⚓ U.S. Navy — Rating Exposure Profile
Interior Communications Electrician (IC) — Asbestos Exposure
Last updated July 11, 2026
Interior Communications Electricians maintained the telephone, announcing, gyrocompass, and electronic control systems throughout the ship. IC sailors ran wiring and equipment through every compartment — from the captain's bridge to the deepest engineering spaces — routinely working alongside and through asbestos-insulated structures.
Spaces & Work Areas
Interior Communications Electrician (IC) sailors regularly worked in:
- Gyro rooms
- IC rooms
- Bridge and CIC spaces
- Engineering spaces (wire runs)
- Throughout all compartments
How ICs Were Exposed
IC sailors drilled through asbestos-insulated bulkheads and decks to run wiring, disturbing asbestos in the process. Gyro rooms and IC switchboard spaces often had asbestos millboard panel backs. Older ships with asbestos-insulated wiring required ICs to strip and splice cable, releasing asbestos fiber from cable sheathing.
U.S. Navy ships built before approximately 1980 used asbestos-containing insulation, gaskets, and fireproofing materials throughout their engineering plants and throughout the ship. Sailors in the Interior Communications Electrician (IC) rating were among those most regularly in contact with these materials.
Ship Types Where ICs Served
Interior Communications Electrician (IC) sailors were assigned across multiple ship types. Asbestos was used throughout all of these vessel types during the pre-1980 construction era:
VA Claims & Legal Options
IC sailors have a broad exposure profile because their work crossed all ship compartments. Document the ship classes you served on and describe the IC work you performed in those spaces for both VA and trust fund claims.
Two Paths: VA Disability & Asbestos Trust Funds
- VA disability compensation — Monthly benefit for service-connected asbestos-related disease. Requires a diagnosis, evidence of in-service exposure (your rating and ship records), and a nexus statement linking the two.
- Asbestos trust fund claims — Lump-sum payments from bankruptcy trusts funded by asbestos product manufacturers. Requires identifying specific products used aboard your ship class. Multiple trusts may apply to a single claimant.
These paths are not mutually exclusive — many veterans pursue both.
Navy veterans overview › Free Legal Review ›
Asbestos.cam is an informational resource, not a law firm. The above is general information, not legal advice. Consult a qualified attorney for guidance on your specific situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Were Interior Communications Electricians exposed to asbestos in electrical work specifically?
Yes — IC sailors on older ships worked with asbestos-insulated wiring, drilled through asbestos-backed bulkheads, and maintained switchboard equipment backed with asbestos millboard. Their cross-ship duties meant exposure in engineering spaces (high general asbestos contamination) as well as in compartments with asbestos-specific electrical materials.
I was an IC sailor on submarines. Were the asbestos hazards different in submarines?
Yes — significantly worse. Submarine compartments have no natural ventilation during dives, meaning airborne fibers accumulated rather than dispersed. Asbestos insulation on submarines was used on the same propulsion and auxiliary systems, but in a sealed environment. IC sailors on submarines who disturbed insulation during wiring work were exposed to concentrated fiber clouds.