The shipping industry is one that has long been associated with asbestos exposures. Many of these exposures occur at shipyards. More often than not, it is not the individuals who actually sail the ships, but those who repair them and build them. It is these people who likely have the most direct contact with asbestos materials. Asbestos was banned in the late 1970’s because a clear connection became apparent between exposures and the development of respiratory-related disease, including malignant mesothelioma. Shipyards have been the site of many asbestos exposures that have resulted in incidences of mesothelioma. The disease will typically manifest many years after an exposure, often 20-30.
Why are asbestos exposures so prevalent in shipyards? This is due mainly to the amount of asbestos-containing materials being so widespread in the shipbuilding and repair industries. Asbestos was used in many capacities but most often as an insulation material. The height of shipyard asbestos use was during naval shipbuilding prior and during WWII. The sheer quantity of vessels being built during this period has contributed to a large number of exposure-induced health complications in shipbuilders of this era. Naval and other vessels require a great deal of insulation in many fixtures. Asbestos was commonly found as a covering on a ship’s piping, electrical fixtures, or hull constructions. For naval vessels, which were built to withstand combat operations which may include fire and extreme heat, these insulation materials were even more important.
How do exposures occur and why are they more prevalent in shipyards? Contrary to popular belied, asbestos is generally safe if it is intact and stable. It is usually only when it is disturbed in some way that its fibers become airborne and dangerous. It is in shipyards where these disturbances will typically occur. Shipbuilders often disturb the fibers as materials are installed and fit in place. Ship repairmen are even more likely to disturb the fibers as they may be chipping and grinding at older fixtures in piping and other areas where asbestos is found.
Any shipyard worker who has serviced vessels built prior to the late 1970’s could potentially be at risk. In particular, those who have worked with the vicinity or directly with the above mentioned materials are in a somewhat higher risk pool. It is important that these individuals closely monitory their respiratory health, even if their shipyard tenure occurred many years ago. Early diagnois of asbestos-related health complications is paramount to accessing the best mesothelioma treatments. The individuals should also make their physician aware if they feel they may be at risk because they are more apt to seek out even relatively minor symptoms.