Mesothelioma Navy Navy Ship Asbestos History 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The shipyard at Norfolk, Virginia became infamous in asbestos litigation because:
- It refused to use asbestos products
- Thousands of workers were exposed to asbestos during ship construction and repair (Correct answer)
- It was the first to warn workers about asbestos dangers
- It only built civilian vessels
Correct answer: Thousands of workers were exposed to asbestos during ship construction and repair
Norfolk Naval Shipyard exposed tens of thousands of workers to asbestos dust during decades of warship construction and maintenance.
Question 2: During WWII, why was asbestos removal NOT prioritized on damaged warships being repaired?
- Asbestos health risks were fully understood but ignored
- Speed of repair was paramount and health concerns were secondary to the war effort (Correct answer)
- Asbestos products were unavailable so removal was moot
- All damaged ships were decommissioned rather than repaired
Correct answer: Speed of repair was paramount and health concerns were secondary to the war effort
Wartime necessity meant ships were repaired as fast as possible, and asbestos health risks were not yet fully recognized or prioritized.
Question 3: Which specific type of Navy ship typically carried the highest concentration of asbestos due to its complex machinery and long service life?
- Patrol torpedo boats (PT boats)
- Battleships (Correct answer)
- Minesweepers
- Landing craft
Correct answer: Battleships
Battleships had enormous engine rooms, boiler systems, and structural spaces packed with asbestos across their decades-long service lives.
Question 4: How did asbestos-containing fire blankets on Navy ships contribute to mesothelioma risk?
- They were safe and never caused exposure
- Fibers released during handling and storage in confined ship compartments exposed crew members (Correct answer)
- They were made of synthetic fibers, not asbestos
- Their use was restricted to outdoor deck areas only
Correct answer: Fibers released during handling and storage in confined ship compartments exposed crew members
Fire blankets made with asbestos released fibers when handled, shaken out, or stored in poorly ventilated ship compartments.
Question 5: The USS Missouri (BB-63) battleship is relevant to asbestos history because:
- It was the first ship to use asbestos-free materials
- It served from WWII through the Gulf War with asbestos insulation throughout its long service life (Correct answer)
- Its crew received early asbestos health warnings in the 1940s
- It was sunk before asbestos exposure became a health concern
Correct answer: It served from WWII through the Gulf War with asbestos insulation throughout its long service life
The USS Missouri served from 1944 through 1992, meaning sailors across many decades were exposed to its original asbestos insulation.
Question 6: Why were Navy submarine crews considered at particularly high risk for asbestos exposure?
- Submarines used more asbestos than surface ships by regulation
- Enclosed submarine spaces prevented asbestos fibers from dispersing, concentrating exposure (Correct answer)
- Submarine crews worked longer shifts than surface sailors
- Asbestos was used as ballast in early submarines
Correct answer: Enclosed submarine spaces prevented asbestos fibers from dispersing, concentrating exposure
The sealed, poorly ventilated environment of submarines trapped asbestos fibers in the air, intensifying crew exposure.
Question 7: Which federal agency eventually established regulations that reduced asbestos use in Naval shipbuilding?
- Department of Veterans Affairs
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) (Correct answer)
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
- Department of Transportation
Correct answer: Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
OSHA established asbestos exposure limits beginning in 1971, gradually reducing asbestos use in shipyards and naval construction.
Mesothelioma Navy Navy Ship Asbestos History 3
The shipyard at Norfolk, Virginia became infamous in asbestos litigation because: