⚓ U.S. Navy — Asbestos Era
Navy Attack Submarines & Asbestos Exposure
Attack submarines present the most acute asbestos exposure environment of any ship type. The pressure hull creates a sealed, recirculated-air environment — when asbestos is disturbed during maintenance, fibers accumulate in the breathing air with nowhere to go. Engineering spaces on nuclear attack submarines were insulated with asbestos-containing pipe lagging, pump gaskets, and valve packing from the Nautilus (SSN-571, commissioned 1954) through submarines built into the 1970s.
Where Was Asbestos Found Aboard Attack Submarines?
- Reactor compartment and engine room — pipe insulation, pump gaskets, valve packing
- Auxiliary machinery spaces — turbine generator insulation
- Forward compartments — overhead insulation in some classes
- Ballast system pipe runs — asbestos tape and wrap at joints
- Electrical cable insulation on older boats — asbestos-braided wiring
All U.S. nuclear submarines serve in a sealed environment. The Nautilus through Sturgeon-class boats (commissioned 1967–1975) span the peak asbestos era. Early Los Angeles-class boats (SSN-688 commissioned 1976) may also contain asbestos in legacy systems installed during construction. Submariners have elevated mesothelioma rates compared to surface ship veterans.
Ratings Most at Risk
Veterans who served in the following ratings aboard attack submarines had regular access to areas where asbestos was present and were more likely to disturb asbestos-containing materials during normal duties.
If you served in one of these ratings, document it as part of any VA disability or asbestos trust fund claim. Your rating and the ship\'s construction era are two of the most important factors in establishing exposure.
Attack Submarines Classes
The table below lists all attack submarines classes in our database. Each class page includes the full roster of ships in that class. Class pages are being built out as part of Phase 2 — if a class page is not yet live, check back or use the Find Your Ship tool to locate your vessel.
| Class | Ships |
|---|---|
| Glenard P. Lipscomb SSN-685 | 1 |
| Halibut SSN-587 | 1 |
| Los Angeles SSN-688 | 39 |
| Nautilus SSN-571 | 1 |
| Permit SSN-594 | 14 |
| Seawolf SSN-575 | 1 |
| Skate SSN-578 | 4 |
| Skipjack SSN-585 | 6 |
| Sturgeon SSN-637 | 38 |
| Triton SSN-586 | 1 |
| Tullibee SSN-597 | 1 |
VA Benefits & Compensation for Attack Submarines Veterans
Veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, pleural plaques, or asbestos-related lung cancer who served aboard asbestos-era Navy attack submarines have two separate paths to compensation. These paths are not mutually exclusive — many veterans pursue both.
VA Disability Claims
The VA recognizes shipboard duty as a source of asbestos exposure. To file a disability claim, you will need:
- A current diagnosis of an asbestos-related disease from a physician
- Evidence of your service aboard an asbestos-era vessel (your DD-214, service records, or a buddy statement)
- A nexus opinion linking your diagnosis to your in-service exposure
Contact your regional VA office or a Veterans Service Organization (VSO) such as the DAV, VFW, or American Legion for no-cost assistance with claims.
Asbestos Trust Fund Claims
Separate from VA benefits, asbestos bankruptcy trust funds pay claims to veterans who can identify the manufacturers of the asbestos products they were exposed to. Over $30 billion has been set aside in these trusts. Identifying the ship, the class, and the specific products used aboard (such as Kaylo pipe insulation or Unibestos block insulation) is critical to a successful trust fund claim.
Note: Trust fund payment percentages change over time. Figures cited by attorneys should be verified against current fund schedules before filing.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Were all U.S. Navy attack submarines built with asbestos?
All attack submarines built before approximately 1975–1980 were constructed using asbestos-containing materials in their engineering plants. Asbestos was the standard fire-resistant insulation material for high-temperature steam piping, boiler systems, and machinery spaces throughout this era. Ships built after 1980 were increasingly built without asbestos, though some legacy asbestos may remain in systems installed earlier.
How do I find out which ship I served on and whether it had asbestos?
Use our Find Your Ship tool to search by ship name or hull number. Every ship in our database is from the asbestos era. Your service records (DD-214) list the ships you served aboard. For class-level asbestos-location information, see the class page once it is published, or contact a mesothelioma attorney who specializes in Navy claims — they maintain detailed product-identification databases.
What is the latency period for asbestos-related diseases in Navy veterans?
Asbestos-related diseases typically appear 20–50 years after initial exposure. A veteran who served aboard a destroyer in the 1960s may not receive a mesothelioma diagnosis until the 2000s or 2010s. This long latency period means many veterans are being diagnosed now who served decades ago. If you were diagnosed, the statute of limitations on legal claims typically runs from the date of diagnosis, not the date of exposure — but rules vary by state, so consult an attorney promptly.
Asbestos-Related Diseases
Pleural mesothelioma
Most common mesothelioma (~75% of cases); strongly asbestos-linked
Peritoneal mesothelioma
~2nd most common; linked to ingested fibers
Pericardial mesothelioma
Rare (~1% of cases)
Testicular mesothelioma
Very rare
Asbestos-related lung cancer
Risk multiplies sharply with smoking + asbestos
Asbestosis
Progressive scarring; causes shortness of breath; not reversible
Pleural plaques
Most common sign of exposure; marker, usually asymptomatic
Diffuse pleural thickening
Can restrict lung expansion and breathing
Pleural effusion
May be an early benign manifestation
Rounded atelectasis
Can mimic tumor on imaging; benign
Laryngeal cancer
IARC-recognized association with asbestos
Ovarian cancer
Associated with asbestos (incl. talc) exposure
COPD / chronic airway disease
Asbestos can contribute alongside other causes