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Military Ships and Pleural Mesothelioma

The high use of asbestos by the military while shipbuilding was at its peak made the shipyard industry a prime location for asbestos exposure. Navy vessels were required to contain heat-resistant materials and products containing asbestos often provided this need. In addition to fireproofing ships, asbestos was also used to insulate walls, ceilings and pipes onboard. Other products such as valves and gaskets within boiler rooms were common uses for asbestos on ships.

While asbestos provided protection from the spreading of fires, exposure to this naturally occurring mineral is known to cause pleural mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases later in life. Navy vessels that were commonly built with asbestos-containing materials between the 1940s and 1970s included:

Battleships

Battleships were heavily-armored warships consisting of significant firepower. They were larger than cruisers and destroyers and represented naval dominance during their peak in military involvement. As the largest ships in the fleet, they were used to fight opposing vessels and control the seas.

Aircraft Carriers

Aircraft carriers provide the ability of deploying and recovering aircraft while at sea. They enable the Navy to have air power at great distances without having to depend on land bases thousands of miles away. However, these vessels are vulnerable to attack, which is why they often travel in groups for protection.

Cruisers

Cruiser vessels were warships built to attack enemy merchant ships. They were larger than a destroyer, but smaller than a battleship. While battleships typically stayed closer to home bases, cruisers were sent on missions and acted as long-range protection.

Submarines

Submarines are vessels that can perform tasks underwater. They are often referred to as boats rather than ships for historical reasons. Submarines often served by attacking enemy ships or submarines, protecting aircraft carriers, blockade running and as a nuclear strike force.

Destroyers

Destroyers were fast warship vessels designed to defend the fleet from smaller attackers such as torpedo boats, submarines and aircrafts. They were smaller than a battleship, but larger than a cruiser. In many cases, destroyers were used to escort larger vessels in a fleet.

Auxiliary Vessels

Auxiliary vessels were designed to support other combat ships in a variety of ways, including repairs, replenishment and transport. While these vessels did not play a combat role, they were equipped with some combat capacity for self defense purposes.

Asbestos Exposure

Navy veterans who served on these vessels may be at risk of developing an asbestos-related disease such as pleural mesothelioma. Shipyard workers who built and repaired these ships are also at risk of contracting an asbestos-related condition due to the significant amount of asbestos exposure around shipyards. It is recommended for anyone who may have been exposed to asbestos to receive regular checkups for signs of asbestos exposure because symptoms can take up to 50 years to arise.

PleuralMesothelioma.com offers free assistance to veterans filing a VA claim. Our Veterans Assistance Department has reliable experience in filing VA claims and we can help any veteran with pleural mesothelioma to acquire benefits from the VA. To speak with someone in our Veterans Assistance Department please call 1-800-615-2270 or simply fill out the form on this page to be contacted.