Philadelphia Naval Shipyard

A significant number of Philadelphia Naval Shipyard workers are at risk for the dangerous health consequences of prolonged and continuous exposure to asbestos. Among those at risk are the hundreds of thousands of Philadelphia Naval Shipyard workers who built ships, worked on ships, and worked as longshoreman between World War II and the 1980s.

Wartime Production

Established in 1799, the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard is considered one of the oldest, greatest, and most important shipbuilding yards in the United States. With over 900 acres of land, the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard was a prime site for the construction of war ships during both major World Wars.

At the height of its wartime production, the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard employed nearly 50,000 employees responsible for building, repairing, and manning hundreds of major war crafts. The Philadelphia Naval Shipyard was responsible for producing the majority of destroyers and carriers for the US Navy armada.

Post-War Era

During the post-war era, the numbers of people working in, on, or around ships at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard didn't dwindle. In fact, many of the troops who worked there during wartime stayed on to carry out military and commercial work in shipbuilding and repair.

Asbestos at the Shipyard

Asbestos was used in many operations at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard. As an insulator, asbestos was used in steam pipes, hot water pipes, boilers, and incinerators. An excellent acoustic material, asbestos was used extensively in ships (especially submarines) to make them silent movers. As a flame-retardant, asbestos was used to fireproof ships.

Workers Exposed to Asbestos

Unfortunately, many of these dedicated Philadelphia Naval Shipyard workers were unknowingly exposed to asbestos, which can lead to serious adverse health effects including mesothelioma, a serious and deadly form of cancer.

Before the risks of asbestos exposure were understood, asbestos was used in countless shipbuilding and repairing operations. Thus, virtually every person who was working at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard prior to the 1980s (when the risks became known) were exposed to unsafe levels of asbestos.

Mesothelioma & Other Illnesses

Many of the serious diseases that are caused by asbestos exposure can take years or even decades to become symptomatic. That means that people who worked at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard decades ago could potentially develop symptoms of an asbestos related disease today.

Mesothelioma, a cancer that effects the lining of the heart, stomach, and lungs, is one such disease that former Philadelphia Naval Shipyard workers might have developed due to shipyard asbestos exposure.

Did you work at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard?

If you or a loved one worked at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard and developed an asbestos-related disease, contact us today. We are dedicated to helping Philadelphia Naval Shipyard workers receive the help they need.