Mesothelioma Lung Cancer & Effects on Army, Navy & Marine Veterans - Asbestos Exposure in Battleships, Aircraft Carriers, Submarines and Navy Ships
Between the 1940s to the 1960s, many laborers in America served as former Army, Air Force, Marine, Navy, and Coast Guard personnel and now as they are retiring, them and their spouses are developing Asbestos related lung cancer, including malignant mesothelioma. Due to the long latency period in Asbestos relate diseases, it takes between 20 - 50 years before the symptoms of asbestos exposure begin to surface, after initial exposure. The setting of asbestos exposure could be the World War II, the Korean War of 1950s, and other conflicts including the Vietnam war from early 60s to 1975. Navy retirees are shocked to hear that their service to their country is now potentially costing them off their lives; through Cancer development. Navy personnel who worked aboard ships in World War II are particularly at risk of Asbestos exposure due to the nature of their jobs. Because Asbestos has fire-resistant properties and provides insulation against sudden fire outbreaks, it was used to insulate boilers, hot water pipes, steam pipes and nuclear reactors. Those navy personnel involved in the repair and maintenance of such ships have a very high chance of inhaling asbestos fibers that could become airborne through contact with the personnel. After World War II, the role of Asbestos in US navy ships was greatly expanded as Asbestos manufacturers & companies began writing product specifications for ships. Typical products included asbestos cement, gaskets, asbestos clothes & gloves, firebricks, pipe vessels, fireproofing sprays, and more. Laborers who worked on ships as Machinist mates, firemen, boiler tenders, repair personnel, or those involved in the construction & maintenance of the ships including shipfitters, welders, pipefitters, electricians and painters.
The 50 years prior to 1970, Asbestos manufacturing companies produced insulation products that were very popular and used in almost every public building, home, airplane, ship, railroads, etc. Most of these manufacturers knew about the hazardous long term effects of Asbestos & when it becomes airborne, but due to surging sales and profitability, they chose to ignore it. Infact, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that 30% of all navy & military retirees that did their service prior to the 1970s have been exposed to Asbestos and are at risk of developing Asbestos related diseases including Mesothelioma lung cancer. What are the most common War settings where asbestos exposure could have occured? Asbestos exposure could have occured in battleships, aircraft carriers, navy ships and submarines. The image above on the left is of the USS California BB-44 that was built in 1921. Assigned as the flagship for the Pacific Fleet, the USS California BB-44 was considered a "Capital ship" or a very important battle ship, one without which the US could not go to World War II. In 1941, this ship was moved to Pearl Harbour, as tension between the US and Japan grew. When the Japanese bombs attached this ship on December 7th, 1941, over 100 men died and the ship was damaged badly; in fact water poured in to the ship through the holes created by the bombs. The ship was moved to the dry docks for repair. 3 months later, the ship was moved to Puget for more extensive repairs. It was during these repairs and re-construction that thousands of laborers working on the ship were exposed to the deadly Asbestos substance.
i) Asbestos Exposure in Battleships
Asbestos posed high risks of exposure for laborers who worked on Battleships in World War II and other wars. Battleships, also referred to as 'Capital ships' were the strongest and most heavily armored watercrafts and war tools that a country could have in times of Wars and conflicts. Battleships also housed aircraft carriers or warplanes that flew from the runways of the battleships. Because of the soundproofing, insulating and heat-resistant properties of Asbestos, it was used in the construction, maintenance & repair of Battleships. Infact, it is estimated that over 300 asbestos containing products were used in the construction of the battleships, including in the boiler & engine rooms, flooring, piping, plumbing insulation, etc. Examples of ships include the USS Alabama, USS New York BB 34, USS California BB 44, etc. The image on the right is of the USS New York BB 34 that was also used in World War II.
ii) Asbestos in Aircraft Carriers
Aircraft carriers were used extensively in World War II because they enable air operations from a sea vessel. Aircraft carriers allow war planes and warcraft to fly from the runways on aircraft carriers as well as land on them; thus enabling urgent deployment of war vessels as necessary. Because the US military wanted to protect its aircraft carriers from unexpected fire outbreaks, Asbestos was widely used in the construction as well as maintenance/repair of such aircraft carriers. The properties of asbestos including fire-resistant and insulation properties were highly designed in Aircraft carriers. Examples of aircraft carriers include USS Enterprise CV 6, USS Lake Champlain CV 39, USS Phillipine Sea CV, etc.
iii) Asbestos in Submarines
Submarines are generally boats that can operate underwater and be independent of other water crafts. Asbestos poses a serious threat of exposure to pilots driving both small, medium and large sized submarines; especially those involved in the construction, repair and maintenance of these submarines during World War II and other wars. Between World War II and the 1970s, Asbestos was used extensively in submarines because of its fireproofing and heat insulation properties. Examples of such submarines include USS Barracuda SS 163, USS Macabi SS 0017, USS Permit SS 178 and more.
iv) Asbestos in Navy Ships
Asbestos was used extensively in Navy ships during World War II. Due to its fireproofing and heat-resistant properties, Asbestos was used in ships as an insulation provider. This helped in isolating compartments aboard the ships and prevent fires from breaking out. In fact, at one point in the War, use of Asbestos was mandated by the US Navy with the carcinogen being applied to 300 different substances used for construction, maintenance & service of the warships. Asbestos was used in boiler rooms, fire rooms, navigation rooms, mess halls, sleep quarters as well as engine rooms. It was also used in warships products such as gaskets, cement, various adhesives and cables. A study was conducted on the working conditions of the Brooklyn Navy Yard and the Surgeon General found that ship workers were exposed to high levels of Asbestos around the ships's pipe yards and covers, and it was found out that the Surgeon General of the Navy knew the consequences of asbestos exposure. Examples of navy ships that posed risk to workers of Asbestos exposure included the following:
- Aircraft carriers
- Destroyers
- Destroyer Escorts
- Auxiliary ships
- Battleships
- Cruisers
- Patrol boats
- Minesweepers
- Airships
- United States Coast Guard Auxiliary