The USS Badoeng Strait (CVE-116) and asbestos aren’t usually thought of together. The ship’s proud history includes service in the Korean War. But those who built, served on, or maintained the ship may have been exposed to asbestos, a substance commonly used in ship-building at the time of the Badoeng Strait’s construction. Asbestos exposure decades…
The story of asbestos exposure on the USS Bagley is not what you hear in the news about this ship, but it’s a continuing threat today. Shipbuilders of the 20th century regularly included the material in many parts of the ship, so asbestos on Navy ships was common. Those who served or worked on the…
Asbestos on the USS Astoria may seem like history we don’t need to worry about today. Indeed, for the majority of the 20th century, asbestos in Navy ships was commonplace. Most vessels contained parts made with asbestos and the USS Astoria is no different. While the material was an excellent insulator and resistant to corrosion,…
Mesothelioma is an aggressive and dangerous form of cancer that affects 3,000 new patients each year. This rare form of cancer is caused primarily by asbestos exposure. Those who are at highest risk are people working in industrial, construction, and mining jobs due to their exposure to and inhalation of asbestos fibers. Because of this…
The world now knows the health hazard to sailors posed by the USS America and asbestos. That knowledge, though, was in the future when the aircraft carrier the USS America (CVA-66, CV-66) was ordered for the U.S. Navy on November 25, 1960. Her keel was laid down at Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company…