For decades, asbestos was a standard material used throughout U.S. Navy vessels—especially in engine rooms. Touted for its fire resistance and durability, asbestos was viewed as ideal for insulation and machinery components. However, this mineral’s dark side—its ability to cause deadly diseases like mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer—was underappreciated until thousands of veterans began falling ill. Today, many Navy veterans who served between the 1930s and the 1980s are at risk of asbestos-related diseases, with engine room personnel facing the highest levels of exposure.
This article aims to educate Navy veterans on the history of asbestos use, the specific risks tied to engine rooms, available compensation options, and steps they can take for health screenings and legal recourse.
1. Why Was Asbestos Used in U.S. Navy Engine Rooms?
The U.S. Navy incorporated asbestos into ship design for safety and performance. Engine rooms, which operate under intense heat and pressure, were particularly reliant on asbestos for the following reasons:
- Heat Insulation: Asbestos was used to line boilers, turbines, steam pipes, and exhaust systems due to its high resistance to heat.
- Fireproofing: The mineral’s fire-resistant properties made it critical for fire containment in closed engine room compartments.
- Noise Dampening: Asbestos helped reduce the deafening noise levels produced by large engines and generators.
Between the 1930s and late 1970s, almost every Navy ship contained large quantities of asbestos, particularly in engine and boiler rooms, making these areas some of the most contaminated spaces aboard.
According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), “the Navy was one of the heaviest users of asbestos products during the 20th century” (VA.gov).
2. How Were Navy Veterans Exposed to Asbestos in Engine Rooms?
Asbestos exposure occurred in various ways, primarily through the inhalation of airborne fibers released during routine operations or maintenance work.
Key Exposure Activities:
- Repairing and Replacing Insulation: Engine room technicians often removed or disturbed old asbestos lagging on pipes and boilers.
- Machinery Maintenance: Fixing gaskets, valves, pumps, and compressors—many of which used asbestos-based components—frequently released fibers into the air.
- Cleaning Duties: Sweeping or cleaning areas contaminated with deteriorating asbestos materials led to significant dust inhalation.
Engine rooms were poorly ventilated, compounding the risk. Navy personnel often worked in these spaces for extended shifts without protective gear or respiratory protection, increasing the likelihood of prolonged exposure.
3. Health Risks Associated with Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos exposure is now recognized as a direct cause of several life-threatening diseases. These illnesses often have a latency period of 10 to 50 years, which is why many veterans are just now experiencing symptoms decades after their service.
Common Asbestos-Related Illnesses:
- Mesothelioma: A rare and aggressive cancer that affects the lining of the lungs (pleura), abdomen (peritoneum), or heart (pericardium). Mesothelioma is almost exclusively caused by asbestos exposure.
- Asbestosis: A chronic lung condition marked by scarring of lung tissue, leading to breathing difficulty.
- Lung Cancer: Veterans who smoked and were exposed to asbestos face a significantly higher risk of developing lung cancer.
- Pleural Plaques and Thickening: These non-cancerous conditions can impair lung function and are markers of past exposure.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and World Health Organization (WHO) confirm that there is no safe level of asbestos exposure (EPA.gov, WHO.int).
4. Why Are Navy Engine Room Veterans at Higher Risk?
Engine room workers faced concentrated and continuous exposure compared to other crew members. Key factors include:
- Confined Spaces: Poor ventilation meant fibers lingered longer in the air.
- Mechanical Wear and Tear: Constant vibration and friction caused asbestos-containing materials to degrade faster.
- Hands-On Roles: Engine room personnel regularly handled asbestos-insulated machinery.
Even off-duty sailors could be exposed secondhand, as asbestos fibers clung to uniforms, hair, and tools, spreading contamination throughout living quarters.
5. Legal Rights and Compensation for Affected Veterans
Veterans diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases have several legal and financial avenues for compensation, including VA benefits and private legal claims.
VA Disability Benefits
The Department of Veterans Affairs offers disability compensation for veterans who can prove their disease is linked to asbestos exposure during service.
- Eligibility: Must show military service history in engine rooms or on ships known to contain asbestos.
- Compensation: Monthly tax-free payments based on disability rating.
- Additional Support: Free VA healthcare, caregiver programs, and dependency benefits for survivors.
Veterans can file claims through VA.gov or consult accredited Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs) for free assistance.
Asbestos Trust Funds
Many manufacturers of asbestos products filed for bankruptcy and established trust funds to compensate victims.
- Estimated Value: Over $30 billion remains in these funds as of 2025.
- Non-VA Option: Veterans can pursue these claims without affecting their VA benefits.
Legal Claims and Lawsuits
Veterans may also file lawsuits against manufacturers, shipbuilders, or product suppliers—not the military—for negligence. These civil claims can result in:
- Settlements or Verdicts ranging from tens of thousands to millions of dollars.
- No Lawsuit Against the Government: The Feres Doctrine prevents suing the military, but private corporations remain liable.
6. What Should Veterans Do If They Suspect Asbestos Exposure?
If you served in an engine room and are experiencing respiratory symptoms, early action is crucial.
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Schedule a Medical Evaluation
- Inform your doctor of possible asbestos exposure.
- Request imaging tests like chest X-rays or CT scans.
- Ask for a referral to a pulmonologist or oncologist if needed.
- Gather Service Records
- Compile your DD-214, ship assignments, and MOS (Military Occupational Specialty) details.
- Identify the specific ships and time frames of service.
- Apply for VA Benefits
- Start your claim on the VA website or through a VSO.
- Include supporting medical documentation and service history.
- Consult an Asbestos Attorney
- Seek lawyers with experience in mesothelioma and asbestos litigation.
- A good attorney can help identify liable manufacturers and explore trust fund eligibility.
- Join Support Networks
- Organizations like the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation and Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) offer support and advocacy for affected veterans.
7. Famous Navy Ships Known for Asbestos Use
Many vessels are documented to have had extensive asbestos contamination. Notable examples include:
- USS Enterprise (CVN-65)
- USS Forrestal (CV-59)
- USS Midway (CV-41)
- USS Missouri (BB-63)
- USS Oriskany (CV-34)
If you served on any of these ships—especially in engineering roles—it is worth investigating your risk level and exposure potential.
The Naval History and Heritage Command archives and online forums often list known contaminated ships (history.navy.mil).
Conclusion
Engine rooms aboard U.S. Navy ships were some of the most hazardous environments for asbestos exposure. Veterans who served in these roles face a significantly elevated risk of developing severe, often fatal illnesses decades after their service.
But knowledge is power. With awareness, early screening, and proper legal and medical support, affected veterans and their families can access the care and compensation they deserve.
If you or a loved one served in a Navy engine room, don’t wait. Reach out for a medical evaluation and explore your legal rights today.
References
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2023). Asbestos Exposure. https://www.va.gov/disability/eligibility/hazardous-materials-exposure/asbestos/
- Environmental Protection Agency. (2022). Asbestos Information. https://www.epa.gov/asbestos
- World Health Organization. (2019). Asbestos: Elimination of Asbestos-Related Diseases. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/asbestos-elimination-of-asbestos-related-diseases
- Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation. https://www.curemeso.org
- Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization. https://www.asbestosdiseaseawareness.org
- Naval History and Heritage Command. https://www.history.navy.mil
- United States Navy Veterans Mesothelioma Center. https://www.navyvetsmesothelioma.org
