01. Asbestos Risk
How Are Merchant Mariners Exposed to Asbestos?
Throughout the 20th century, the Merchant Marines transported goods and cargo by ship. Asbestos use on these ships put Merchant Mariners at risk of exposure for decades.
Before the 1980s, asbestos was frequently used in ship construction. The mineral helped prevent fire and chemical hazards at sea. Asbestos-containing materials were commonly added to high-heat and high-pressure equipment. These materials also put Merchant Mariners at risk for asbestos exposure and associated health issues.
While at sea, Merchant Mariners were responsible for maintaining and repairing asbestos materials and equipment. These activities can disturb asbestos fibers, releasing them into the air. During these tasks, poor onboard ventilation may have put mariners at high risk of inhaling asbestos fibers.
Exposure to asbestos carries serious health risks. Inhaling or ingesting asbestos fibers can cause an asbestos-related disease like mesothelioma.
What Asbestos Products Put Merchant Mariners at Risk?
On U.S. merchant ships, asbestos machinery and equipment were commonplace. Merchant Mariners may have come in contact with a variety of these products. Typical maintenance work commonly released asbestos fibers, leading to exposure.
As a result, Merchant Mariners may have been exposed to asbestos from:
- Air compressors
- Brake linings
- Fuel oil burners
- Gaskets
- Insulation
- Joint compound
- Lagging
- Steam pipes
- Turbines
- Valves
These products were manufactured and sold by asbestos companies. Several also supplied asbestos shipbuilding materials to the military.
Laws and regulations now restrict asbestos use on Merchant Marine ships. However, the mineral may still be found in older equipment and on boats. Merchant Mariners face ongoing asbestos exposure risks from these materials.
Common Places Merchant Mariners May Find Asbestos
Merchant Mariners may have experienced asbestos exposure in many places aboard ships. Ship locations that often led to exposure for Merchant Mariners include:
- Boiler rooms
- Engine rooms
- Mess halls
- Sleeping quarters
Many repairs of asbestos-containing products took place in the engine and boiler rooms. Poor ventilation of asbestos-contaminated areas can lead to higher levels of exposure for those working in or near these areas. Increasing contact with asbestos fibers can heighten a person’s risk of developing related cancers.
World War II Asbestos Exposure Risk
World War II (WWII) was one of the highest periods for Merchant Mariners’ exposure to asbestos. Veterans who served during this war are among the most at risk of developing mesothelioma.
Merchant marine ships in the WWII fleet include*:
- S.S. Alcoa Cavalier
- S.S. Bay State
- S.S. Berkeley Victory
- S.S. Blue Grass State
- S.S. Borinquen
- S.S. Buckeye State
- S.S. Burco Trader
- S.S. C.H.M. Jones
- S.S. Cilco Logger
- S.S. Del Mar
- S.S. Empire
- S.S. Mormacsea
- S.S. Socony 10
- S.S. Spencer Kellogg
- S.S. Stonewall Jackson
*This is not an exhaustive list. Merchant Mariners should speak with an asbestos attorney to see if their ship(s) contained asbestos materials.
Aboard these ships, a variety of crew members may have experienced exposure. Merchant Mariners working both above and below deck were at risk.
Merchant Mariners and At-Risk Trades
Because so many ships used asbestos, related occupations were also at risk for asbestos exposure. This includes construction jobs that worked with similar machinery.
At-risk trades in the maritime industry include:
- Boiler workers
- Carpenters
- Caulkers
- Crane operators
- Electricians
- Engineers
- Engine fitters
- Foremen
- Heavy equipment operators
- Insulators
- Laggers
- Machinists
- Marine veterans
- Mechanics
- Navy veterans
- Oilers
- Pipe coverers
- Plumbers
- Sheet metal workers
- Shipwrights
- Shipyard workers
- Welders
02. Mesothelioma Risk
Mesothelioma Risk for Merchant Mariners
Merchant Mariners who worked on ships that contained asbestos are at risk of developing mesothelioma. One study found Merchant Mariners in the engine room were among the most affected by asbestos.
In the study, researchers reviewed imaging scans from 3,324 Merchant Mariners. The scans showed:
- More than 40% of those working in the engine room had lung abnormalities.
- 35% of all Merchant Mariners in the study had lung abnormalities.
The study does not directly link these abnormalities to pleural mesothelioma. But they do signal asbestos exposure, which can cause mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma develops in the lining around the lungs and is the most common form of the cancer.
Mesothelioma usually takes years to develop. Individuals who experienced exposure decades ago can still be diagnosed with mesothelioma today.
Merchant Mariners with a history of occupational asbestos exposure should seek medical attention. An early mesothelioma diagnosis may give patients more treatment options.
03. Compensation
Compensation for Merchant Mariners With Occupational Asbestos Exposure
If occupational asbestos exposure led to an illness, Merchant Mariners may be eligible for compensation. Merchant Mariners can pursue compensation by filing an asbestos lawsuit or mesothelioma claim.
After facing many lawsuits, some companies established asbestos trust funds. Asbestos victims who successfully file asbestos trust fund claims may receive payouts.
Merchant Mariners diagnosed with an asbestos disease should contact an asbestos law firm. These law firms specialize in mesothelioma and asbestos cases.
VA Benefits for WWII-Era Merchant Mariners
Merchant Mariners who served during WWII may be eligible for United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits. Filing a VA claim can provide veterans and their families with compensation to help with treatment and other costs.
A mesothelioma lawyer can file lawsuits on behalf of Merchant Mariners and discuss their best legal options.
