Asbestos Exposure on Naval Warships
Naval warships have played a critical role in U.S. military history, serving as powerful tools of defense, offense, and global presence. These vessels, often described as floating cities, were designed to endure the harshest conditions at sea while ensuring the safety and efficiency of their crews. To achieve this, the U.S. Navy relied heavily on advanced materials and technologies of the time, including asbestos.
Asbestos Use on Warships
Asbestos was extensively used on naval warships throughout much of the 20th century, primarily for its fireproofing and insulating properties. The material was seen as essential for protecting against the constant threat of fire, a significant hazard aboard ships where high-pressure boilers, steam pipes, and flammable materials were commonplace. Asbestos was used in a variety of applications, including pipe insulation, boiler coverings, wallboards, and even protective clothing for crew members handling fire emergencies.
While asbestos provided critical fire protection and insulation, it came with a hidden cost. Thousands of sailors and shipyard workers who built, maintained, and served on these ships were unknowingly exposed to asbestos fibers. Over time, this exposure has been linked to severe health risks, including mesothelioma, asbestosis, and other asbestos-related diseases. The very material that safeguarded ships from fire hazards ultimately endangered the lives of those who worked with or around it, leaving a lasting legacy of health challenges for many veterans and shipyard workers.
This dual legacy of asbestos on naval warships—its role in fire safety and its devastating health consequences—underscores the importance of understanding its history and impact.
Why Warships Had Heavy Asbestos Use
Fireproofing and Insulation Needs: Naval warships were uniquely vulnerable to fire hazards due to their design and operational demands. The combination of high-powered engines, munitions storage, and the ever-present risk of combat damage created a constant need for effective fireproofing and insulation. Asbestos, with its natural resistance to heat and fire, became the material of choice for addressing these challenges.
Asbestos was used extensively in critical areas of warships to minimize fire risks and protect both the vessel and its crew:
Boiler & Engine Room Insulation: The high-heat machinery in boiler and engine rooms required robust insulation to prevent overheating and ensure operational efficiency. Asbestos was used to line boilers, steam pipes, and other heat-generating equipment.
Weapons Storage Areas: Munitions and explosives were stored in specially insulated compartments to prevent accidental ignition. Asbestos was a key material in these areas, providing a fire-resistant barrier.
Electrical Wiring & Panels: Asbestos was non-conductive and heat-resistant, making it ideal for insulating electrical wiring and panels, which were critical to the ship’s operations.
Piping Systems: Asbestos-lined pipes were used throughout the ship to prevent overheating and maintain safe temperatures for steam, water, and other systems.
Combat Damage & Emergency Repairs
The dangers of asbestos exposure were magnified during combat and emergency situations. Battle damage often disturbed asbestos insulation, releasing hazardous fibers into the air. Emergency repairs, such as welding and patchwork, frequently involved cutting through or handling asbestos-containing materials, further increasing exposure risks for sailors and repair crews.
Fires on warships also posed a significant threat, not only because of the immediate danger but also due to the release of asbestos dust. For example, the catastrophic fire aboard the USS Forrestal in 1967 caused extensive damage and released large amounts of asbestos fibers into the air, exposing countless sailors to the toxic material. These incidents highlight the dual-edged nature of asbestos use on warships—it provided critical fire protection but also created long-term health risks for those who served aboard.
Warship Types & Where Asbestos Was Used
Asbestos was a critical material used across all types of naval warships, tailored to meet the specific needs of each vessel. However, its widespread use created significant health risks for the sailors and workers who built, maintained, and served aboard these ships.
Aircraft Carriers: Aircraft carriers, the largest and most complex warships, relied heavily on asbestos for fireproofing and insulation:
Flight Decks, Hulls, and Aviation Fuel Storage Areas: Large amounts of asbestos were used to insulate these critical areas, protecting against the high heat generated by aircraft operations and the risk of fuel fires.
Enclosed Spaces: Crew members working in confined areas were exposed to asbestos dust during routine maintenance, as insulation materials were disturbed.
Combat Damage Repairs: After sustaining damage in battle, repair crews faced high exposure risks as they worked to replace or patch asbestos-containing materials.
Battleships & Cruisers: These heavily armed and armored ships required thick asbestos insulation to protect vital systems:
Ammunition Storage: Asbestos was used to insulate and fireproof areas where large quantities of munitions were stored, reducing the risk of catastrophic explosions.
Propulsion Systems: Boilers, turbines, and other propulsion equipment were insulated with asbestos to handle extreme heat.
Below-Deck Crews: Engineers, boilermen, and mechanics working in engine rooms and other below-deck areas were frequently exposed to asbestos dust, often in poorly ventilated spaces.
Destroyers & Frigates: These smaller, faster ships required lightweight materials but still relied on asbestos for critical insulation:
Boilers, Pumps, and Ventilation Systems: Asbestos was used to insulate these systems, which were essential for the ship’s operation.
Cramped Quarters: Crews working in tight, poorly ventilated spaces faced significant exposure risks, as asbestos fibers could easily accumulate in the air.
Submarines: Submarines presented some of the highest asbestos exposure risks due to their enclosed environments:
Insulation and Fireproofing: Nearly every part of a submarine, from piping to electrical systems, was insulated with asbestos to ensure safety and efficiency in the confined space.
Diesel-Electric Submarines: These vessels had particularly heavy asbestos use in engine rooms, where high heat and limited ventilation made insulation essential.
Veteran Health Risks: Many submarine veterans developed mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases decades later, as prolonged exposure in such tight quarters left them highly vulnerable.
Amphibious Warships & Minesweepers: Designed for land invasions and specialized missions, these ships also relied on asbestos for fire resistance:
Fireproofing Materials: Asbestos was used to protect against fires during troop transport and combat operations.
Combat Damage: Enemy attacks often disturbed asbestos insulation, releasing fibers into the air and exposing crews.
Repair Work: Crews conducting repairs or maintenance on these ships were frequently exposed to asbestos dust, especially in damaged areas.
Across all warship types, asbestos was seen as a necessary material for safety and efficiency. However, the long-term health consequences for those who served aboard these vessels have been devastating, with many veterans suffering from asbestos-related illnesses years after their service.
Jobs with the Highest Asbestos Exposure on Warships
Certain roles aboard warships and in shipyards carried significantly higher risks of asbestos exposure due to the nature of their work. These jobs often involved direct contact with asbestos-containing materials, leading to frequent and prolonged exposure to dangerous fibers. Below are detailed descriptions of the roles most affected:
Boilermen & Machinist’s Mates
Primary Duties: These crew members worked directly with high-heat steam boilers, which were heavily insulated with asbestos to prevent heat loss and fire hazards.
Exposure Risks: Maintenance tasks, such as repairing or replacing boiler components, often disturbed asbestos insulation, releasing fibers into the air. The confined spaces of boiler rooms compounded the risk, as fibers lingered in the poorly ventilated environment.
*Electrician’s Mates**
Primary Duties: Electrician’s Mates were responsible for maintaining and repairing electrical systems, including wiring and panels.
Exposure Risks: Asbestos was commonly used to insulate electrical wiring and panels to prevent fires. Replacing or repairing these components frequently exposed workers to asbestos dust, especially in tight spaces where ventilation was limited.
Welders & Shipfitters
Primary Duties: These workers were often tasked with repairing combat damage, structural wear, or installing new components on warships.
Exposure Risks: Welding on asbestos-covered pipes, bulkheads, or other structures released asbestos fibers into the air. The heat from welding could also degrade asbestos materials, making the fibers more likely to become airborne.
Damage Controlmen & Firefighters
Primary Duties: These emergency response teams were responsible for putting out fires, repairing damage, and ensuring the ship’s safety during crises.
Exposure Risks: They frequently handled asbestos-coated fireproofing materials, such as blankets, panels, and insulation, during emergency repairs. Fires and explosions often disturbed asbestos-containing materials, creating hazardous conditions for these workers.
Shipyard Workers & Dry Dock Crews
Primary Duties: These workers performed extensive maintenance, overhauls, and repairs on warships while they were docked.
Exposure Risks: Shipyard workers faced some of the highest asbestos exposure rates due to tasks like scraping, cutting, and replacing asbestos insulation. Overhauls often involved removing old, deteriorated asbestos materials, which released large amounts of fibers into the air. Workers in dry docks, where ventilation was poor, were particularly vulnerable.
Each of these roles played a vital part in the operation and maintenance of warships, but the reliance on asbestos for insulation and fireproofing put these workers at significant risk. Many veterans and shipyard workers from these roles have since developed asbestos-related illnesses, highlighting the long-term consequences of their exposure.
Health Risks for Warship Veterans
Warship veterans who worked in environments laden with asbestos often faced significant health risks later in life. Asbestos exposure, especially in the confined spaces of warships, led to the development of several serious illnesses. These diseases often take decades to appear, leaving many veterans unaware of the dangers they faced until long after their service. Below are the primary health risks associated with asbestos exposure:
Mesothelioma: Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive cancer that develops in the thin lining surrounding the lungs (pleura), abdomen (peritoneum), or heart (pericardium). It is the most severe asbestos-related disease, caused almost exclusively by asbestos exposure. Inhaled or ingested asbestos fibers become lodged in the body’s tissues, leading to chronic inflammation and scarring, which can trigger cancer decades later. Warship veterans, particularly those in high-risk roles, are disproportionately affected due to prolonged exposure to asbestos in confined, poorly ventilated spaces aboard ships.
Asbestosis: Asbestosis is a chronic lung disease caused by the inhalation of asbestos fibers, leading to scarring (fibrosis) in the lungs. This damage reduces lung elasticity, making it progressively harder to breathe. Symptoms include shortness of breath, persistent dry cough, chest pain, and fatigue. While asbestosis is not cancer, it significantly impairs quality of life and increases the risk of developing lung cancer. Many warship veterans developed asbestosis after years of exposure to airborne asbestos dust, particularly in engine rooms, boiler rooms, and maintenance areas where asbestos insulation was commonly used.
Lung Cancer: Lung cancer is a malignant tumor that develops in the tissues of the lungs and is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths. Asbestos exposure is a known cause of lung cancer, and the risk is dramatically increased for veterans who smoked during or after their service. Smoking and asbestos exposure create a synergistic effect, meaning that when combined, the risk of lung cancer is far greater than from either factor alone. Many warship veterans who worked in asbestos-heavy environments—such as shipyards, boiler rooms, and engine compartments—faced a significantly increased likelihood of developing lung cancer, especially if they were also smokers.
Stomach, Colon, and Throat Cancer: Cancers of the stomach, colon, and throat affect the digestive and respiratory systems, with asbestos exposure being a known risk factor for these diseases. Ingested asbestos fibers, often swallowed after being inhaled, can become lodged in the digestive tract, leading to chronic inflammation, scarring, and eventually cancer. Similarly, inhaled fibers can irritate the throat, causing cellular damage that may lead to cancer over time. Warship veterans were frequently exposed to airborne asbestos fibers in ship compartments, work areas, and during maintenance activities, increasing their risk of developing cancers in the stomach, colon, or throat years after service.
Learn more about the diseases asbestos can cause.
The Long-Term Impact of Naval Asbestos Exposure
The health risks for warship veterans are profound and often life-altering. The latency period for asbestos-related diseases can range from 10 to 50 years, meaning many veterans only begin to experience symptoms decades after their service. Unfortunately, by the time these illnesses are diagnosed, they are often advanced and difficult to treat.
Veterans who served in roles with high asbestos exposure, such as boilermen, machinist’s mates, and shipyard workers, are particularly vulnerable. Understanding these risks is crucial for early detection and treatment, as well as for raising awareness about the dangers of asbestos exposure in military service.
Legal Options for Warship Veterans
Warship veterans who were exposed to asbestos during their service and later developed asbestos-related illnesses, such as mesothelioma, asbestosis, or other cancers, have several legal options to seek compensation and support. These options include filing for VA benefits, pursuing claims through asbestos trust funds, and filing lawsuits against asbestos manufacturers. Below is an overview of these legal avenues:
VA Benefits for Asbestos-Exposed Veterans: The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides benefits to veterans who were exposed to asbestos during their military service and developed related illnesses.
Disability Claims: Veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, or other asbestos-related diseases can file disability claims with the VA. These claims provide monthly compensation based on the severity of the illness and its impact on the veteran’s ability to work. The VA acknowledges that asbestos exposure on warships, particularly in roles such as machinist’s mates, pipefitters, and boiler technicians, is a qualifying condition for benefits.
Asbestos Trust Fund Claims: Many companies that manufactured or supplied asbestos products for warships filed for bankruptcy due to the overwhelming number of lawsuits. As part of their bankruptcy agreements, these companies established asbestos trust funds to compensate victims.
Lawsuits Against Asbestos Manufacturers: Veterans also have the option to file personal injury lawsuits against the companies that supplied asbestos products to the Navy. These lawsuits target the manufacturers and suppliers of asbestos-containing materials, not the government or the Navy itself.
Warship veterans who were exposed to asbestos have multiple legal options to seek justice and compensation for their illnesses. Whether through VA benefits, asbestos trust fund claims, or lawsuits against manufacturers, these avenues can help veterans and their families cope with the financial and emotional burdens of asbestos-related diseases. Contact us today at 833-4-ASBESTOS to get a free consultation and case evaluation today.