Washington Navy Yard Asbestos Exposure

For decades, vessels built, repaired, and serviced at Washington Navy Yard contained asbestos. Shipyard workers and U.S. Navy personnel risked mesothelioma from working with asbestos at this shipyard. Today, we’re ready to help U.S. veterans and civilians who are facing this cancer.

Written and Fact-Checked by: Christopher Dryfoos Contributing Author

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What to Know About Asbestos in Washington Navy Yard

The Washington Navy Yard has been part of the U.S. Navy since 1799. Located in Washington, D.C., it’s the Navy’s oldest shore facility. For over 100 years, it served as a naval ordnance plant, helping arm Navy vessels with weaponry and equipment.

However, this shipyard relied heavily on asbestos-containing materials during much of the 20th century. Asbestos was used throughout virtually all U.S. Navy ships, meaning Washington Navy Yard workers risked daily exposure.

In the present, many former Washington Navy Yard workers and U.S. veterans have developed mesothelioma as a direct result of the exposure they faced decades prior.

Mesothelioma & Washington Navy Yard Quick Facts

Also known as: U.S. Naval Gun Factory, United States Naval Weapons Plant
Ships serviced: Destroyers, submarines, auxiliary vessels, and more
Health risks: Asbestos-related diseases like lung cancer and mesothelioma
Asbestos use timelines: 1930s to early 1980s
Who is at risk: U.S. Navy veterans, shipyard workers, civilians, and loved ones

The Mesothelioma Veterans Center is ready to help veterans and former shipyard workers pursue VA benefits, treatments, and financial compensation after a diagnosis. Get our Free Veterans Packet now to find out how we may be able to assist you or someone you love.

How Was Asbestos Used in the Navy Yard in Washington?

Asbestos-containing materials were used throughout Washington Navy Yard for decades. The U.S. Navy actually required the use of asbestos aboard its vessels per government mandates until the early 1980s. The Navy believed asbestos was a safe way to help keep ships fireproof and well-insulated.

As a result, those working on vessels could have been exposed to asbestos at Washington Navy Yard every day during routine maintenance, repairs, construction, or equipment installation.

Notable asbestos-containing products used in the yard included:

Boilers
Electrical panels
Engine rooms
Gaskets
Insulation
Machinery
Pipes
Seals
Steam systems
Wiring

Did you know?

Washington Navy Yard was designated a Superfund site by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1998 for extensive pollution related to ‘forever chemicals’ called PFAS, as well as arsenic, lead, and other toxins. Cleanup efforts are ongoing to this day.

Many workers were exposed without protective gear because the dangers of breathing asbestos fibers were not yet widely recognized.

Those exposures could later lead to mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, asbestosis, and other serious illnesses.

List of Ships Built or Repaired at Washington Navy Yard

U.S. Navy vessels from across the military’s fleet were outfitted with weapons systems made at Washington Navy Yard. Additionally, many ships were built or repaired at this shipyard over the course of its history.

Just a few U.S. Navy ships serviced at Washington Navy Yard included:

Destroyers: These included the USS Barry (DD-933) and USS Blandy (DD-943), among many more.
Submarines: The USS Drum (SS-228) and USS Balao (SS-285) were just a few submarines that spent time at this shipyard.
Other vessels: Auxiliary ships like the USS Sequoia (AG-23), USS Opportune (ARS-41), USS Williamsburg (AGC-369), and USS Papago (T-ATF-160) were all stationed at the shipyard at various points in their histories.

Navy service members and shipyard workers who worked on these vessels and others didn’t know they were being put in danger. This is because manufacturers of asbestos-containing materials hid the health risks for decades.

There's no way to lower the odds of developing mesothelioma after asbestos exposure. As a result, many former shipyard workers are still at risk of getting sick today.

Call (877) 450-8973 now for help exploring your VA benefits and treatment options if you or someone you love has mesothelioma and ever worked at Washington Navy Yard

Could Your Job at Washington Navy Yard Have Put You at Risk?

During World War II, nearly 25,000 military personnel and civilian workers supported operations across 188 buildings. Any of these Washington Navy Yard workers, as well as those who served in the decades afterward, risked everyday exposure to asbestos at this shipyard.

Anyone exposed to asbestos could go on to develop mesothelioma later in life. However, some Washington Navy Yard jobs meant handling asbestos-containing materials on an everyday basis, increasing the odds of getting sick.

High-risk asbestos jobs at the Navy Yard in Washington include:

Boilermakers
Civilian shipyard workers
Electricians
Insulators
Machinists
Maintenance workers
Pipefitters
Plumbers
Welders
U.S. Navy personnel assigned to the yard

Loved ones of Washington Navy Yard workers were also in danger through what’s known as secondhand asbestos exposure. This occurred when shipyard workers came home with asbestos fibers stuck to their clothing or bodies. Daily secondhand exposure increases the risk of mesothelioma.

Shipyard workers likely didn’t know they were being put in danger. This is because it takes 10-50 years or more for mesothelioma to develop after asbestos exposure. As a result, many former Washington Navy Yard workers are just now getting sick.

Washington Navy Yard Mesothelioma Claims

If you have mesothelioma and served at Washington Navy Yard decades ago, you might qualify for compensation and support from a few different resources.

Below, explore how you can file VA benefits claims, mesothelioma lawsuits, and trust fund claims to get the financial assistance you need after a diagnosis.

VA Benefits for Mesothelioma

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers a wide range of benefits to veterans with mesothelioma. The VA typically grants mesothelioma veterans a 100% disability rating, giving them maximum monthly compensation and low-cost treatment options.

Notable mesothelioma VA benefits include:

Disability payouts worth $4,158.17 per month
Free or inexpensive VA health care
Additional resources for next of kin

Major Jonathan Nelson (Ret) is a VA-accredited attorney ready to help you file for mesothelioma VA benefits — for free. Get started with his help now.

Washington Navy Yard Asbestos Lawsuits

U.S. veterans and loved ones can file mesothelioma lawsuits to demand compensation from manufacturers of asbestos-containing products.

The Mesothelioma Veterans Center has partnered with top asbestos law firms who’ll take on the legal work for you, making it easier to get payouts — without suing the government or military.

Did you know?

Our partner asbestos attorneys have secured high payouts for other U.S. veterans with mesothelioma. In one case, we recovered $10.2 million for a U.S. Navy veteran from Washington, D.C.

While there are no guarantees and each case is different, we’ll work to pursue meaningful compensation for your case too.

Get a free case review now to find out your eligibility for a Washington Navy Yard mesothelioma lawsuit.

Asbestos Trust Funds

Many manufacturers of asbestos-containing materials filed for bankruptcy to shield themselves from lawsuits. However, the U.S. courts forced these companies to put significant sums of money into trusts to pay mesothelioma victims.

Today, there’s over $30 billion in total across dozens of asbestos trust funds. You may qualify to get some of this money depending on which asbestos-containing materials you were exposed to at Washington Navy Yard.

Our partner mesothelioma law firm can determine which asbestos trust funds you qualify for and file claims for you without impacting your VA benefits or lawsuits.

Help for Washington Navy Yard Asbestos Exposure

U.S. Navy veterans and civilians who worked at Washington Navy Yard did so with pride, helping to arm vessels for decades. They should have been warned of the risks of asbestos from the outset — but because of corporate negligence, many are still paying the price years later.

At the Mesothelioma Veterans Center, we work to support proud veterans and shipyard workers who developed this cancer through no fault of their own.

We’re ready to help you access:

Essential VA benefits
Health care services near you
Legal compensation
Support for you and your family

Get a Free Veterans Packet or call (877) 450-8973 to explore all of the ways we can assist families like yours during this uncertain time.

Washington Navy Yard Asbestos Exposure FAQs

How do I know if I was exposed to asbestos in the military?

You may or may not know if you were exposed to asbestos during military service. A wide range of components, like insulation, boilers, engines, or electrical panels, all relied on asbestos-containing materials.

If you served at shipyards like Washington Navy Yard, various Navy ships, or military bases, your odds of exposure were high.

You may also have known you were working with asbestos-containing products as part of your military duties, but you probably didn’t know it was dangerous. This is because manufacturers hid the risks for decades to make a profit.

Will 30 minutes of asbestos exposure hurt you?

Yes, even 30 minutes of exposure could trigger serious illnesses like mesothelioma decades later. There’s no safe level of exposure to asbestos according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

If you served at Washington Navy Yard decades ago, you may have been exposed to asbestos for extended periods, which makes your risk of mesothelioma even greater. This is because many shipyard duties involved working directly with asbestos-containing materials on a daily basis.

Can you get VA disability for asbestos exposure?

Yes, you can potentially get VA disability compensation if you have developed an asbestos-related disease like mesothelioma after working at Washington Navy Yard or at some other point during your service.

The average value of mesothelioma disability claims is $4,158.17 monthly since the VA considers the cancer a 100% disability.

Major Jonathan Nelson (Ret) can help you file for or maximize your mesothelioma VA disability benefits. Get started with his help right now.

Was asbestos used throughout the Washington Navy Yard?

Yes. For much of the twentieth century, asbestos-containing materials were widely used throughout the Washington Navy Yard.

Insulation, boilers, steam pipes, pumps, valves, roofing materials, and other industrial equipment commonly contained asbestos because it helped resist heat and fire.

Can family members of Washington Navy Yard workers be exposed to asbestos?

In some cases, yes. Workers may have carried asbestos dust home on their clothing, shoes, or tools. This secondary exposure has been linked to mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases in some family members.

If you lived with someone who worked at Washington Navy Yard decades ago, it’s important to keep a close watch on your health. Mesothelioma doesn’t develop until 10-50 years or more after initial exposure, so many exposed long ago are just being diagnosed.

Can I file a mesothelioma claim if the Washington Navy Yard is still operating?

Yes. Most asbestos claims are filed against the manufacturers and suppliers of asbestos-containing products, not the shipyard. A mesothelioma lawyer can help identify the companies that may be responsible for your exposure.

Additionally, filing a legal claim won’t impact any VA benefits you’re receiving for mesothelioma. It’s a separate process.

Get a free case review now to find out if you’re eligible for mesothelioma legal claims.