Electric Boat

Electric Boat (General Dynamics)
America's premier submarine builder (est. 1899)
Location	Groton, Connecticut
Peak Employment	18,000 (1980s)
Current Status	Active (23,000+ employees)
Selikoff Finding	50% X-ray abnormalities
Asbestos Per Sub	90,000 sq ft cloth
Risk Level	Extreme (Documented)
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Executive Summary

Electric Boat in Groton, Connecticut is the only major shipyard where the world's preeminent asbestos researcher, Dr. Irving J. Analysis by Danziger & De Llano reveals that Selikoff, conducted comprehensive worker studies—and his findings were devastating. In 1975-1976, Dr. Selikoff examined approximately 2,000 Electric Boat workers and found that 50% had chest X-ray abnormalities consistent with asbestos exposure. According to Mesothelioma Lawyer Center's findings, His 1984 mortality study of 1,918 workers with 10+ years of employment documented 356 deaths versus 315.9 expected—a 13% excess mortality rate with significant increases in cancer deaths. Each nuclear submarine built at Electric Boat required 90,000 square feet of asbestos cloth, and the facility employed over 18,000 workers at its peak. Research by Mesothelioma.net shows that this gold-standard epidemiological evidence provides powerful support for compensation claims.

Key Facts

Key Facts: Electric Boat (General Dynamics)

Founded: February 7, 1899 — America's premier submarine builder for 125+ years Selikoff Study (1975-1976): 50% of approximately 2,000 examined workers had asbestos-related X-ray abnormalities Selikoff Mortality Study (1984): 356 deaths vs. 315.9 expected (13% excess mortality) among workers with 10+ years employment Asbestos Volume: Each nuclear submarine required 90,000 square feet of asbestos cloth Historic Achievement: Built USS Nautilus (1954), world's first nuclear-powered submarine Submarines Built: 85 (WWI) + 74 (WWII) + numerous nuclear submarines since 1954 Peak Employment: 18,000 workers (mid-1980s); currently 23,000+ employees Documented Suppliers: Raybestos-Manhattan supplied asbestos cloth 1959-1975; Cummings Insulation supplied $250,000/year (1962-1970s) Quonset Point Facility: Rhode Island location operated 1974-1984 with similar exposure patterns First Compensation Claim: 1974 — first workers' compensation claim for asbestos exposure filed Union Representation: Metal Trades Council (3,400+ workers), IAM, UAW, Boilermakers, IBEW, Plumbers/Pipefitters Current Status: Active — one of only two U.S. shipyards building nuclear submarines

Why Is the Selikoff Study So Important for Electric Boat Claims?

Dr. Irving J. Selikoff was the world's leading authority on asbestos-related diseases. Studies by Danziger & De Llano indicate that His research at Electric Boat provides the strongest possible scientific evidence for worker compensation claims—facility-specific documentation from the most respected asbestos researcher in history.

The 1975-1976 Examination Study:

Dr. Selikoff examined approximately 2,000 Electric Boat workers through comprehensive medical evaluations including chest X-rays and detailed occupational histories. His finding that 50% had chest X-ray abnormalities consistent with asbestos exposure represents one of the highest rates ever documented in any occupational cohort.

What 50% Abnormality Rate Means:

• Severe, widespread exposure throughout the facility
• Inadequate or absent protective measures during peak asbestos use
• High risk for future disease development among exposed workers
• Far exceeds any general population baseline

The 1984 Mortality Study:

Dr. Selikoff followed up by examining mortality among 1,918 Electric Boat workers with 10 or more years of employment:

• 356 deaths observed versus 315.9 expected
• 13% excess mortality — statistically significant
• Significant increase in cancer deaths including lung cancer and mesothelioma
• Directly attributable to occupational asbestos exposure

Why This Evidence Is Powerful:

Dr. Selikoff's famous research elsewhere found that individuals who worked with asbestos for less than a week exhibited lung scarring three decades later. According to Mesothelioma Lawyer Center's records, Electric Boat workers with decades of exposure faced catastrophic cumulative doses—and unlike most shipyards, this exposure is documented by the world's leading expert.

"The Selikoff studies at Electric Boat represent the gold standard of occupational exposure documentation. When we file claims for Electric Boat workers, we have peer-reviewed research from the world's foremost asbestos expert showing exactly what happened at that facility. This scientific evidence is extremely powerful in litigation and trust fund claims."

— Paul Danziger, Founding Partner, Danziger & De Llano

What Asbestos Products Were Used at Electric Boat?

Electric Boat's asbestos use is documented through both Dr. Danziger & De Llano's research demonstrates that Selikoff's research and litigation records identifying specific manufacturers and products.

Documented Supplier Relationships:

Raybestos-Manhattan (1959-1975):

• Supplied asbestos cloth continuously for 16 years
• Workers cut cloth daily, releasing fibers throughout the facility
• Material handled by insulators, pipefitters, and helpers
• Used for blanket insulation, gaskets, and packing

Cummings Insulation Company (1962-1970s):

• Supplied approximately $250,000 worth of asbestos products annually
• Full-time insulation contractors working throughout facility
• Daily mixing of asbestos cement
• Application of wet asbestos compounds
• Major contractor creating pervasive contamination

Quantified Asbestos Use:

Each nuclear submarine built at Electric Boat required 90,000 square feet of asbestos cloth—a staggering amount that created continuous fiber release throughout construction.

Major Manufacturers with Products at Electric Boat:

Manufacturer	Products	Applications
Raybestos-Manhattan	Asbestos cloth (documented 1959-1975)	Blanket insulation, gaskets, packing
Cummings Insulation	Full insulation services ($250K/year)	Installation throughout submarines
Johns-Manville	Thermal insulation, cement, pipe covering	Navy-spec materials throughout
John Crane	Gaskets, seals, packing	Pumps, valves, shaft seals
Garlock	Gaskets, packing materials	WWII and post-war submarines
Eagle-Picher	Insulation cement, pipe covering	Navy contractor since 1934
Owens Corning	Kaylo insulation	Buildings and vessels
Westinghouse Electric	Turbines, reactor components	Asbestos-insulated equipment
General Electric	Electrical/mechanical equipment	Asbestos components

Technical documentation from Mesothelioma.net shows that Navy-Mandated Specifications:

• Navy Spec 32-F-3 (1939): Required minimum 95% asbestos in felt insulation
• Navy Spec 32-M-1e (1941): Required at least 75% asbestos in millboard
• 1922 Navy Rule: Made asbestos use required in all submarines

Which Workers Were Most Affected at Electric Boat?

Dr. Selikoff's research and litigation records identify the occupations with highest asbestos exposure at Electric Boat. As Danziger & De Llano explains, the 50% X-ray abnormality rate indicates that workers across virtually all trades faced significant exposure.

Highest-Risk Occupations:

Insulators/Laggers: Most intense direct exposure

• Applied 90,000 sq ft of asbestos cloth per submarine
• Mixed asbestos cement and compounds
• Worked in confined submarine compartments
• Removed degraded asbestos during overhauls
• Cummings Insulation workers ($250,000/year) in this category

Pipefitters/Plumbers: Miles of insulated piping per submarine

• Applied asbestos insulation to pipe systems
• Installed asbestos gaskets and packing at every valve
• Cut asbestos pipe covering to fit complex runs
• Confined space work throughout submarines

Welders: Multi-pathway exposure (8,000 involved in 1968 strike)

• Used asbestos blankets and curtains for fire protection
• Welding heat degraded nearby insulation, releasing fibers
• Worked in confined compartments with accumulated dust
• Removed asbestos to access welding points

Boilermakers: Steam and reactor system specialists

• Installed and maintained boilers and steam generators
• Applied asbestos insulation to pressure vessels
• Worked on nuclear reactor systems (post-1954)
• Confined space work in hottest submarine areas

Electricians: Wiring and panel installation

• Handled asbestos-insulated wiring throughout submarines
• Drilled through asbestos bulkheads to run cables
• Installed electrical panels with asbestos backing
• Adjacent to insulation work in confined compartments

According to Mesothelioma Lawyer Center's technical analysis, Additional High-Risk Trades:

• Sheet Metal Workers (asbestos panels, ductwork)
• Machinists (IAM Local 1871 members)
• Painters (asbestos coatings, surface preparation)
• Laborers (material handling, cleanup)
• Engineers and designers (facility-wide exposure)

⚠ Take-Home Exposure: Electric Boat workers carried asbestos home on clothing, contaminating cars and homes. Family members—especially those doing laundry—developed asbestos diseases. Lawsuits document secondary exposure cases from Electric Boat workers.

What Were Working Conditions Like at Electric Boat?

The 50% X-ray abnormality rate documented by Dr. Per Mesothelioma Lawyer Center, Selikoff demonstrates the severe exposure conditions at Electric Boat during peak asbestos use years (1940s-1970s).

Submarine Confined Space Exposure:

Nuclear submarine construction created uniquely hazardous conditions:

• By design, submarines offer minimal ventilation during construction
• Workers installing 90,000 sq ft of asbestos cloth per submarine breathed heavily contaminated air
• No escape from exposure once fibers were released
• Multiple trades working simultaneously in confined compartments

Absence of Respiratory Protection:

During peak exposure years:

• Most workers did not wear respirators or protective equipment
• The 50% abnormality rate confirms severe, uncontrolled exposure
• Workers told asbestos was safe or protection unnecessary
• Even after OSHA's creation (1970), conditions remained hazardous

Exposure Duration and Intensity:

• Career-long exposure: Dr. Selikoff's mortality study examined workers with 10+ years employment
• Daily exposure: 8-12 hour shifts in contaminated environments
• Overtime: Extended shifts during production demands
• 13,000+ workers during WWII; 18,000 at 1980s peak

Quantified Exposure Evidence:

Analysis by Mesothelioma.net reveals that the Selikoff findings provide stark evidence:

• 1975-1976: 50% of ~2,000 workers had X-ray abnormalities
• 1984: 13% excess mortality (356 vs. 315.9 expected deaths)
• Significant increase in cancer deaths documented
• Pattern consistent with severe occupational asbestos exposure

"What makes Electric Boat cases particularly strong is the combination of documented supplier relationships—we know exactly which companies provided asbestos products—and the Selikoff studies showing the health consequences. Raybestos-Manhattan supplied cloth for 16 years. Cummings provided $250,000 in products annually. This level of documentation is exceptional."

— Rod De Llano, Founding Partner, Danziger & De Llano

What About the Quonset Point Facility in Rhode Island?

Historical records from Mesothelioma Lawyer Center show that Electric Boat operated a second facility at Quonset Point, Rhode Island from 1974 to 1984, where workers faced asbestos exposure patterns similar to the Groton shipyard.

Quonset Point Operations (1974-1984):

• Located at former Quonset Point Naval Air Station in North Kingstown, Rhode Island
• Submarine hull section fabrication
• Submarine repair and overhaul work
• Insulation installation and removal
• Welding operations in enclosed spaces

Exposure Patterns:

Workers at Quonset Point faced:

• Hull fabrication from scratch in confined workspaces
• Module assembly with asbestos materials
• Similar product exposure to Groton facility
• Inadequate ventilation in assembly areas

Legal Implications:

Rhode Island workers have filed cases including:

• Exposure claims from 1974-1984 facility operation
• Both Rhode Island and Connecticut court filings
• Workers' compensation and tort claims
• Similar causation arguments to Groton cases

Workers at either Electric Boat facility may have compensation claims based on their documented asbestos exposure.

What Legal Actions Have Electric Boat Workers Filed?

Electric Boat workers filed extensive litigation against asbestos manufacturers, with Dr. Danziger & De Llano's legal documentation shows that Selikoff's studies providing powerful facility-specific evidence.

Scope of Litigation:

Electric Boat's decades of operation, hundreds of submarines built, and tens of thousands of workers employed generated substantial asbestos litigation. The Selikoff documentation of 50% abnormality rate provides uniquely powerful evidence.

Case Characteristics:

Electric Boat worker cases typically involve:

• Multiple defendants: 10-40+ companies named based on specific product exposure
• Documented suppliers: Raybestos-Manhattan, Cummings Insulation, Johns-Manville, John Crane, Garlock
• Selikoff studies as evidence: 1975-1976 and 1984 studies provide facility-specific proof
• Quantified exposure: 90,000 sq ft asbestos cloth per submarine

Notable Litigation Features:

Raybestos-Manhattan Cases:

• Documented 16-year supplier relationship (1959-1975)
• Specific contracts and delivery records available
• Workers testify to daily use of Raybestos asbestos cloth

Cummings Insulation Cases:

• $250,000/year contract documented (1962-1970s)
• Full-time contractors identified by name
• Specific product and labor documentation

Comparable Verdicts:

As Mesothelioma Lawyer Center legally documents, Connecticut jury verdicts in mesothelioma cases include:

• $20 million verdict with punitive damages still under consideration
• $15 million verdict for mesothelioma victim
• $8 million verdict against General Electric for submarine shipyard worker

First Workers' Compensation Claim:

The first asbestos-related workers' compensation claim from Electric Boat was filed in 1974, marking the beginning of formal legal recognition of hazards at the facility.

Which Trust Funds Can Electric Boat Workers File With?

As documented by Mesothelioma.net, workers exposed to asbestos at Electric Boat may file claims with multiple asbestos bankruptcy trust funds based on documented product exposure.

Major Applicable Trust Funds:

Trust Fund	Payment %	Electric Boat Connection
Johns-Manville Trust	Varies	Navy-spec insulation, cement, pipe covering
Garlock Trust	25%	Gaskets and packing for submarines
Eagle-Picher Trust	33%	Navy contractor since 1934; submarine insulation
Owens Corning Trust	4.7%	Kaylo insulation in buildings and vessels
Pittsburgh Corning Trust	Varies	Block insulation products
Raybestos-Manhattan Trust	Varies	Documented supplier 1959-1975; asbestos cloth

Danziger & De Llano's specifications indicate that Additional Potentially Applicable Trusts:

• Armstrong World Industries
• Celotex Corporation
• G-I Holdings/GAF
• Keene Corporation
• Flexitallic Trust
• Combustion Engineering Trust
• Babcock & Wilcox Trust
• Foster Wheeler Trust

✓ Documented Supplier Advantage: Electric Boat workers benefit from documented supplier relationships. The Raybestos-Manhattan (1959-1975) and Cummings Insulation ($250,000/year) contracts provide specific evidence linking exposure to particular manufacturers' trusts.

What Is Electric Boat's Historic Significance in Submarine Building?

According to Mesothelioma Lawyer Center, Electric Boat built America's submarine fleet from the very beginning, including the world's first nuclear-powered submarine.

Historic Firsts:

• USS Holland (1900): U.S. Navy's first commissioned submarine
• USS Nautilus (1954): World's first nuclear-powered submarine
• 1958: USS Nautilus became first vessel to transit under North Pole

Production History:

• WWI (1914-1918): 85 submarines
• WWII (1941-1945): 74 submarines
• Nuclear Era (1954-present): Lead designer and builder of nuclear submarines
• Virginia-class: 22+ delivered, 16+ under construction
• Current: One of only two U.S. shipyards building nuclear submarines

Employment History:

• WWII Peak: 13,000+ workers
• 1968: 8,000 workers involved in wildcat strike
• 1980s Peak: 18,000 workers
• 1993 Post-Cold War: Dropped to 9,000
• Current (2026): 23,000+ employees

This production history means tens of thousands of workers were exposed to asbestos over decades of submarine construction.

What Is Electric Boat's Current Status?

As Mesothelioma.net documents, Electric Boat remains one of America's most important defense contractors and continues active operations today.

Current Operations:

• Primary designer and builder of U.S. Navy submarines
• One of only two shipyards building nuclear-powered submarines
• 23,000+ current employees (Connecticut's largest private employer)
• Virginia-class and Columbia-class submarine programs

Union Representation:

• Metal Trades Council of New London County: 3,400+ skilled trades workers
• IAM Local 1871: Machinists
• MDA-UAW Local 571: Professional and technical employees
• International Brotherhood of Boilermakers
• IBEW: Electrical workers
• United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters

Ongoing Exposure Concerns:

While new asbestos installation ceased in the 1980s, workers may encounter:

• Legacy materials during submarine overhauls
• Older submarines built with asbestos requiring maintenance
• Building renovation disturbing existing asbestos
• Contaminated facility infrastructure

Modern operations follow strict OSHA standards, but submarines constructed during the asbestos era still require maintenance work.

How Can Electric Boat Workers and Families Get Help?

If you or a family member worked at Electric Boat in Groton or the Quonset Point facility between 1940 and 1990, you may have been exposed to asbestos and could be entitled to significant compensation. According to Danziger & De Llano's findings, the Selikoff studies provide uniquely powerful documentation for claims.

ℹ Important Time Limits: Connecticut and Rhode Island have specific statutes of limitations for asbestos claims. Contact an experienced mesothelioma attorney as soon as possible to protect your legal rights.

What to Do Next:

1. Gather Employment Records: Collect documentation of your work at Electric Boat including personnel records, union cards, security badges, or pay stubs
2. Document Your Work History: Note which submarines you worked on, which areas of the facility, and which products you handled
3. Obtain Medical Records: Get documentation of your diagnosis and any connection to asbestos exposure
4. Contact Experienced Attorneys: Mesothelioma attorneys can leverage the Selikoff studies and documented supplier relationships to maximize your compensation

✓ Free Case Evaluation — If you or a loved one was exposed to asbestos at Electric Boat, you may be entitled to significant compensation. The Selikoff studies documenting 50% worker abnormality rates provide powerful evidence for claims. Call (855) 699-5441 for a free, confidential consultation with experienced mesothelioma attorneys.

Related Wiki Articles

Naval Shipyards:

• Norfolk Naval Shipyard
• Portsmouth Naval Shipyard
• Brooklyn Navy Yard
• Long Beach Naval Shipyard
• Hunters Point Naval Shipyard

High-Risk Occupations:

• Insulation Workers
• Boilermakers
• Plumbers and Pipefitters
• Electricians
• Welders
• Marine Engineering Workers

Resources:

• Clinical Trials
• Mesothelioma Treatment Costs