Risk of Exposure on a ship
Beginning in the early 20th century, U.S. Navy ships were built with abundant amounts of asbestos-containing materials. It’s been found in floors, walls, ceilings and everything in between. Anyone working near or onboard these ships is at a high risk of developing mesothelioma.
Boiler Room
Boiler rooms produce searing heat, so the boilers and pipes were covered in asbestos insulation, and the walls were sprayed with asbestos paint.
Ammo Room
With highly explosive weaponry stored in one area, it was vital to ensure the room was protected with a fire-resistant coating. Asbestos was the coating of choice.
Builders
Ship builders worked in close contact with hundreds of toxic asbestos-containing items, from installing asbestos insulation to using asbestos adhesives to wearing fire-protective clothing.
Sleeping Area
Asbestos was also used in the sleeping quarters -- in the wall insulation, the pipes throughout the ship, and, in some cases, in the bedding.
