⚓ Portsmouth, VA — Naval Shipyard
Norfolk Naval Shipyard — Asbestos Exposure
Last updated July 11, 2026
Norfolk Naval Shipyard — located in Portsmouth, Virginia, despite the name — is the largest and oldest naval shipyard in the United States, in continuous operation since 1767. Thousands of ships were built, repaired, and overhauled here using asbestos insulation throughout the pre-1980 era. It remains one of the busiest naval repair facilities in the world.
Asbestos at Norfolk Naval Shipyard
Asbestos was the standard insulation material in U.S. naval shipbuilding and overhaul from the 1930s through approximately 1980. At Norfolk Naval Shipyard, 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: Insulation, gaskets, pipe lagging.
Ships Built or Overhauled Here
Major East Coast overhaul facility for carriers, battleships, cruisers, destroyers, and submarines throughout WWII and the Cold War.
At-Risk Trades at Norfolk Naval Shipyard
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 Norfolk Naval Shipyard 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.
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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 Norfolk Naval Shipyard?
Yes. Asbestos was the standard insulation material in U.S. naval shipbuilding and repair from the 1930s through approximately 1980. Workers at Norfolk Naval Shipyard — 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 Norfolk Naval Shipyard?
Trades with the most direct asbestos contact included insulators, pipefitters, boilermakers, shipfitters, and welders. At Norfolk Naval Shipyard, primary exposed trades included: Insulators, pipefitters, boilermakers. Other trades — painters, electricians, carpenters — were secondarily exposed through working in spaces where insulation was disturbed.
Can former Norfolk Naval Shipyard 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.