Overview
Shipyard workers — including all trades involved in building, repairing, and maintaining ships — faced some of the highest asbestos exposure levels in American industry. Ships were constructed with hundreds of different asbestos-containing products, and shipyard workers encountered these materials daily.
During World War II, American shipyards employed over 4.5 million workers building the wartime fleet. These workers, many now in their 80s and 90s, are still being diagnosed with mesothelioma from exposures 60–80 years ago.
Asbestos Throughout Ships
| Ship Area | Asbestos Products | Exposure Level |
|---|---|---|
| Engine rooms | Pipe insulation, boiler lagging, gaskets | Extreme |
| Boiler rooms | Thermal insulation, refractory | Extreme |
| Bulkheads | Fire barriers, spray insulation | Very High |
| Crew quarters | Wall panels, deck tiles, ceiling tiles | High |
| Electrical | Wire insulation, panel boards | Moderate |
Shipyard Trades at Risk
Why Shipyard Exposure Was So Severe
Confined Spaces
Ship construction and repair occurred in enclosed spaces — holds, engine rooms, and compartments — where asbestos fibers accumulated to dangerous levels. Workers breathed contaminated air for entire shifts.
Multiple Trades Working Together
Shipyards concentrated dozens of trades in small areas. When insulators applied spray insulation, nearby pipefitters, welders, and other workers were exposed.
No Protection
Until the 1970s, shipyard workers received no respiratory protection or warnings about asbestos dangers, despite manufacturers’ knowledge of the risks.
Even workers who never directly handled asbestos products received significant exposure just from working in shipyard environments where asbestos was constantly being installed, removed, and disturbed.
Major U.S. Shipyards
Workers at these historic shipyards faced intensive asbestos exposure:
- Bath Iron Works — Bath, Maine
- Newport News Shipbuilding — Virginia
- Ingalls Shipbuilding — Pascagoula, Mississippi
- Mare Island Naval Shipyard — California
- Brooklyn Navy Yard — New York
- Philadelphia Naval Shipyard — Pennsylvania
- Norfolk Naval Shipyard — Virginia
- Hunters Point Naval Shipyard — San Francisco
Related Industries
Health Consequences
Shipyard workers have elevated rates of:
- Mesothelioma — Cancer of the chest or abdominal lining
- Asbestosis — Progressive lung scarring
- Lung cancer — Risk multiplied by asbestos exposure
- Pleural disease — Thickening and plaques on lung lining
Legal Options
Shipyard workers diagnosed with mesothelioma may pursue:
Asbestos Trust Funds
Major manufacturers whose products were used in ships:
- Johns-Manville Trust
- Owens Corning Trust
- W.R. Grace Trust
- Pittsburgh Corning Trust
Maritime-Specific Claims
- Jones Act claims — For maritime workers
- LHWCA claims — Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation
- Premises liability — Against shipyard owners
Additional Options
- Product liability lawsuits — Against equipment manufacturers
- VA benefits — For veterans and civilian Navy Yard workers
- Workers’ compensation — Through employer coverage
Because shipyard workers often used products from dozens of manufacturers, an experienced attorney can help identify all responsible parties and potential sources of compensation.