Asbestos on Submarines

Did the U.S. Navy Use Asbestos in Submarines?

Yes, the United States Navy relied on asbestos in submarines for a good part of the 20th century. The Navy used asbestos to make the submarines fireproof, insulate them, and protect them from saltwater.

The military and the public were unaware of the dangers of this mineral as asbestos product manufacturers covered them up for decades.

When asbestos products are damaged during construction or repairs, they can release microscopic fibers.

If you’re a veteran with mesothelioma from service-related asbestos exposure, you can file for medical and financial benefits with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). You can also pursue legal claims to get even more compensation.

Download our Free Veterans Compensation Guide for more details on how to file for VA benefits and financial compensation.

Is your boat listed above? You may have been exposed to asbestos during your service, but we can help. Call our team now at (866) 608-8933 to learn what you can do next — from getting a diagnosis to filing for VA benefits.

Who Was Put in Danger by Asbestos on Submarines?

Anyone stationed on Navy submarines from 1922 to the early 1980s could have been exposed to asbestos.

Because these naval vessels had poor ventilation, submariners could have easily swallowed or breathed in airborne asbestos fibers.

This includes veterans who served during these wars:

• World War II (1941-1945)
• Korean War (1950-1953)
• Vietnam War (1964-1975)
• Cold War (1945-1991)

The cramped quarters on submarines meant that microscopic asbestos fibers were released regularly as sailors bumped into the ship’s walls and walked the same stretches of flooring every day.

“Once asbestos fibers are disturbed and/or released into the environment, they can continuously be re-entrained into the air in confined spaces until they are removed or contained.”
– International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, “Sailors and the Risk of Asbestos-Related Cancer,” 2021

Navy sailors who were put in direct risk of asbestos exposure include:

• Boiler room workers
• Carpenters
• Electricians
• Insulators
• Mechanics
• Pipefitters
• Plumbers
• Welders

Families were also put at risk if they came into contact with asbestos fibers on their loved ones’ uniforms, tools, or equipment. This is called secondhand asbestos exposure.

Shipyard Workers and Asbestos on Submarines

An estimated 4.5 million people worked in shipyards during World War II, many of whom spent time working on Navy submarines.

Shipyard workers who helped build, repair, or demolish U.S. Navy submarines are also at high risk of developing mesothelioma and other cancers.

“In some cases, asbestos-induced changes in the lung were detected in the X-rays of over 50% of the shipyard workforce.”
– Dr. Richard A. Lemen, former U.S. Assistant Surgeon General

Financial help is available if you were exposed to asbestos on Navy submarines at sea or in shipyards. Download our Free Veterans Compensation Guide to see what you may be eligible for.

Asbestos Products on Navy Submarines

Several asbestos-containing products were used on Navy submarines for much of the 20th century. Sailors and shipyard workers handled these products nearly every day.

Asbestos products that could be found on submarines include:

• Boiler lining
• Fireproofing materials
• Gaskets
• Insulation
• Pipes
• Sealants and paint
• Tape and adhesives
• Valves

Asbestos was also used in some Navy sailors’ protective equipment. For example, fireproof asbestos clothing and gloves were vital for those in boiler rooms, engine rooms, and other high-temperature areas.

Sadly, the Navy’s use of asbestos materials to build and repair submarines put millions of service members and their families at risk of mesothelioma and other serious diseases.

In fact, one-third of all mesothelioma cases can be linked back to Navy service or shipyard work.

History of Asbestos in Submarines

In 1922, the U.S. Navy listed asbestos as a required building material for new submarines, specifically in tape, packing, gaskets, and insulation. Its lightweight, heat-resistant, and anti-corrosive nature made it an asset for these small, cramped vessels.

With the start of World War II in 1939, the Navy began stockpiling asbestos for the war effort and used it in every submarine.

Many classifications of submarines relied on asbestos, including:

• Attack submarines (SSK)
• Auxiliary submarines (AGSS)
• Ballistic missile submarines (SSBN)
• Conventional propulsion submarines (SS)
• Fleet submarines (SF)
• Guided missile submarines (SSGN)
• Minelayer submarines (SM)
• Nuclear-powered submarines (SSN)
• Radar picket submarines (SSR)

Today, Navy submarines are constructed using safer materials and methods to protect the health and well-being of their crews.

Compensation & Benefits for Veterans Exposed to Asbestos

Any Navy veteran who served or worked on a submarine before the early 1980s was put at risk of developing asbestos-related illnesses and could be eligible for VA benefits and financial compensation.

Learn more about compensation and benefits for veterans with mesothelioma below.

VA Benefits

VA benefits for mesothelioma include monthly disability payouts, access to free or affordable treatment through the VA health care system, and financial compensation to the immediate family of affected veterans.

Additional VA benefits are available for Navy veterans who have dependent children or require a full-time caregiver’s help.

Asbestos Trust Funds

Asbestos trust funds are established by manufacturers of asbestos-containing products who file for bankruptcy or go out of business to avoid being sued.

If you were exposed to asbestos on submarines while serving in the Navy, you may be able to file claims with multiple trusts. More than $30 billion is available across 60+ active asbestos trust funds as of 2025.

Our legal partners can help you access some of this money and file trust fund claims on your behalf. See if you qualify right now.

Mesothelioma Lawsuits

Legal claims are filed against the companies that manufactured asbestos products and supplied them to the U.S. Navy.

Nearly all mesothelioma lawsuits are settled out of court, with victims and their families receiving between $1 million and $1.4 million on average.

Notable mesothelioma Navy settlements include:

• $6.66 million for a U.S. Navy electronics technician in Texas
• $2.8 million to the family of a Texas woman who died from mesothelioma and whose father worked as a carpenter on Navy submarines
• $1.93 million for a Connecticut Navy veteran who served on the USS Will Rogers
• $1.63 million for a Massachusetts U.S. Navy veteran with pleural mesothelioma who served as an engine room operator and fireman on the USS Skate

You can still receive VA benefits while pursuing a mesothelioma lawsuit, and no legal action is taken against the military.

We Can Help Veterans Exposed to Asbestos on Submarines

U.S. Navy veterans who served before the 1980s may have been exposed to asbestos on submarines. This puts them at an increased risk of developing serious illnesses like mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma Hope is committed to helping U.S. veterans with mesothelioma get VA benefits, medical care, and financial compensation after a diagnosis.

Your service to the nation is deeply appreciated, and we’re here to ensure you receive the support you deserve.

Call (866) 608-8933 now or download your Free Veterans Compensation Guide to get started.