Battleships & Asbestos Exposure

Battleships, also known as "capital ships," were heavily armored warships containing the largest force of firepower. The Navy used the term 'capital ship' to refer to the sturdiest and most important ship in the war. While capital ships included aircraft carriers and other vessels, they were more often battleships and were chosen to lead the fleet into battle. Battleships were a symbol of dominance during the twentieth century, and for decades the battleship was a major factor in military strategy.

Asbestos was commonly used on battleships and was highly valued for its resistance to heat and fire. All ships built by the Navy before the mid-70s were filled with asbestos-containing materials. These materials were extensively used in engine & boiler rooms and other areas including mess halls, sleeping quarters, and navigation rooms. Products such as cables, gaskets, valves, adhesives and many others also contained asbestos.

Any Naval personnel working in the construction, repair, demolition, or renovation of these ships were likely exposed to asbestos. As a result, many veterans are being diagnosed with asbestos disease due to the exposure they encountered during military service.

Please select a ship from the list below for information regarding specific battleships & potential asbestos-exposure.

Battleships Index

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