New Jersey Shipyards & Asbestos Exposure

3 shipyards in New Jersey exposed workers to asbestos during the peak years of American shipbuilding. Many former workers are now at risk for mesothelioma.

3 Total shipyards

2 Cities

Private Shipyards

Commercial shipyards in New Jersey built and repaired vessels for private industry, with workers facing similar asbestos exposure as naval facilities.

John H. Mathis & Company

Camden, New Jersey

New York Shipbuilding Corporation

Camden, New Jersey

Closed

Federal Shipbuilding & Drydock

Newark, New Jersey

Closed

Asbestos Exposure at New Jersey Shipyards

Workers at New Jersey shipyards encountered asbestos in numerous applications throughout vessel construction and repair:

Pipe insulation — Steam and water pipes wrapped in asbestos lagging
Boiler and engine rooms — Heavy insulation in machinery spaces
Fireproofing — Asbestos sheets and spray applications on bulkheads
Gaskets and packing — Valve components containing asbestos
Electrical insulation — Wiring and panels with asbestos materials

At-Risk Occupations

Multiple trades worked at these shipyards and faced asbestos exposure. If you held any of these positions, you may have been exposed:

Pipefitters Boilermakers Insulators Shipyard Workers Welders Electricians