in the 70s.
The impact on health was huge: there are still claims being argued over I believe.
Here's a piece the Courier did on it a while back:
http://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/news...cret.685119.jp