South Carolina Shipyards & Asbestos Exposure

2 shipyards in South Carolina exposed workers to asbestos during the peak years of American shipbuilding. Many former workers are now at risk for mesothelioma.

2 Total shipyards

1 Naval shipyards

1 Cities

Naval Shipyards

Government-operated naval shipyards in South Carolina employed military personnel and civilian workers who faced intense asbestos exposure. Veterans may qualify for VA benefits.

Charleston Naval Shipyard

Charleston, South Carolina

Naval

Private Shipyards

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

Detyens Shipyards

Charleston, South Carolina

Asbestos Exposure at South Carolina Shipyards

Workers at South Carolina 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