Asbestos Materials Used at San Francisco Dry Dock Facility

Asbestos-containing materials used aboard ships that are repaired at both military and civilian dry dock shipyards such as the San Francisco Dry Dock placed both the ship personnel and all those working at the shipyard at risk for exposure to asbestos, a dangerous mineral known to cause mesothelioma cancer, asbestos lung cancer and asbestosis.

If you or a loved one was exposed to asbestos and diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, our asbestos attorneys can provide information about your legal options.

California’s San Francisco Dry Dock, which is located in the north end of the city, has the distinction of being one of the oldest continually operating shipyards in the United States.

The facility, which is currently operating as a civilian shipyard, was bought by Bethlehem Steel Company over 100 years ago. During both the first and second World Wars and beyond, Bethlehem’s shipbuilding division constructed destroyers, submarines, cruisers and barges at the facility.

Tragically, the workers at these shipyards were exposed to a number of dangerous products while working at the Dry Dock, including asbestos.

Asbestos Products Used Aboard Ships
Many of the workers at the nation’s shipyards faced almost daily exposure to the dangerous carcinogen (cancer-causing mineral). When ships were brought into dry dock for renovations, individuals from a number of trades would work aboard the ship to strip down the ships and apply new asbestos insulation.

In addition, asbestos block was also used to insulate in boiler rooms and other areas of the ship. Asbestos tape products were typically used to insulate around the pipes that traversed the ship, and asbestos felt was used aboard a military ship’s powder room to protect explosives and other weaponry from accidental discharge.

Shipyard Workers and Asbestos Disease
Tragically, many shipyard workers who were exposed to asbestos ultimately developed mesothelioma, asbestos lung cancer or asbestosis caused by their work-related exposure to the dangerous cancer-causing mineral.

The effects of asbestos exposure take decades to develop (known as asbestos latency period). When asbestos fibers are inhaled, the sharp, jagged edges on the microscopic fibers cause them to attach to lung tissue.

Over the decades-long latency period, the lungs begin to scar, which can cause chronic breathing problems or cancer tumors to develop.

Get Help from the Asbestos Lawyers at Weitz & Weitz & Luxenberg
If you or a loved one worked has been diagnosed with asbestosis, asbestos lung cancer or mesothelioma cancer, our experienced asbestos lawyers may be able to help you to seek justice for your illness and file an asbestos lawsuit on your behalf.

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