Shipyard Workers and Mesothelioma: Is Asbestos A Risk in 21st Century Shipyards?
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is resistant to heat, resistance to electrical and chemical damage, has sound absorption properties and high tensile strength. This made it an excellent material for ship building. Asbestos was used throughout ships for a variety of applications throughout the 20th century. Use of asbestos in ships included:
Pipe covering
Wall, floor and ceiling insulation
Furnace and Boiler insulation
Gaskets and gasket coverings, turbines, and pumps
Cement products
Bricks
Liners
Instrument paneling
Floor and ceiling tiles
Cabling
Unfortunately, asbestos can also cause serious lung disease if the microscopic particles are inhaled. Repeated exposure to the fibrous particles can lead to asbestosis, lung cancer, esophageal cancer, gastrointestinal cancer, laryngeal cancer, pharyngeal cancer and mesothelioma.
In the late 1970's asbestos was banned for most ship building applications. However, this has not eliminated the risk of shipyard exposure to asbestos.
Many ships built before the ban are still in service. They may require repair or dismantling. So, shipyard workers, especially ship breakers, remain at risk for diseases caused by asbestos exposure.
Asbestos may still be used in the vanes of rotary vane air compressors and rotary vane vacuum pumps, in insulation and watertight joints in areas of high temperature and high pressure or where there is risk of fire, corrosion or toxicity, and in thermal insulation used in extremely high temperatures.
Before the 1970's little was known about the health risks of asbestos. Workers handled the fibers with bare hands and didn't bother with protective clothing. Even shipyard workers who did not work with asbestos came in contact with the fibers by interacting with those who did asbestos work.
Today, OSHA has rules regulating asbestos exposure in shipyards. These are listed in OSHA's Inspection Procedures for Occupational Exposure to Asbestos Final Rule 29 CFR Part 1915.1001. However, these rules came too late for many ship yard workers. Asbestos can cause mesothelioma even more than 50 years after exposure.
Modern shipyard workers, especially those involved in ship repair and ship wrecking, may still be exposed to the asbestos present in older ships. It is important that they take precautions when there is a possibility of asbestos exposure. Workers should wear head to toe protective clothing and use a high-energy particulate air respirator. If workers are not properly trained and do not have appropriate safety equipment, modern shipyard workers may still be at risk from asbestos exposure.
If you are shipyard worker, regular screenings by a doctor are the best way to protect your health. Pay close attention to any of the warning signs of mesothelioma, including: fluid in the lungs, chest pain, coughing, shortness of breath and fatigue.
If you are a shipyard worker and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis or cancer and believe you were exposed to asbestos, you have the right to file an asbestos exposure claim. To learn more about your legal options contact a maritime injury attorney.
To schedule a free consultation with a maritime injury attorney, contact The Young Firm at 866-938-6113.
