Key Takeaways
- Asbestos was used on virtually every U.S. Navy ship from the 1930s through the 1980s — in insulation, gaskets, valves, floor tiles, textiles, boiler rooms, engine rooms, and even sleeping quarters and mess halls.
- Aircraft carriers used asbestos extensively for fireproofing. Before the 1980s, most compartments on aircraft carriers contained asbestos-containing materials.
- Cruisers carried asbestos in boiler rooms, engine rooms, fuel storage areas, ceiling tiles, pipe insulation, and electrical components — exposing Navy veterans who served across multiple wars.
- Destroyers were among the worst for exposure — asbestos was present in nearly every space below deck, from engine and boiler rooms to sleeping quarters.
- Submarines were especially dangerous because asbestos was used throughout the vessel’s tight, enclosed spaces with limited ventilation and no escape from airborne fibers.
- Auxiliary ships and minesweepers also contained asbestos in pipes, insulation, gaskets, decks, engine rooms, and cement used around steam pipes.
- Navy veterans, shipyard workers, and anyone who performed maintenance, repair, welding, plumbing, insulating, or electrical work on these vessels may have been exposed.
Asbestos was used in US Navy ships from the 1930s to the 1980s and was used in a wide variety of different types of ships. Asbestos is an extremely harmful material, and inhaling it can cause asbestos-related diseases, such as mesothelioma. US Navy ships with asbestos in them was almost certain on every ship.
Aircraft Carriers
Aircraft carriers were built with asbestos-containing materials because asbestos is fire-resistant and there were many fires on these ships. Before the 1980s, most compartments on aircraft carriers contained asbestos. Equipment and products that contained asbestos included textiles, valves, vinyl floor tiles, insulation, gaskets and marine furring.
Cruisers
Navy cruisers also contained asbestos. Navy cruisers were used in World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and the Cold War. In cruisers, asbestos was found in boiler rooms, engine rooms, fuel storage areas, ceiling tiles, pipe insulation, switches and electrical components. People who were at the highest risk of developing asbestos-related diseases on cruisers are Navy veterans.
Auxiliary Ships
Auxiliary ships also contained a lot of asbestos. Asbestos-containing parts on auxiliary ships included cloth, pipes, insulation, fire-resistant sheets and gaskets. Additionally, ship decks usually were insulated by asbestos. Shipyard workers were most at risk of developing asbestos-related diseases, such as mesothelioma. This could include those doing painting, plumbing, repairing, welding, general contracting, insulating and electrical work.
Destroyers
Asbestos was also used in destroyers. Asbestos-containing materials were used in valves, gaskets, adhesives, lagging and cement. Those at risk were almost everyone on the ship, since asbestos was present in boiler rooms and engine rooms, sleeping quarters and mess halls. Almost every space below the deck had asbestos in it.
Submarines
Submarines also had asbestos-containing materials. Since asbestos is light-weight and flexible it was used in submarines because they have small spaces. Fires were more dangerous on submarines, because there was no chance for escape, so asbestos was used since it is fire-resistant. Those most at risk of exposure were maintenance men, repair men and shipyard workers.
Asbestos was also used in Navy minesweepers. Asbestos cement was used to insulate steam pipes. Additionally, asbestos was used in insulation in engine rooms that got hot. Minesweepers also contained packing, pads, gaskets and felt with asbestos. Any US Navy veteran who was on a minesweeper could be at risk of getting an asbestos-related disease.
If you or a loved one has developed mesothelioma, or another asbestos-related disease, please call us at (800) 505-6000 or fill out our contact form to find out how we can help you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which types of U.S. Navy ships contained asbestos?
Nearly every type of U.S. Navy vessel built between the 1930s and 1980s contained asbestos-containing materials. This includes aircraft carriers, cruisers, destroyers, submarines, auxiliary ships, and minesweepers. Asbestos was valued for its fire resistance, lightweight properties, and insulating ability — making it standard material across the fleet.
Where on Navy ships was asbestos typically found?
Asbestos was found throughout Navy ships, including in:
- Boiler rooms and engine rooms — insulation, lagging, and gaskets
- Pipes and steam lines — wrapping, insulation, and asbestos cement
- Living spaces — sleeping quarters, mess halls, ceiling tiles, and vinyl floor tiles
- Electrical systems — switches, wiring insulation, and components
- Deck surfaces — insulation beneath ship decks
- Fireproofing materials — fire-resistant sheets, textiles, and adhesives
On destroyers, virtually every space below deck contained asbestos. On submarines, the confined spaces made exposure especially dangerous.
Which Navy personnel faced the highest risk of asbestos exposure?
Those at highest risk include Navy veterans who served aboard ships from the 1930s through the 1980s and shipyard workers who built, repaired, and maintained vessels. Specific roles with elevated exposure include maintenance workers, repair crews, welders, plumbers, painters, insulators, electricians, and general contractors who worked in and around asbestos-containing areas.
Why was asbestos used so heavily on Navy ships?
Asbestos was used heavily because of its combination of fire resistance, heat insulation, lightweight flexibility, and low cost. On Navy ships — where fire was one of the most dangerous threats — asbestos was considered essential for protecting equipment, insulating high-heat systems, and fireproofing living and working spaces. Its dangers were not widely acknowledged or regulated until decades later.
Why were submarines especially dangerous for asbestos exposure?
Submarines presented a uniquely high risk because of their small, enclosed spaces with extremely limited ventilation. When asbestos-containing materials were disturbed during maintenance or repairs, airborne fibers had nowhere to dissipate — concentrating exposure for everyone aboard. The fire risk on submarines also meant asbestos was used extensively, since fires underwater offered no chance for escape.
How long after serving on a Navy ship can mesothelioma develop?
Mesothelioma has a latency period of 20 to 50 years or more. Many Navy veterans being diagnosed today were exposed during service in the 1960s, 70s, or 80s. Because of this long delay, veterans may not immediately connect their diagnosis to their time in the Navy — but their service history and shipboard exposure are often central to understanding how they developed the disease.
What should Navy veterans do if they’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma?
If you or a loved one served in the U.S. Navy and has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, documenting your service history — including which ships you served on and what roles you held — is an important first step. Call (800) 505-6000 or fill out our contact form for a free consultation and to request our Pennsylvania Mesothelioma Information Guide.
