Shipyard Asbestos Exposure

Shipyard Asbestos Exposure
Genoa Pleural Mesothelioma SMR	575 (3,984 workers, 1960–2014)
Highest-Risk Trade (Genoa)	Insulation workers (SMR 1,703 for pleural cancer)
Asbestosis Rate	64% of 288 male shipyard workers first exposed 20+ years earlier (Kilburn 1986)
Median Latency (Genoa)	42.8 years for pleural cancer

Executive Summary

Shipyard asbestos exposure is among the occupational exposures linked to excess mesothelioma in cohort studies of shipyard workers. In a cohort of 3,984 workers employed at the shipyard of Genoa, Italy, between 1960 and 1981 and followed to December 2014, the standardized mortality ratio (SMR) for pleural mesothelioma was 575 (95% CI 469–697). Among 7,971 male Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard workers, seven mesotheliomas occurred in 1977–1982 in a subset of 7,029 Hawaii residents, an incidence of 67.3 per million men per year compared with 5.8 for the state as a whole. Among men employed at a U.S. Coast Guard shipyard between 1950 and 1964 and followed through 2001, the SMR for mesothelioma was 5.07 (95% CI 1.85–11.03).

Radiographic signs of asbestosis were found in 64% of 288 male shipyard workers first exposed to asbestos at least 20 years earlier, and in 21% of 71 female shipyard workers. After excluding those with any occupational exposure to asbestos, asbestosis prevalence was 11% in wives, 8% in sons, and 2% in daughters.

The median latency for pleural cancer in the Genoa cohort was 42.8 years. The Genoa authors note that exposure to asbestos still occurs during dismantling of ships and vessels.

At-a-Glance

Shipyard asbestos exposure at a glance:

• SMR 575 for pleural mesothelioma among 3,984 Genoa shipyard workers employed 1960–1981 and followed up to December 2014
• Insulation workers had the highest pleural cancer SMR of any Genoa trade: 1,703
• 67.3 per million men per year mesothelioma incidence in a Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard cohort, against 5.8 for Hawaii as a whole
• SMR 5.07 for mesothelioma among men at a U.S. Coast Guard shipyard
• 64% asbestosis rate among 288 male shipyard workers first exposed 20+ years earlier; 11% of wives and 8% of sons with no occupational exposure of their own
• 86.7% of shipyard workers in a Monfalcone, Italy necropsy series had pleural plaques
• 42.8 years median latency for pleural cancer in the Genoa cohort
• 31 of 35 mesotheliomas among Monfalcone workers hired in 1950–1959 had latency periods over 40 years

Key Facts

Measure	Finding
Genoa SMR (Pleural Mesothelioma)	575 (95% CI 469–697), 3,984 workers employed 1960–1981, followed to 2014 (Merlo et al., PMID 30594195)
Pearl Harbor Incidence	67.3 per million men per year vs. 5.8 statewide, 1977–1982 (Kolonel et al.)
U.S. Coast Guard Shipyard SMR	5.07 for mesothelioma among men (95% CI 1.85–11.03), workers employed 1950–1964 and followed through 2001 (Krstev et al., PMID 17881470)
Shipyard Worker Asbestosis Rate	64% of 288 male workers, 20+ years since first exposure
Monfalcone Pleural Plaques	86.7% of shipyard workers (3,640 necropsies, Monfalcone, 1979–1998)
Latency Period	42.8 years median for pleural cancer (Genoa); over 40 years in 31 of 35 Monfalcone cases

Why Were Shipyards So Dangerous?

At Italian shipyards engaged mainly in ship repair, refitting and construction, asbestos was used to insulate boilers, steam and hot water pipes, and air conditioning systems; it was present in construction sheets and was also sprayed directly on surfaces. On naval vessels, asbestos materials were concentrated in fire-prone areas such as engineering spaces and boiler rooms.

In the Genoa cohort, pleural cancer mortality was increased among all trades except linoleum, polisher and decorator workers.

Which Shipyard Trades Had the Highest Risk?

The Genoa cohort study, following 3,984 workers employed between 1960 and 1981, reported trade-specific standardized mortality ratios for pleural cancer. The authors reported the highest ratios among insulation workers, painters, caulkers, carpenters, and smiths and shipwrights:

Trade	SMR (Pleural Cancer)	Observed Deaths
Insulation Workers	1,703 (552–3,974)	5
Painters	1,436 (524–3,126)	6
Caulkers	1,135 (137–4,100)	2
Carpenters	918 (249–2,350)	4
Smiths and Shipwrights	821 (330–1,690)	7
Autogenous Welders	716	7
Careeners	631	6
Ironsmiths	615	10
Electricians	570	5
Plumbers and Coppersmiths	563	10

The table lists every trade whose pleural-cancer SMR was statistically significant (P < 0.05) at 563 or above; fitters (531), stakers (519) and ship demolishers (514) were also significant. Each rests on a small number of deaths, which is why the confidence intervals are wide.

Exposure also reached the families of shipyard workers. In the Los Angeles shipyard series, asbestosis was found in 64% of 288 male shipyard workers first exposed at least 20 years earlier and, after excluding anyone with occupational asbestos exposure, in 11% of wives, 8% of sons, and 2% of daughters. These household figures describe take-home exposure to families, not co-worker bystander exposure.

Which Shipyards Were Most Affected?

Cohort and necropsy studies have documented asbestos disease at shipyards in the United States and Italy:

• Boston Naval Shipyard (Charlestown Navy Yard) — opened in 1800 and closed in 1974; when it closed, the yard employed welders, electricians, machinists, ironworkers, pipefitters, and engineers.
• Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard — a retrospective cohort of 7,971 male workers included more than 3,000 men whose employment spanned the World War II years; mesothelioma incidence in a resident subset was 67.3 per million men per year, compared with 5.8 for Hawaii as a whole.
• U.S. Coast Guard shipyard — 4,702 civilian workers employed between 1950 and 1964 were followed through 2001; among men, the SMR for mesothelioma was 5.07, with SMRs of 4.23 and 6.27 for fewer than 10 years and 10 or more years of employment.
• Genoa, Italy — pleural mesothelioma SMR 575 among 3,984 shipyard workers.
• Monfalcone, Italy — in 3,640 necropsies at Monfalcone Hospital from October 1979 to September 1998, shipyard workers had a pleural plaque prevalence of 86.7%. Of 1,403 workers hired at the Monfalcone shipyards in 1950–1959, 35 were diagnosed with mesothelioma between 1978 and 2012.

In Scotland there were 42 shipbuilding and ship-repairing yards in 1960, 32 of them on Clydeside, and Clydebank saw heavy asbestos use: Turner & Newall opened an asbestos-cement products factory at Dalmuir in 1938, and the QE2 ocean liner, built at John Brown's shipyard between 1965 and 1967 with more than 3,000 workers on site at peak construction, exposed laggers, joiners, plumbers, plasterers, electricians, and other trades to asbestos dust.

Are Workers Still at Risk Today?

Yes. The Genoa authors note that exposure to asbestos still occurs during dismantling of ships and vessels, and that current estimates report exposure of hundreds of millions of people in occupational settings in countries where asbestos use remains unregulated. Among Monfalcone workers hired in 1950–1959, the authors concluded: "The effects of asbestos exposure begun in 1950-1959 cannot be considered as exhausted".

Veterans and Shipyard Exposure

Service members who worked aboard ships or in naval shipyards could be exposed to the same materials as civilian shipyard workers. Key locations of military asbestos exposure included shipyards and naval vessels, in insulation, boilers, and engine rooms. On naval vessels, asbestos materials were concentrated in engineering spaces and boiler rooms.

Frequently Asked Questions

What jobs in shipyards caused the most asbestos exposure?

In the Genoa shipyard cohort, the highest pleural cancer SMRs were among insulation workers (1,703), painters (1,436), caulkers (1,135), carpenters (918), and smiths and shipwrights (821). Pleural cancer mortality was increased among all trades except linoleum, polisher and decorator workers.

What is the mesothelioma risk for shipyard workers?

The Genoa study found an SMR of 575 for pleural mesothelioma. At Pearl Harbor, mesothelioma incidence in a shipyard cohort was 67.3 per million men per year, against 5.8 for Hawaii as a whole.

Can family members of shipyard workers get asbestos disease?

Yes. In the Los Angeles shipyard series, after excluding anyone with occupational asbestos exposure, asbestosis prevalence was 11% in wives, 8% in sons and 2% in daughters of shipyard workers.

Are shipyard workers still getting mesothelioma today?

Yes. The median latency for pleural cancer in the Genoa cohort was 42.8 years. Of 1,403 workers hired at the Monfalcone shipyards in 1950–1959, 35 were diagnosed with mesothelioma, and latency periods exceeded 40 years in 31 cases.

What legal options do shipyard workers have?

Asbestos trust funds originated when asbestos companies declared bankruptcy and set aside funds for current and future claims; instead of suing a company, individuals submit claims to the trust associated with the asbestos product or worksite.

Quick Statistics

• SMR 575 for pleural mesothelioma in the Genoa shipyard cohort
• 1,703 — pleural cancer SMR for insulation workers, the highest of any Genoa trade
• 67.3 vs. 5.8 — mesothelioma incidence per million men per year, Pearl Harbor shipyard cohort vs. Hawaii
• 64% of 288 male shipyard workers had radiographic asbestosis 20+ years after first exposure
• 86.7% — pleural plaque prevalence among shipyard workers in a Monfalcone necropsy series
• 42.8 years — median latency for pleural cancer in the Genoa cohort

External Links

• Danziger & De Llano — national mesothelioma law firm with information on asbestos trust fund and litigation compensation for shipyard workers and Navy veterans

⚠ Statute of Limitations Warning: Filing deadlines vary by state from 1-6 years from diagnosis. Texas allows 2 years from diagnosis or discovery. Contact an attorney immediately to preserve your rights.

Related Pages

• Asbestosis — occupational lung disease found in 64% of male shipyard workers studied 20+ years after first exposure
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration — OSHA asbestos standards
• Hawks Nest Tunnel Disaster — parallel industrial health catastrophe from the same era
• Mesothelioma Diagnosis — understanding diagnosis after asbestos exposure