🚢 Shipyards With Asbestos Exposure

For decades, U.S. shipyards heavily relied on asbestos-containing materials to insulate pipes, boilers, engines, and bulkheads. As a result, veterans, dock workers, and shipbuilders were often exposed to airborne asbestos dust—especially during shipbuilding, repairs, or decommissioning of vessels. While asbestos use declined after 1980, exposure risks remain when working on older ships or aging infrastructure.

⚓ Shipyard Job Sites – What You’ll Learn From This Page:

🛠️ Asbestos was used extensively in shipyard construction—especially in insulation, boiler rooms, turbines, and gaskets.

🔥 Cutting, welding, grinding, and repairs disturbed asbestos-containing materials and released airborne fibers.

👷 Pipefitters, insulators, welders, painters, and machinists were exposed daily during vessel fabrication and retrofitting.

🌫️ Dust lingered in enclosed compartments, exposing both builders and future sailors during construction.

💰 Shipyard workers with asbestos-related diseases may qualify for trust fund compensation or lawsuits.

Visit Our List of Shipyard Asbestos Exposure Articles

Estimated Number of People Exposed to Asbestos in U.S. Shipyards

👉 Total Estimated Exposure:
Over 3.5 million people were exposed to asbestos in shipyards.

🟧 List of U.S. Shipyards by State

🟫 Alabama Shipyards with Asbestos Exposure

Alabama’s shipyards played a key role in building and repairing military and commercial vessels. During much of the 20th century, shipbuilders, welders, insulators, and mechanics across Alabama worked daily with asbestos-laced materials. Pipes, boilers, gaskets, and engine components were frequently wrapped or constructed with asbestos due to its fireproofing and heat-resistant properties. Workers inhaled asbestos fibers during ship construction, maintenance, and dismantling. Even today, shipyard employees may be exposed when servicing older vessels built prior to asbestos restrictions implemented in the 1980s, making vigilance and protection essential in these environments.

• ⚓ ADDSCO Shipyard (Alabama Dry Dock & Shipbuilding Company) – Workers were exposed to airborne asbestos fibers while insulating steam lines, ship machinery, and thermal systems.

• ⚓ Bender Shipbuilding & Repair Inc. – Mechanics faced asbestos dust during valve, gasket, and boiler repair work aboard military and commercial ships.

• ⚓ Bethlehem Steel Shipyard – Shipbuilders encountered asbestos in insulation, pipefitting materials, and engine compartments while constructing large commercial and military vessels.

• ⚓ Gulf Ship Building Company – Employees removed and replaced asbestos-covered pipes and equipment, releasing fibers during routine overhauls and retrofit operations.

🟧 California Shipyards With Asbestos Exposure

California’s extensive coastline led to the development of major shipyards vital to World War II and Cold War naval operations. From San Francisco to San Diego, these shipyards built and maintained countless vessels. Unfortunately, asbestos was heavily used throughout these facilities—in insulation, boilers, fireproof materials, and piping. Thousands of Navy veterans, civilian contractors, and shipyard laborers were exposed to toxic asbestos fibers. Even now, workers may encounter asbestos when refurbishing older ships or working in legacy facilities where asbestos-containing materials are still present, posing long-term health risks if disturbed.

• ⚓ Bethlehem Steel Shipyard – San Francisco – Employees installed asbestos lagging on steam pipes, exposed during removal, repairs, and ship retrofits.

• ⚓ Bethlehem Steel Shipyard – Terminal Island – Mechanics faced asbestos while replacing insulation, boilers, and valves aboard Navy vessels.

• ⚓ Consolidated Steel Shipyard – Shipbuilders cut and shaped asbestos insulation for bulkheads, engine rooms, and mechanical systems.

• ⚓ Hunters Point Naval Shipyard – Repairs on nuclear subs and aircraft carriers released asbestos dust from gaskets and deck insulation.

• ⚓ Kaiser Shipyard – Welders and pipefitters were exposed while handling asbestos wrap and cement during ship fabrication.

• ⚓ Long Beach Naval Shipyard – Asbestos insulation removal during upgrades exposed workers in poorly ventilated spaces.

• ⚓ Mare Island Naval Shipyard – Maintenance crews disturbed asbestos lining submarine propulsion systems and exhaust tunnels.

• ⚓ Moore Dry Dock Company – Workers faced asbestos exposure during turbine and piping system installation on naval vessels.

• ⚓ NASSCO (National Steel and Shipbuilding Co.) – Shipbuilders applied asbestos insulation on boilers and bulkheads in commercial and Navy ships.

• ⚓ Naval Base San Diego – Technicians encountered aging asbestos components in confined ship compartments during daily maintenance.

• ⚓ Richmond Shipyard – Wartime shipbuilding used asbestos blocks, insulation, and adhesives in nearly every vessel component.

• ⚓ Rough & Ready Island – Crews disturbed asbestos while dismantling outdated ship systems and performing hull repairs.

• ⚓ San Francisco Dry Dock Company – Repairing and refitting older ships released asbestos from structural and mechanical materials.

• ⚓ Todd Shipyard – Boiler work and mechanical servicing created airborne asbestos from deteriorating insulation and gasket materials.

• ⚓ Treasure Island Naval Station – Service personnel faced exposure while repairing asbestos-laden quarters and ship interiors.

• ⚓ U.S. Naval Station – Routine operations on legacy vessels led to frequent contact with friable asbestos-containing components.

🟩 Connecticut Shipyards With Asbestos Exposure

Connecticut’s shipyards contributed to submarine and ship construction for decades, particularly during wartime. These facilities, including Electric Boat and the Navy Submarine Base in New London, used asbestos extensively to protect high-heat systems aboard submarines and destroyers. Workers were exposed during insulation, welding, engine overhauls, and general maintenance. The confined spaces of submarines made asbestos exposure even more dangerous. While safety measures have improved, many vessels from this era are still in service, and maintenance workers risk exposure when accessing or removing aging asbestos materials.

• ⚓ General Dynamics Electric Boat – Asbestos was used in submarine insulation; workers faced exposure in tight, poorly ventilated compartments.

• ⚓ Thames Shipyard – Mechanics encountered asbestos insulation and pipe wrap while overhauling engines and ship exhaust systems.

• ⚓ Naval Submarine Base New London – Technicians removed asbestos insulation from subs during dockside repairs and retrofitting efforts.

🟦 Florida Shipyards With Asbestos Exposure

Florida’s vast coastline made it a hub for shipbuilding and marine repair. Civilian and military shipyards across the state relied on asbestos materials to insulate boilers, pipes, and bulkheads aboard vessels. Before the 1980s, shipyard workers, sailors, and contractors faced routine exposure to airborne asbestos while performing engine repairs, insulation replacement, and fireproofing tasks. Many shipyards serviced older Navy ships long after they were built, increasing risks for maintenance crews. Even today, older vessels undergoing repair or decommissioning can still contain asbestos materials that endanger unprotected workers.

• ⚓ Atlantic Dry Dock – Ship repair crews removed asbestos-wrapped piping and bulkhead insulation during retrofitting operations.

• ⚓ Bellinger Shipyard – Technicians were exposed to airborne asbestos fibers while dismantling engine parts and insulating ductwork.

• ⚓ Gulf Marine Repair – Repairs on commercial tankers and Navy vessels disturbed asbestos insulation and gasket seals.

• ⚓ Hendry Corporation – Pipefitters faced asbestos exposure from valve repairs and equipment wrapped in fireproof insulation.

• ⚓ Hooker’s Point Yard – Asbestos insulation removal from ship exhaust and power systems exposed many workers.

• ⚓ Mayport Naval Station – Sailors and civilian crews encountered friable asbestos during ship maintenance and retrofitting.

• ⚓ Offshore Shipbuilding – Shipbuilding activities disturbed asbestos-containing materials in engine compartments and ventilation systems.

• ⚓ Pensacola Naval Air Station – Aircraft and ship mechanics handled aging asbestos in hangars and support vessels.

• ⚓ Tampa Bay Shipbuilding – Workers overhauled boilers and pipe systems insulated with asbestos lagging.

🟨 Hawaii Shipyards With Asbestos Exposure

Hawaii’s strategic military position in the Pacific made it home to one of the nation’s largest naval shipyards: Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard. Established in 1908, it has long played a key role in submarine and ship repair operations. Asbestos was used throughout the shipyard’s buildings and vessels to control heat and prevent fires. Workers were exposed during retrofits, welding, pipe repairs, and mechanical overhauls. Although regulations reduced asbestos use after 1980, legacy ships and outdated equipment continue to pose exposure risks to civilian and military personnel alike.

• ⚓ Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard – Engine repairs, pipe insulation replacement, and fireproofing disturbed asbestos, endangering machinists and maintenance crews.

🟥 Louisiana Shipyards With Asbestos Exposure

Louisiana’s shipbuilding history dates back to World War II, when it became a major contributor to naval and commercial vessel production. Shipyards along the Gulf Coast used asbestos extensively in ship construction and machinery insulation. Workers inhaled fibers during pipe fitting, welding, and maintenance on older vessels—particularly in tight engine rooms. Even today, asbestos risks remain in shipyards as older vessels come in for repairs. Asbestos-related diseases have been reported among both civilian workers and veterans stationed at these facilities, especially those employed before asbestos regulation enforcement.

• ⚓ Avondale Shipyards Inc. – Baton Rouge – Workers handled asbestos-insulated turbines and boiler components during ship retrofits.

• ⚓ Avondale Shipyards Inc. – Westwego – Technicians removed old asbestos pipe lagging during system upgrades.

• ⚓ Avondale Shipyards, Inc. (Main) – Workers in every department faced exposure from asbestos dust during construction and engine work.

• ⚓ Avondale Shipyards – Algiers – Asbestos gaskets and insulation were disturbed in engine room repairs and upgrades.

• ⚓ Avondale Shipyards – New Orleans – Fireproofing and exhaust systems contained asbestos, exposing maintenance teams.

• ⚓ Bollinger Shipyard – Tugboat and barge retrofits released asbestos from valves and pipe wrappings.

• ⚓ Conrad Industries – Workers encountered asbestos dust while upgrading old ship propulsion and exhaust systems.

🟪 Maine Shipyards With Asbestos Exposure

Maine’s shipyards, especially Bath Iron Works and Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, have a long legacy of shipbuilding and repair, especially for naval vessels. These facilities used asbestos heavily throughout the 20th century to protect against heat and fire. Mechanics, welders, electricians, and insulators were often exposed to airborne fibers while installing or removing asbestos components on ships and submarines. Confined working conditions intensified the exposure risk. Even today, older vessels docked in Maine may still contain asbestos insulation, creating potential hazards during ongoing maintenance or modernization efforts.

• ⚓ Bath Iron Works Corporation – Shipbuilders handled asbestos in boiler rooms, exhaust systems, and steam pipes.

• ⚓ Portsmouth Naval Shipyard – Submarine workers removed asbestos from propulsion and ventilation systems during repairs.

🟫 Massachusetts Shipyards With Asbestos Exposure

Massachusetts shipyards were essential to U.S. Navy operations throughout the 1800s and 1900s. During these years, shipbuilding companies used asbestos as a standard material for insulation, gaskets, and boiler linings. Employees working in dry docks, mechanical rooms, and fireproofing units regularly inhaled airborne asbestos fibers. Many facilities operated well into the 1970s, leaving veterans and shipyard workers at risk of exposure. Even after asbestos was phased out, older vessels and infrastructure maintained at these yards continue to pose a risk when disturbed during repairs or renovations.

• ⚓ Bethlehem Hingham Shipyard – WWII-era shipbuilders handled asbestos insulation and lagging in cramped ship compartments.

• ⚓ Boston Navy Yard – Crew members encountered asbestos insulation during engine and power system servicing.

• ⚓ Charlestown Navy Yard – Pipefitters and boiler workers inhaled asbestos dust while maintaining steam systems.

• ⚓ Fore River Shipyard – Workers cut and replaced asbestos-containing thermal materials in warship construction.

• ⚓ General Ship Corporation – Insulators and machinists handled asbestos-packed valves and bulkheads daily.

🟦 Michigan Shipyards With Asbestos Exposure

Michigan’s shipyards, though fewer than in coastal states, still played a vital role in military and commercial shipbuilding during the 20th century. Most notably, the Defoe Shipyard produced and repaired naval vessels that relied on asbestos-containing materials for insulation, gaskets, and high-heat protection. Workers encountered these materials daily in engine rooms, pipe systems, and machinery spaces. Before the 1980s, there were few regulations limiting asbestos exposure. Today, risks persist when older ships or shipyard infrastructure are maintained, and protective measures must be followed to prevent asbestos-related diseases.

• ⚓ Defoe Shipyard – Shipbuilders and machinists handled asbestos insulation while outfitting boilers, propulsion units, and exhaust systems on Navy vessels.

🟥 Mississippi Shipyards With Asbestos Exposure

Mississippi’s shipyards, particularly Ingalls Shipbuilding, were instrumental during wartime and throughout the 20th century. Asbestos was used extensively in ship construction for fireproofing and insulation. Workers faced exposure while installing, repairing, or removing asbestos materials from boilers, gaskets, valves, and pipe systems. Many veterans and civilian employees later developed asbestos-related illnesses due to the lack of protective equipment and poor ventilation. Today, these risks continue during modernization and repair of older vessels containing original asbestos components that were never removed or safely encapsulated.

• ⚓ Ingalls Shipyard – Asbestos was found in propulsion, insulation, and exhaust systems on military vessels, putting workers in danger during repairs.

• ⚓ Naval Station Pascagoula – Workers inhaled asbestos dust while removing thermal insulation from aging ships in drydock.

• ⚓ Trinity Marine Group – Maintenance crews disturbed asbestos insulation while welding, grinding, and upgrading older ship systems.

🟨 New Hampshire Shipyards With Asbestos Exposure

New Hampshire shares the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard with Maine, a facility long associated with submarine construction and overhaul. Though technically located in Kittery, Maine, its close proximity made it a major workplace for New Hampshire residents. Asbestos exposure occurred in engine rooms, piping compartments, and ventilation systems aboard submarines and Navy ships. Because of the confined spaces typical in submarine maintenance, workers were often unable to avoid inhaling airborne asbestos fibers. These exposures continued until asbestos regulations became stricter in the 1980s—but risks still remain from older vessel components.

• ⚓ Portsmouth Naval Shipyard – Technicians, pipefitters, and welders faced asbestos hazards during submarine retrofits and confined engine compartment work.

🟫 New Jersey Shipyards With Asbestos Exposure

New Jersey shipyards were some of the busiest along the East Coast during the 1900s, particularly in Camden, Hoboken, and Burlington. These facilities built and maintained military and merchant vessels using asbestos in nearly every ship component: steam pipes, valves, boilers, and insulation panels. Workers faced daily exposure in close quarters with little or no respiratory protection. Despite modern awareness, asbestos still lingers in some aging equipment and vessels. Even brief exposures at these sites have contributed to long-term illness for countless shipbuilders and military personnel.

• ⚓ New York Shipbuilding Corporation – Asbestos dust from insulation and cement materials filled the air during ship fabrication and repairs.

• ⚓ New York Shipbuilding – Burlington – Maintenance workers disturbed asbestos insulation while upgrading boilers and steam pipes in retired ships.

• ⚓ Todd Shipyard – Electricians and welders encountered crumbling asbestos during component replacement and compartment retrofits.

🟥 New York Shipyards With Asbestos Exposure

New York’s shipyards—including the iconic Brooklyn Navy Yard—played a major role in military ship construction throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. These facilities heavily relied on asbestos for its heat and fire resistance, using it in ship hulls, engines, and structural panels. Thousands of Navy personnel, contractors, and shipyard workers were exposed during welding, pipefitting, and retrofitting operations. Although many shipyards closed or reduced asbestos use post-1980, legacy ships and infrastructure still harbor asbestos risks. Exposure continues during repairs, posing a danger to anyone handling deteriorating materials.

• ⚓ Bethlehem Steel Shipyard – Workers removed asbestos insulation from engine rooms and exhaust systems during major overhaul projects.

• ⚓ Brooklyn Navy Yard – Naval vessel retrofits stirred asbestos dust in engine compartments, walls, and fireproof panels.

• ⚓ Caddell Dry Dock & Repair Company, Inc. – Crews were exposed while cutting and replacing asbestos-packed gaskets and valve seals.

• ⚓ GMD Shipyard – Maintenance of aging mechanical systems released asbestos from pipe insulation and machine housings.

• ⚓ Todd Shipyards Corporation – Frequent contact with aging ship components containing asbestos endangered pipefitters and electrical workers.

🟧 Oregon Shipyards With Asbestos Exposure

Oregon’s coastal location made it an active site for shipbuilding and repair during wartime and into the late 20th century. Shipyards from Portland to Astoria used asbestos heavily in ship construction and drydock operations. Asbestos wrapped steam lines, lined boiler rooms, and filled engine compartments. Workers inhaled dangerous fibers while grinding, sawing, or removing these materials. Exposure continued long after peak asbestos use ended in the 1980s due to older vessels needing repair. Today, residual asbestos in ships still poses a risk during upgrades or maintenance work.

• ⚓ Albina Shipyards – Workers cut asbestos-insulated pipe and gaskets, releasing fibers during new ship construction and decommissioning work.

• ⚓ Astoria Marine Shipyard – Mechanics disturbed asbestos during pipefitting and repairs on Navy vessels and commercial ships.

• ⚓ Cascade General Inc. – Refurbishing boilers and turbines exposed laborers to asbestos dust inside ship compartments.

• ⚓ Dyer Shipyard – Workers encountered asbestos while welding near insulated bulkheads and steam systems aboard old vessels.

• ⚓ Northwest Marine Ironworks – Rewiring and engine repairs released asbestos from aging insulation and exhaust housings.

• ⚓ Portland Ship Repair Yard – Shipyard crews replaced asbestos-lagged valves, engines, and ductwork in older commercial vessels.

• ⚓ South Portland Shipyard and Marine Railways Corp. – Shipbuilders installed asbestos-wrapped pipes and insulation in Liberty Ships.

• ⚓ Swan Island Shipyard – Maintenance workers disturbed asbestos during hull retrofits and machinery upgrades in confined spaces.

• ⚓ Tongue Point Naval Shipyard – Refitting military vessels exposed electricians and fitters to deteriorating asbestos materials.

• ⚓ Willamette Shipyard – Pipefitters and insulators handled asbestos-coated components in boiler systems and propulsion units.

🟨 Pennsylvania Shipyards With Asbestos Exposure

Although landlocked in parts, Pennsylvania had several critical shipyards located near coastal waterways like the Delaware River. These shipyards, especially the Philadelphia Navy Yard, were major employers for both military and civilian workers during the 20th century. Asbestos was widely used in shipbuilding for insulation and fireproofing. Mechanics, pipefitters, and electricians were frequently exposed while servicing boilers, engines, and structural materials. Even today, drydock maintenance of older Navy ships continues to pose a risk of asbestos exposure to shipyard employees if proper precautions are not in place.

• ⚓ Penn Shipbuilding – Engine upgrades disturbed asbestos insulation wrapped around turbines, exhaust systems, and overhead piping.

• ⚓ Philadelphia Navy Shipyard – Thousands inhaled airborne asbestos during retrofits and repairs of military ships over many decades.

• ⚓ Sun Shipbuilding – Workers faced daily asbestos exposure in boiler rooms and cargo hold insulation compartments.

🟪 Rhode Island Shipyards With Asbestos Exposure

Rhode Island was home to vital naval operations during the 1900s, particularly at Naval Station Newport and Quonset Point Naval Station. These shipyards and naval facilities used asbestos in submarines, destroyers, and shipyard buildings to control heat and fire risk. Service members, shipyard workers, and maintenance crews were exposed while working in engine rooms, removing insulation, or cutting asbestos sheets. While modern materials are safer, older structures and ships still present danger. Today, asbestos abatement remains critical when handling legacy equipment and vessel overhauls in Rhode Island yards.

• ⚓ Naval Station Newport – Crew members disturbed asbestos during engine work, pipe maintenance, and repairs aboard decommissioned Navy ships.

• ⚓ Quonset Point Naval Station – Mechanics and welders inhaled asbestos fibers during retrofit work inside submarine and vessel systems.

🟥 South Carolina Shipyards With Asbestos Exposure

South Carolina’s shipyards contributed to both commercial and naval maritime efforts, especially in Charleston. Throughout much of the 1900s, these facilities used asbestos in ship insulation, fireproofing, piping systems, and power machinery. Asbestos exposure was common among welders, pipefitters, electricians, and engine room personnel who disturbed the mineral during maintenance or fabrication. Many workers did not use protective gear, increasing the risk. Today, asbestos still lingers in older vessels and support buildings, and any remodeling or repair work must be approached with caution to prevent fiber inhalation.

• ⚓ Braswell Services Group – Crews replacing old boiler parts and valves encountered asbestos-wrapped systems in commercial ships.

• ⚓ Carolina Shipping Company – Stevedores and laborers were exposed during engine room cleaning and pipework in asbestos-lined areas.

• ⚓ Charleston Naval Base – Sailors and dock workers inhaled fibers during ship retrofits and routine system maintenance.

• ⚓ Detyens Shipyards, Inc. – Workers cut into asbestos insulation while repairing steam lines and vessel exhaust equipment.

🟥 Texas Shipyards With Asbestos Exposure

Texas, with its long Gulf Coastline, became a major shipbuilding center for both Navy and offshore vessels. Dozens of shipyards operated throughout the state, especially around Houston, Galveston, and Orange. These facilities relied heavily on asbestos for fireproofing and thermal insulation on boilers, pipes, engines, and electrical systems. Pipefitters, welders, machinists, and maintenance workers were regularly exposed to airborne asbestos fibers, especially when working in engine rooms or removing old components. Despite regulatory changes, older ships and yards still pose asbestos risks during modern repair or demolition.

• ⚓ American Bridge Shipyard – Workers cut and replaced asbestos-lagged panels and piping in military vessel retrofits.

• ⚓ AMFELS Shipyard – Technicians encountered asbestos in heat-resistant parts during offshore platform and vessel construction.

• ⚓ Barbas Cut Docks – Repair crews inhaled fibers when dismantling asbestos-insulated ship hulls and exhaust systems.

• ⚓ Bloodworth Shipyard – Asbestos was disturbed during electrical, boiler, and valve repairs on aging tugboats and barges.

• ⚓ Brown Shipbuilding Company – WWII warship builders handled asbestos insulation throughout all ship compartments and mechanical areas.

• ⚓ Consolidated Shipyard – Maintenance teams removed asbestos from engines, ductwork, and overhead piping systems.

• ⚓ Consolidated Steel Shipbuilding – Laborers replaced worn asbestos materials inside propulsion units and power systems.

• ⚓ Galveston Docks – Pipework and deck repairs released airborne asbestos from fireproof coatings and insulation.

• ⚓ Houston Shipyards – Welders and mechanics disturbed asbestos insulation while upgrading boilers and machinery.

• ⚓ Kane Shipbuilding – Ship refurbishing exposed workers to asbestos in seals, flange packing, and pipe wrap.

• ⚓ Naval Station Ingleside – Navy contractors inhaled asbestos while cutting through steam system lagging in support ships.

• ⚓ Orange Shipbuilding Company – Boiler and engine crews removed crumbling asbestos insulation from military and cargo vessels.

• ⚓ Port Adams Shipyard – Technicians encountered asbestos while overhauling turbines and high-temperature control systems.

• ⚓ Texas Boats of Freeport – Marine technicians handled asbestos-covered exhaust ducts during maintenance.

• ⚓ Todd Shipyards Corporation – Overhaul crews disturbed asbestos insulation and fireproofing during equipment upgrades and ship retrofits.

🟫 Virginia Shipyards With Asbestos Exposure

Virginia has long been a hub for U.S. Navy shipbuilding and repair, with major facilities in Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Newport News. These shipyards used asbestos extensively in steam systems, boilers, bulkheads, and engine compartments. From the early 1900s until the 1980s, countless shipyard workers, welders, machinists, and sailors were exposed to asbestos fibers during construction and repair operations. Although safety regulations now exist, asbestos remains in older naval vessels and facilities, creating ongoing health risks. Asbestos abatement continues to be essential during retrofits, maintenance, and ship dismantling projects.

• ⚓ Colonna’s Shipyard – Workers disturbed asbestos insulation while servicing boilers, pumps, and piping systems aboard aging commercial ships.

• ⚓ Lyon Shipyard – Pipefitters and welders faced asbestos exposure from outdated insulation in steam lines and engine compartments.

• ⚓ Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek – Maintenance of landing craft and Navy vessels released asbestos from control panels and exhaust systems.

• ⚓ Newport News Shipbuilding – One of the largest U.S. yards where asbestos was used in nearly every ship system and workspace.

• ⚓ Norfolk Naval Shipyard – Navy workers inhaled asbestos fibers while performing ship decommissioning and propulsion system upgrades.

• ⚓ Norfolk Ship Repair Company (NORSHIPCO) – Contractors and mechanics were exposed during pipe lagging removal and boiler retrofits.

🟩 Washington Shipyards With Asbestos Exposure

Washington’s deep maritime history includes large naval and commercial shipyards in Seattle, Tacoma, Bremerton, and Vancouver. These facilities produced and repaired hundreds of ships, many of which used asbestos for insulation and fire resistance. Workers in confined engine rooms and mechanical spaces inhaled asbestos fibers while cutting, sanding, or removing damaged materials. Even after regulations changed, legacy vessels continued to expose personnel to asbestos hazards. Today, Washington shipyard workers may still encounter asbestos during vessel refits, drydock work, or while servicing aging ships in the Pacific Northwest fleet.

• ⚓ Bremerton Naval Shipyard – Submarine and aircraft carrier repairs disturbed asbestos insulation in propulsion systems and control rooms.

• ⚓ Duwamish Shipyard – Repair crews handled asbestos insulation during hull overhauls and mechanical system replacements.

• ⚓ Kaiser Shipyard – WWII shipbuilding involved widespread use of asbestos in engine rooms, ventilation, and crew quarters.

• ⚓ Lake Union Drydock Company – Refurbishing small vessels and tugboats exposed mechanics to asbestos-laced gaskets and lagging.

• ⚓ Lockheed Shipbuilding – Pipefitters and welders encountered asbestos during Navy ship upgrades and system installations.

• ⚓ Naval Station Everett – Technicians were exposed while performing repairs on older ships containing legacy asbestos insulation.

• ⚓ Puget Sound Bridge & Dredge Shipyard – Ship repair operations exposed workers to asbestos in confined mechanical compartments.

• ⚓ Puget Sound Naval Shipyard – One of the largest naval overhaul yards; asbestos exposure occurred throughout submarine and ship systems.

• ⚓ Tacoma Boatbuilding Company – Maintenance teams disturbed asbestos while modifying high-temperature engine and steam equipment.

• ⚓ Todd Shipyards – Seattle – Electricians and plumbers inhaled asbestos during vessel retrofitting and power system installation.

• ⚓ Todd Shipyards Corp – Tacoma – Repairs on older ships disturbed crumbling asbestos insulation wrapped around pipes and fittings.

• ⚓ Vancouver Shipyard – Laborers encountered asbestos during tank construction and welding inside steam-powered ships.

• ⚓ Voyage Repair Station – Port Angeles – Field teams disturbed asbestos while conducting mobile repairs on retired Navy vessels.