Aircraft Carriers and Asbestos

Aircraft carriers have been used by the U.S. Navy since the early 1900s. The military once constructed carriers with asbestos materials. This placed many people at risk for life-threatening diseases, such as malignant mesothelioma.

If you or a loved one have mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis, you may be eligible for a large amount of compensation. Fill out our form to receive our free Financial Compensation Packet. Our packet is loaded with information on experienced mesothelioma attorneys in your area, how to file a claim for asbestos trust funds, how to get paid in 90 days, and more.

About Aircraft Carriers

The first experimental aircraft carrier was created in 1910 from the deck of the USS Birmingham cruiser. It was built right before World War II when they played important roles for the military.

After the success of using aircraft carriers during World War II, the U.S. Navy began creating different types of vessels that would go on to serve significant roles in the Cold War, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.

Different types of aircraft carriers constructed include:

• CVA (attack carrier)
• CVL (light aircraft carrier)
• CVAN (nuclear-powered attack carrier)
• CVS (anti-submarine warfare carrier)
• CVT (training aircraft carriers)
• CVB  (large aircraft carrier)
• CV (generic aircraft carrier)
• CVHA (helicopter assault aircraft carrier)
• CVHE (helicopter escort aircraft carrier)

Some examples of military aircraft carriers include:

• USS Kitty Hawk
• USS America
• USS John F. Kennedy
• USS Enterprise
• USS Constellation
• USS Ranger
• USS Independence

A total of 10 aircraft supercarriers are still in commission in the United States today.

Aircraft Carriers and Asbestos Use

According to numerous documents, purchase orders, and military repair logs, there was a heavy presence of asbestos while building aircraft vessels and during repair work. This continued throughout the 1960s before the military replaced the toxic mineral.

Gaskets, in particular, were coated heavily with asbestos. Gaskets were used in the aircraft carriers’ feed pumps, condensate pumps, and tube sheet exchangers.

Further, asbestos was used on vessel floor tiles, casing panels, boilers, insulation, piping, in laundry rooms, in work rags, panels, and more.

Asbestos was a prized set of minerals in aircraft carriers due to its ability to withstand heat and fire while vessels were out to sea. Fires aboard war vessels were common in the past.

The military saw asbestos as a way to prevent more fires and also as an affordable and easy option. Asbestos manufacturers created asbestos-containing materials in abundance at a relatively low price.

In turn, many people who constructed aircraft vessels, repaired them, or worked aboard them have developed illnesses, including malignant mesothelioma, asbestosis, and asbestos-related lung cancer.

People who worked on the repair and maintenance of aircraft carriers are at the highest risk of developing an asbestos-related illness, as airborne asbestos fibers permeated through the air as the workers took parts apart and replaced them.

If you served on an aircraft carrier or worked in shipyards, you may be at risk for asbestos illnesses. Contact an experienced mesothelioma lawyer to find out your legal rights and how to seek compensation.

Additional Help and Resources

Remember to fill out our form to get your free Financial Compensation Packet, with information on experienced asbestos and mesothelioma lawyers in your area. For additional assistance, contact us at 800-793-4540.