Mesothelioma Causes: Shipyards Carry High Risk for Asbestos Exposure
The naturally occurring mineral asbestos was heavily utilized throughout much of the 20th century for its insulating and fireproofing capabilities. Because of these qualities, asbestos was incorporated into nearly all naval vessels from the World War II era and into the 1980s.
Unfortunately, the side effects of asbestos exposure has affected thousands of past shipyard workers as well as crew members, leaving many with the development of lung cancer, asbestosis or malignant mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer almost exclusively caused by asbestos exposure. Many shipyard employees have either passed away or have been diagnosed with the disease and more are expected as the latency period associated with mesothelioma can range from 20 to 50 years.
Diagnosing this cancer is particularly difficult, as symptoms often resemble those of more common illnesses. In many cases, patients are diagnosed at a time when the cancer has already reached the latest stages of development, leaving them with limited treatment options.
Some of the ships that were commonly built with asbestos-containing materials include battleships, aircraft carriers, cruisers, destroyers, submarines and auxillary vessels. Areas and materials that usually contained the hazardous mineral were boiler rooms, sleeping quarters, pipes and parts that needed to be insulated.
When these ships returned home for overhauls and maintenance periods, the hundreds of thousands of shipyard workers employed throughout the country were likely exposed to asbestos during these times. Those who experienced the highest level of exposure included welders, painters, machinists and boiler room workers.
The majority of shipyard workers did not have access to proper preventative gear to protect them from exposure. In fact, most were completely unaware that exposure to asbestos carried any risk at all.
Today, the Environmental Protection Agency enforces strict regulations concerning asbestos exposure and the handling of asbestos-containing materials.
Additional information about mesothelioma and asbestos exposure may be found through the Mesothelioma Center.
