From the 1920s until the mid-1970s, thousands U.S. naval ships were outfitted with parts or materials containing asbestos. As a result, millions of veterans of the U.S. Navy and merchant marines who served on these ships were exposed to asbestos, placing them at risk of a number of serious and potentially deadly diseases.
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was once widely used for insulation or fireproofing. For decades, asbestos materials were used in a number of parts aboard U.S. naval vessels, including pipe coverings, gaskets, deck coverings, brakes, clutches and other engine room components. At least 298 asbestos-containing products were used onboard U.S. Navy ships.
When the asbestos fibers contained in these products were damaged, they could become airborne. Inhaling or otherwise ingesting asbestos fibers placed millions of naval veterans at risk of mesothelioma — a deadly form of cancer that affects the lining of the lungs, heart or abdomen — as well as lung cancer, asbestosis, or other forms of cancer.
Navy veterans and naval shipyard workers who may have been exposed to asbestos and have developed symptoms of mesothelioma, asbestosis, or other asbestos-related diseases may qualify for a free asbestos health exam to find out if they are sick. To find out if you qualify for free asbestos testing, contact the lawyers at Hissey, Mulderig & Friend by calling toll-free at 1-855-500-3734 or by filling out our free case evaluation form on the left side of this page.
Navy Ships With Asbestos
Although the U.S. government knew about the dangers of asbestos exposure as early as 1922, the Navy continued building ships with asbestos-containing materials as late as the 1970s. And while the government issued asbestos safety standards in 1943 to protect those who built or repaired naval vessels, it failed to start enforcing these regulations until decades later, jeopardizing the health of millions of naval veterans.
Shipyard workers who helped build one of the thousands of ships used during World War II were almost as likely to die from mesothelioma as they were to die in combat. While approximately 18 out of every 1,000 U.S. naval servicemen during WWII died in combat, as many as 14 out of every 1,000 shipyard workers during the Second World War died from mesothelioma. Thousands more may have died from lung cancer, asbestosis or other cancers as a result of asbestos exposure during their years in the Navy.
Some of the naval and Merchant Marines ships where asbestos parts or materials could be found include:
Aircraft Carriers
Many aircraft carriers that were deployed by the U.S. Navy during World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and other conflicts contained asbestos parts or insulation. Naval veterans who served onboard aircraft carriers that were built or outfitted with asbestos materials may face an increased risk of developing mesothelioma, asbestosis, or other diseases linked to asbestos exposure. Read more…
Amphibious Ships
Amphibious ships that were built by the U.S. Navy to deliver large tanks and other heavy equipment into combat were often constructed using asbestos parts and materials. Veterans who served onboard these ships after World War II may have been exposed to asbestos used in parts or insulation onboard these vessels, putting them at risk of developing asbestos-related diseases decades after they left the service. Read more…
Auxiliary Ships
The U.S. Navy fleet contained numerous auxiliary ships that were designed to provide repair and support, or transport fuel, ammunition, food, supplies, troops, or other cargo. Many older auxiliary ships were built with asbestos parts and materials, putting naval veterans who served onboard these vessels at risk of developing mesothelioma or other diseases linked to asbestos exposure. Read more…
Battleships
Thousands of naval veterans who served on battleships that were used in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, or other conflicts may have been exposed to asbestos from asbestos parts and materials that were used to construct these vessels. Veterans who were exposed to asbestos onboard battleships may be at risk of developing diseases such as mesothelioma and asbestosis. Read more…
Coast Guard Cutters
Coast Guard cutters have been deployed by the U.S. military to patrol the waters around America’s shores, and have also seen combat in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and other military conflicts. Veterans who served on Coast Guard cutters that were contaminated with asbestos may be at risk of developing serious illnesses decades after they left the armed forces. Read more…
Cruisers
Cruisers are one of the largest warships used by the U.S. Navy. During World War II, naval cruisers saw extensive action in the Atlantic and Pacific. After the war, many cruisers were converted into guided missile ships or used for land bombardments during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. The U.S. Navy is one of only three navies in the world that continues to use cruisers. Read more…
Destroyers
Although the U.S. Navy stopped using asbestos in its ships after the 1980s, many veterans who served onboard destroyers that were built before that year were exposed to asbestos found in the sleeping quarters, engine and boiler rooms, or other areas of these ships. Find out more about destroyers that may have been contaminated with asbestos, putting veterans onboard these ships at risk of developing mesothelioma or other illnesses. Read more…
Destroyer Escorts
During World War II, the Navy built dozens of destroyer escorts to protect shipping convoys and merchant marine vessels from submarines and air attack. Because they were built before the risks of asbestos were widely known, veterans who served on destroyer escorts may be at risk of mesothelioma, asbestosis, or other diseases from asbestos materials that were onboard. Read more…
Dock Landing Ships
Dock landing ships equipped were designed to transport and launch landing craft or other amphibious vehicles in combat. Many older dock landing ships used in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and other conflicts were built using asbestos parts and materials that could put veterans who served onboard these ships at risk of developing mesothelioma or other asbestos diseases. Read more…
Escort Carriers
Escort carriers built during World War II were designed to protect ship convoys from enemy submarines and aircraft. Some of these ships also saw action in Korea and Vietnam. Because many escort carriers were built with asbestos parts and materials, veterans who served onboard these ships may be at risk of developing mesothelioma cancer or other asbestos diseases. Read more…
Frigates
Most modern-day frigates used by the U.S. Navy were built in the decades following World War II, before the risks of asbestos exposure were widely known. Because of the widespread use of asbestos materials onboard these ships, naval veterans who served onboard frigates may be at risk of developing asbestos-related diseases decades after they left the Navy. Read more…
Minesweepers
Minesweepers were used by the U.S. Navy from World War II until the Persian Gulf War to clear shipping lanes for merchant vessels and to create a path through minefields for larger craft and landing vessels. Veterans who served onboard minesweepers contaminated with asbestos may be at risk of developing mesothelioma or other asbestos diseases. Read more…
Naval Shipyards
Many shipyards used by the U.S. Navy to build aircraft carriers, battleships, destroyers, and other naval vessels contained large amounts of asbestos materials that were used to build these ships. Veterans who were involved in the construction of older ships at these shipyards may be at risk of developing mesothelioma or other diseases caused by asbestos exposure. Read more…
Submarines
Older submarines that were built before the U.S. Navy stopped using asbestos to build ships during the late 20th century contained many asbestos parts or other materials. Submariners who served onboard these older submarines may have been exposed to dangerous levels of asbestos that could put them at risk of developing mesothelioma, asbestosis, or other diseases decades after they retired from active duty. Read more…
Find Out More About Free Asbestos Testing
If you or a loved one worked on U.S. Navy, Merchant Marines, or Coast Guard ships with asbestos and have developed symptoms that may be a sign of mesothelioma, asbestosis, or other asbestos-related diseases, you may be eligible to receive a free asbestos health examination courtesy of our law firm.
For more information about receiving a free asbestos test, contact the lawyers at Hissey Mulderig & Friend by calling our office toll-free at 1-855-500-3734.
You can also contact us by sending a message with our free contact form, located on the upper left side of this page for desktop users.
After we receive your message, a member of our staff will contact you to obtain any additional information that we need and help schedule your free examination.