Mesothelioma in the Coast Guard

History of Asbestos Use in the Coast Guard

Because asbestos is so versatile, it was used in almost all Coast Guard vehicles, weapons systems, and infrastructure. In fact, each branch of the U.S. Armed Forces used asbestos extensively.

On Coast Guard bases and vehicles, asbestos was commonly found in:

• Boiler rooms
• Cables
• Electrical wiring
• Engine rooms
• Ceiling and floor tiles
• Gaskets
• Insulation
• Mess halls
• Piping
• Valves

For much of the 20th century, the military had no reason to suspect that asbestos was dangerous. Only the manufacturers of asbestos-containing products knew of these dangers, but they hid the truth until the late 1970s after facing numerous lawsuits.

The Coast Guard has since removed almost all of the asbestos from its ships and other assets — but not before hundreds of service members were already exposed.

Coast Guard Jobs With High Asbestos Exposure Risk

Coast Guardsmen who worked directly with asbestos on a consistent basis have the highest rates of asbestos exposure and, in turn, mesothelioma.

Below, learn more about dangerous jobs in the Coast Guard.

Shipyard Workers

Coast Guard veterans with the highest risk of asbestos exposure typically worked in the shipyards. These workers were constantly exposed to asbestos as they built, overhauled, and tore down ships.

Because asbestos was used in so many different areas of the ships, it was nearly impossible for any shipyard worker to avoid exposure. Mechanics who installed and repaired ship components were also at risk.

Construction and Demolition Workers

Coast Guardsmen used dozens of asbestos-containing products during the construction, renovation, or demolition of buildings. Common asbestos products found in Coast Guard buildings were piping, floor or ceiling tiles, and insulation.

“Exceptional exposures [to asbestos] may have occurred during certain maintenance procedures (e.g. tearing up entire floor surfaces of asbestos-containing floor tiles and torching or sanding surfaces painted with lead-containing paint) without the use of personal protective equipment.”

– United States Coast Guard official website

When asbestos-containing products are disturbed, toxic particles are released into the air and can cling to hair and clothing. Workers and those nearby can inhale or ingest the asbestos fibers unknowingly, putting them at risk of deadly illnesses down the road.

U.S. Coast Guard Ships and Asbestos

Because asbestos is so effective at fireproofing, it was widely used to protect U.S. Coast Guard members and equipment from fires while at sea. However, any time Coast Guardsmen installed, repaired, or removed ship components, they faced potential asbestos exposure.

Because military ships typically had poor ventilation, asbestos fibers that were disturbed and became airborne could circulate for hours in small, enclosed areas, such as boiler rooms and engine rooms. Anyone who entered these spaces may have come into contact with asbestos.

As time went on, the asbestos-containing products in Coast Guard ships deteriorated, releasing asbestos fibers into the air. This was common when ships from World War II were reused in later missions.

List of Coast Guard Cutters With Asbestos

U.S. Coast Guard cutters constructed before 1991 are known to have had asbestos materials. In turn, veterans assigned to cutters made before this time may be at risk of developing mesothelioma.

Get a list of cutters known to have contained asbestos.

Secondhand Asbestos Exposure Risks in the Coast Guard

Because the bases and vehicles used by the U.S. Coast Guard relied heavily on asbestos materials, families who lived on or near a military base may have been exposed as properties were repaired, built, or destroyed.

Additionally, when asbestos fibers clung to service members’ uniforms or hair, the fibers could be inhaled by family members through physical contact or as the uniforms were laundered.

Get Help Filing Your VA Claim

Filing for VA benefits or legal compensation without help can be difficult because you may not remember how or where you were exposed to asbestos.

Our VA-accredited claims agents are available to help make the process easier. We have decades of experience creating asbestos exposure summaries and helping veterans get their VA benefits as quickly as possible.

Reach out to a member of our team now.