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Mesothelioma Veteran's Resources

History, Ships, & Shipyards

Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos exposure is the only known cause of the deadly cancer known as mesothelioma. Asbestos-related lung diseases, including mesothelioma, cannot be detected shortly after exposure. In fact, a diagnosis of mesothelioma appears many decades after the initial asbestos exposure. U.S. veterans who served in the military were exposed to the deadly fibers of asbestos in their daily routines and may develop mesothelioma decades after being exposed to asbestos.

There are many examples of asbestos exposure in military settings stretching from World War II until about the mid-1970s. Those serving in the Navy had significant asbestos exposure. Between 1930 and 1980, the Navy used large amounts of asbestos-containing products in ships, submarines, aircraft carriers and shipyards to take advantage of the excellent heat and fire-resistant properties it contained. The flame-retardant properties of asbestos made it an outstanding insulation for isolating compartments aboard a ship. At one time, the use of asbestos was mandated by the Navy, applying the carcinogen in at least 300 substances for construction and maintenance aboard warships, submarines and service at shipyards.

Asbestos Was Everywhere
For many years, Naval workers were also exposed to deadly asbestos particles during their jobs in the construction, maintenance, demolition and renovation of warships and buildings, and most of the time at elevated levels. Navy personnel stationed aboard these asbestos-laden ships were frequently showered in asbestos dust. Asbestos became deadly when it was disturbed. Dry asbestos is brittle and tiny asbestos fibers are released into the air when they are broken. These particles can be inhaled easily and adhere to the internal lining of the lungs, abdomen, and heart. These fibers, which lie dormant for decades, cause deadly diseases like mesothelioma.

Asbestos Taken Home
Living in close quarters aboard ships and working in shipyards unavoidably caused asbestos products to be struck and asbestos particles to be disturbed - thus this led to the inhalation of the carcinogenic particles. Sadly, particles attached to clothing were regularly carried home and eventually even the family and friends of Navy personnel were exposed to the lethal material.

Asbestos-Containing Products
Naval records for asbestos-containing substances used in shipyards, ship repairs, and ship construction still exist and are used in studying asbestosis, mesothelioma and asbestos cases. Naval shipyard records, ship databases, ships history records, and war diaries are also used to identify specific products used. Many asbestos-containing products are used to identify Navy veteran's asbestos claims.

Asbestos Shipyards
Navy shipyards involved with veterans asbestos claims include;

· Brooklyn Navy Yard (aka New York Navy Shipyard), Brooklyn, New York

· Charlestown Navy Yard (aka Boston Navy Yard), Boston, Massachusetts

· Long Beach Naval Shipyard, Long Beach, California

· Mare Island Naval Shipyard (aka Mare Island Naval Station), California

· New London Shipyard (aka New London Naval Submarine Base), Groton, Connecticut

· Norfolk Naval Shipyard (aka Gosport Shipyard), Portsmouth, Virginia

· Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii

· Philadelphia Naval Shipyard (aka Philadelphia Naval Base), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

· Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth, Maine

· Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth, New Hampshire

· Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, Washington

· San Francisco Naval Shipyard, San Francisco, California

· Washington Navy Yard, Washington, D.C.