Individuals who served in the Navy, Coast Guard, Merchant Marine, and U.S. Army Transport Service spent numerous hours aboard ships where they may have been exposed to asbestos. Ships that were constructed or repaired from the early twentieth century through the 1970s were likely to contain asbestos. While asbestos was used in a variety of applications, it was most widely used in insulation materials around pipes, pumps, and boilers. Those individuals involved in the construction or repair of these ships may be at risk for developing mesothelioma as a direct result of asbestos exposure.
View more information about aircraft carriers and the asbestos containing materials that put individuals who served on them at risk for asbestos exposure.
Amphibious warships are designed to land ground force cargo and support U.S. Marines on land. Learn more about the role of these oceangoing vessels in supporting the U.S. Navy and Marines as well as the asbestos risks faced by those who served on board them.
Navy battleships were constructed with asbestos containing products to protect certain areas from extreme heat and fire. Navy veterans who served on these warships may have been exposed to dangerous levels of asbestos and could be at risk for developing mesothelioma cancer.
United States Navy Cruisers, like other naval vessels, were constructed and repaired with asbestos containing products. Sailors aboard cruisers were at great risk of being exposed to asbestos, especially those serving in the engine and boiler rooms.
Navy destroyers, like many ships that comprised the U.S. Navy fleet were built and repaired using asbestos in boilers, pumps and other equipment. Learn more about asbestos exposure on Navy destroyers and links to mesothelioma.
Destroyer Escorts supported the Merchant Marines during World War II. High heat areas on these ships were constructed with asbestos containing products to provide protection against extreme heat and fire.
There were 122 escort carriers built during WWII. Prior to the late '70's, asbestos was commonly used as an insulation material for protection from extreme fire and heat. Sailors that served aboard or maintained escort carriers could now be at risk for developing mesothelioma.
Frigates, like many other warships, were built at one point in time with asbestos containing materials. This put those serving on board, as well as the individuals responsible for repair and maintenance of these vessels, at risk for developing mesothelioma.
Merchant Mariners serving on Merchant Marine ships may be at risk for developing asbestos related diseases like mesothelioma cancer due to asbestos exposure that they experienced while serving onboard or while working to build or repair the ships.
Minesweepers were responsible for clearing an open area of water of mines so that larger naval warships could pass through safely. Due to the asbestos containing products used aboard many of these vessels, minesweeper veterans are at risk for developing mesothelioma.
Those who worked or sailed on submarines spent much of their time in confined areas with poor ventilation systems. As a result, they were frequently exposed to high levels of harmful asbestos. Today, many of those individuals have developed mesothelioma.