Maritime Industry & Asbestos Exposure

Longshoremen and merchant mariners worked in ship holds filled with asbestos dust. Cargo handling, engine room repairs. The exposure was constant.

200,000+ workers affected Peak exposure: 1940-1980

Asbestos Exposure Sources

Workers in the maritime industry encountered asbestos through:

  • Cargo containing asbestos
  • Ship engine rooms
  • Boiler rooms
  • Pipe insulation

Common Asbestos Products

Products commonly used in this industry that contained asbestos:

Asbestos cargoShip insulation materials

Affected Occupations

Workers in these job roles within the maritime industry faced the highest exposure:

Longshoremen Merchant marines

Health Risks

Workers exposed to asbestos in the maritime industry are at increased risk for:

  • Mesothelioma: Aggressive cancer of the lung, abdominal, or heart lining
  • Lung cancer: Risk increases significantly, especially with smoking
  • Asbestosis: Progressive scarring of lung tissue
  • Pleural disease: Thickening or calcification of the lung lining

Symptoms typically appear 20 to 50 years after initial exposure, meaning workers from the peak exposure era are being diagnosed today.

Legal Options for Maritime Workers

Workers in the maritime industry have filed mesothelioma lawsuits and compensation claims against asbestos product manufacturers. Trust fund claims and settlements have provided financial support to thousands of affected workers and families.

Compensation options include:

  • Asbestos trust funds: Many manufacturers established trusts to compensate victims
  • Personal injury lawsuits: Claims against responsible companies
  • Workers' compensation: Available in some states for occupational exposure
  • VA benefits: For veterans with military-related exposure