Asbestos Exposure in the Coast Guard

The U.S. Armed Forces used asbestos for most of the 20th century. Members of the Coast Guard were mainly exposed to asbestos in their naval vessels, which were built with asbestos-containing materials. As many as 1,800 veterans succumb to asbestos-related illnesses annually. These include asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma.

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Legally Reviewed By: Sam E. Taylor
Managing Attorney | Mesothelioma & Asbestos in Houston

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Sources of U.S. Coast Guard Asbestos Exposure

Are Coast Guard personnel still at risk of asbestos exposure?

The Hidden Dangers of Asbestos

You May Be Entitled to Compensation

Can I sue the USCG for my asbestos exposure?

Who else is liable for Coast Guard asbestos exposure?

How can a mesothelioma attorney help me with my Coast Guard asbestos exposure case?

Why should I choose the asbestos attorneys at The Lanier Law Firm?

Members of the Coast Guard who have been diagnosed with asbestos-related illnesses are entitled to receive VA benefits and may have legal options to recover additional compensation. The experienced mesothelioma attorneys at The Lanier Law Firm can help Coast Guard veterans explore their options.

Sources of U.S. Coast Guard Asbestos Exposure

The U.S. Armed Forces began purchasing asbestos and asbestos-containing products during the 1930s. Coast Guard cutters prior to 1991 are known to contain asbestos. Asbestos use reached its peak during World War II, during which the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) served vital roles both at home and abroad.

The waterproofing and insulating qualities of asbestos made it ideal for multiple applications in shipbuilding and maintenance, resulting in its use for the following applications:

Insulation
Joiner bulkhead systems
Pipe coverings
Boilers
Machinery parts
Bulkhead panels
Joiner bulkhead systems in living spaces
Insulation on both hot water and steam piping
Tanks
Machinery parts
Products used on board ships

While shipbuilders and shipyard maintenance crews were exposed to asbestos throughout their workday, those serving aboard ships were exposed 24/7.

Asbestos Exposure at Sea and Abroad

During World War II, the USCG manned more than 350 naval ships, more than 800 cutters and nearly 300 ships for the Army. All branches of the military utilized asbestos in their shipbuilding and maintenance processes, with the highest incidence of asbestos-containing materials in naval vessels.

Asbestos Exposure at Home

The USCG built and repaired ships at the Coast Guard Shipyard at Curtis Bay in Baltimore, Maryland. Established in 1899, it grew from a 36-acre lease by the Revenue Cutter Service to the USCG’s only shipyard. It spans 113 acres today and is known by Coastguardsmen as simply “the yard.”

By World War II, the shipyard had developed fully functional boat, gas engine and machine shops, in addition to a 40-ton marine engine railway and buoys. Substantial amounts of asbestos were used in the construction of ships from 1940 to 1975. During the war period, the Coast Guard built two of the largest-ever cutters: the MENDOTA and the PONTCHARTRAIN.

Civilians Exposed in Coast Guard Shipyards

Civilian employees play a significant role in the USCG’s operations. During World War II, the Coast Guard employed 3,100 civilian workers in the Curtis Bay shipyard. The USCG has continued to employ civilian workers. A study of more than 4,702 civilian workers employed from 1950 through 1964 revealed an increased mortality rate from lung cancer, mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses.

Are Coast Guard personnel still at risk of asbestos exposure?

Asbestos use on Coast Guard vessels ceased after 1990. However, cutters built prior to 1991 have remained in service despite being known to have asbestos-containing materials aboard, including thermal insulating material and floor tiles. Personnel serving aboard these cutters as well as those providing maintenance to them could be exposed.