Mesothelioma Navy Navy Ship Asbestos History 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which Cold War-era Navy ship class is frequently mentioned in mesothelioma lawsuits due to its asbestos-laden propulsion systems?
- Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigates
- Forrest Sherman-class destroyers (Correct answer)
- Nimitz-class aircraft carriers
- Arleigh Burke-class destroyers
Correct answer: Forrest Sherman-class destroyers
Forrest Sherman-class destroyers built in the 1950s used heavy asbestos throughout their propulsion plants and were involved in numerous asbestos exposure claims.
Question 2: Asbestos insulation on Navy ship steam lines was typically applied in what form?
- Liquid spray only
- Pre-formed pipe sections and woven tape wrapped around pipes (Correct answer)
- Solid cast blocks bolted around pipes
- Painted coatings with suspended asbestos fibers
Correct answer: Pre-formed pipe sections and woven tape wrapped around pipes
Asbestos was applied to steam pipes as pre-formed insulation sections and woven tape, which could release fibers when disturbed or damaged.
Question 3: Many Navy veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma first learned of their asbestos exposure history through:
- Annual physical examinations during active duty
- Veterans Service Organizations and mesothelioma legal consultations (Correct answer)
- Mandatory asbestos training during boot camp
- Navy discharge paperwork listing exposure history
Correct answer: Veterans Service Organizations and mesothelioma legal consultations
Veterans Service Organizations and mesothelioma attorneys helped many veterans connect their illness to shipboard asbestos exposure decades after service.
Question 4: The practice of 'rip-out' work during Navy ship overhauls was especially hazardous because:
- Workers used faulty tools that caused accidents
- Removing old asbestos insulation released massive clouds of airborne fibers (Correct answer)
- Overhaul facilities lacked fire suppression systems
- Workers were required to remove materials without proper lighting
Correct answer: Removing old asbestos insulation released massive clouds of airborne fibers
Stripping old asbestos insulation during ship overhauls created intense, concentrated fiber clouds in confined shipyard spaces.
Question 5: Why did the U.S. Navy continue using asbestos in ships through the 1970s despite growing health evidence?
- The Navy was unaware of any health studies until the 1980s
- There were no effective fire-resistant alternatives available at the required scale, and regulatory transition was gradual (Correct answer)
- Asbestos use was mandated by Congress through the 1970s
- International naval treaties required asbestos use in warships
Correct answer: There were no effective fire-resistant alternatives available at the required scale, and regulatory transition was gradual
Transitioning away from asbestos required developing and qualifying replacement materials, a process that took years even as health risks became clearer.
Question 6: Which Navy rating was frequently exposed to asbestos through working with ship boilers and steam generation systems?
- Boatswain's Mates
- Boiler Technicians (Firemen) (Correct answer)
- Yeomen
- Signalmen
Correct answer: Boiler Technicians (Firemen)
Boiler Technicians operated and maintained the ship's boilers, which were heavily insulated with asbestos, creating chronic daily exposure.
Question 7: The term 'lag' in the context of Navy asbestos exposure refers to:
- The delay between asbestos exposure and disease diagnosis
- Asbestos pipe insulation material applied by laggers (insulators) (Correct answer)
- The time ships spent in dry dock for asbestos removal
- A Navy regulation delaying asbestos warnings
Correct answer: Asbestos pipe insulation material applied by laggers (insulators)
Lagging is the trade term for pipe insulation, and laggers were the workers who applied asbestos-containing insulation to ship pipes and equipment.
Mesothelioma Navy Navy Ship Asbestos History 4
Which Cold War-era Navy ship class is frequently mentioned in mesothelioma lawsuits due to its asbestos-laden propulsion systems?