⚓ Seattle, WA — Commercial Shipyard
Todd Pacific Shipyards — Asbestos Exposure
Last updated July 11, 2026
Todd Shipyards operated facilities in Seattle and other locations, repairing and building naval vessels through the Cold War era. Seattle's Todd Pacific yard built and repaired destroyers, minesweepers, and other naval craft. Workers at Todd facilities were exposed to asbestos from shipboard insulation during build and repair work. Todd Shipyards is among the companies covered by asbestos litigation and trust funds.
Asbestos at Todd Pacific Shipyards
Asbestos was the standard insulation material in U.S. naval shipbuilding and overhaul from the 1930s through approximately 1980. At Todd Pacific Shipyards, 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: Ship insulation, gaskets, repair dust.
Ships Built or Overhauled Here
Repaired and built destroyers, minesweepers, and auxiliary vessels for the U.S. Navy.
At-Risk Trades at Todd Pacific Shipyards
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 Todd Pacific Shipyards 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 Todd Pacific Shipyards?
Yes. Asbestos was the standard insulation material in U.S. naval shipbuilding and repair from the 1930s through approximately 1980. Workers at Todd Pacific Shipyards — 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 Todd Pacific Shipyards?
Trades with the most direct asbestos contact included insulators, pipefitters, boilermakers, shipfitters, and welders. At Todd Pacific Shipyards, primary exposed trades included: Shipyard trades. Other trades — painters, electricians, carpenters — were secondarily exposed through working in spaces where insulation was disturbed.
Can former Todd Pacific Shipyards 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.