Longshoremen & Shipbuilders Exposed to Deteriorating Asbestos Insulation
High Incidence of Asbestos Diseases in Shipyard Workers
The shipbuilding industry has used asbestos to insulate boilers, steam pipes, hot water pipes, and incinerators. Asbestos dust collects around these areas and in poorly ventilated compartments of a ship.
During World War II, many workers employed in shipyards were heavily exposed to asbestos in ships and buildings. In later years, those who worked around asbestos–contaminated pipes, boilers, and other items in shipyards were also exposed to asbestos dust. Overhauling an old ship, which most likely contains asbestos, poses a very high health risk.
Longshoremen, or those who load ships, were also exposed to asbestos when handling items such as asbestos–containing insulation and fireproofing materials. Before the 1980s, they may even have loaded bundles of asbestos fibers. In most cases, they were not aware of the dangerous nature of these materials, and did not take any special precautions.
Maps of Shipyard Locations
Explore where shipyards that used asbestos in shipbuilding and maintenance are located around the United States.
Asbestosis and Lung Cancer in Shipyard Workers
The health consequences of asbestos exposure in the shipyard are great. One medical study followed a group of workers with 20 or more years of employment in ship repair work, and found that 86% developed asbestos–related lung cancer (Irving Selikoff, MD; William Nicholson, Ph.D.; and Ruth Lilis, MD; 1980; Environmental Services Laboratory, Dept. of Community Medicine, Mt. Sinai School of Medicine). The risk continues as attempts are made to renovate asbestos–containing ships and control damaged asbestos in shipyard buildings and structures.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration or OSHA regulates asbestos exposure in the shipyard (OSHA Regulation 29 CFR 1915.1001). A current rule covers demolition, construction, repair of asbestos–containing structures and vessels, emergency procedures in the case of an asbestos spill, and methods for asbestos cleanup and disposal.
