⚓ Newport News, VA — Naval Shipyard
Newport News Shipbuilding — Asbestos Exposure
Last updated July 11, 2026
Newport News Shipbuilding in Virginia is the largest private shipbuilder in the United States and the only U.S. facility capable of building nuclear-powered aircraft carriers. It has been the primary builder of U.S. Navy carriers and submarines for decades. Asbestos was used extensively in pre-1980 construction, and the shipyard was the subject of major asbestos litigation involving insulators, pipefitters, and other trades.
Asbestos at Newport News Shipbuilding
Asbestos was the standard insulation material in U.S. naval shipbuilding and overhaul from the 1930s through approximately 1980. At Newport News Shipbuilding, asbestos-containing materials were used in:
- Pipe lagging and block insulation in boiler rooms and engine rooms
- Gaskets at pipe flanges throughout engineering plants
- Valve stem packing and pump seals
- Turbine casing insulation and expansion joints
- Fireproofing compounds on bulkheads and decking
Specific exposure pathways at this facility included: Carrier/submarine insulation & gaskets.
Ships Built or Overhauled Here
Builder of nuclear carriers including USS Enterprise (CVN-65), USS Nimitz (CVN-68); also builds nuclear submarines.
At-Risk Trades at Newport News Shipbuilding
Shipyard trades with the most direct asbestos exposure included:
Other trades — painters, carpenters, electricians, riggers — experienced secondary exposure from working in spaces where insulation was being applied or disturbed.
Who Can File an Asbestos Claim
Both civilian shipyard workers and military veterans who were exposed at Newport News Shipbuilding may be eligible for compensation:
- Civilian shipyard workers — Asbestos trust fund claims against manufacturers of asbestos products used at the facility. Products included Johns-Manville pipe covering, Pittsburgh Corning block insulation, Flexitallic gaskets, and others. Multiple trusts may apply.
- Navy veterans — Sailors aboard ships during refit or overhaul were exposed identically to civilian workers. VA disability compensation is available for veterans with service-connected asbestos-related disease, with no need to identify specific products.
Statutes of limitations apply to asbestos claims. If you or a family member has received a diagnosis, consult a specialist promptly.
Navy veterans overview › Free Case Review ›
Asbestos.cam is an informational resource, not a law firm. The above is general information, not legal advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was asbestos used at Newport News Shipbuilding?
Yes. Asbestos was the standard insulation material in U.S. naval shipbuilding and repair from the 1930s through approximately 1980. Workers at Newport News Shipbuilding — and sailors aboard ships during refit — were exposed to asbestos from pipe lagging, boiler block insulation, gaskets, valve packing, and fireproofing materials applied throughout ship engineering spaces.
What trades were most at risk at Newport News Shipbuilding?
Trades with the most direct asbestos contact included insulators, pipefitters, boilermakers, shipfitters, and welders. At Newport News Shipbuilding, primary exposed trades included: Insulators, pipefitters, welders. Other trades — painters, electricians, carpenters — were secondarily exposed through working in spaces where insulation was disturbed.
Can former Newport News Shipbuilding workers file asbestos claims?
Yes. Former shipyard workers diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, pleural plaques, or asbestos-related lung cancer can pursue asbestos trust fund claims against manufacturers of products used at the yard, and may also be eligible for VA disability if they served in the military. These two paths are independent and not mutually exclusive.