Sailor/Merchant Marine
Sailors and merchant marines are regarded as two of the more hazardous occupations due to the high volume of confirmed asbestos exposures. These Individuals which traveled on sea going vessels for military, commerce, and other purposes may have been exposed to dangerous levels of asbestos prior to the 1970’s. Asbestos was used in a number of locations on a ship which, given the tight quarters of many ships, allowed for long-term exposure to the deadly mineral.
Asbestos, when disturbed or aged, can release fibers and dust into the air, which when inhaled can lead to a number of health problems including asbestosis and such cancers as mesothelioma, lung, esophageal, gastrointestinal, laryngeal, and pharyngeal. Unfortunately, many of these asbestos exposures could have been prevented if sailors and merchant marines had been aware of the danger and given proper training and safety equipment.
Asbestos Products in the Shipping Industry
Asbestos products were used in different areas of the ship primarily because of their resistance to heat, electrical, and chemical damage. Asbestos also provided the benefit of sound absorption and tensile strength. Asbestos was used in over 300 products on ships until the 1970’s. In fact, it has been estimated that some of the bigger ships from the 1940’s through to the 1970’s contained over 1,000 tons of asbestos throughout the ship. The most common used of an asbestos product was asbestos-containing insulation to wrap hot water, steam, and fuel pipes for heat resistance purposes. The engine room was a particularly dangerous area because often the entire room was lined with asbestos insulation for heat resistant purposes. Other danger areas of the ship and products include bricks, cement, liners, instrument paneling, adhesives, gaskets, floor tiles, ceiling tiles, and cabling.
The widespread use of asbestos products means that most people traveling and working aboard ships during this time period likely experienced some level of asbestos exposure. The close quarters and poor ventilation of a ship only increased the chances of ship workers of experiencing exposure and the resulting health issues like mesothelioma and asbestosis. Because sailors and merchant marines were often tasked with the ongoing repair and maintenance issues in areas with asbestos, there are stories of ship workers being showered with asbestos fibers and even routinely dusting off their beds before going to sleep.
Call us at (800) 278-8675 to speak with a mesothelioma paralegal
Today’s Sailors and Merchant Marines Could Still be at Risk for Asbestos Exposure
Although a 2000 amendment to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) treaty has banned new installation of asbestos-containing materials on ships, there are still a few exceptions for very high heat areas. Of more concern to modern sailors and merchant marines is the repair, overhaul, and retrofitting of ships built during the period of widespread use. It is important that modern sailors be properly trained in order to identify asbestos and then safely service and repair those areas of the ship to avoid potentially deadly exposure.
Were You Exposed to Asbestos as a Sailor or Merchant Marine?
It is recommended that people who have spent a significant period of time working as a sailor or merchant marine get a full physical evaluation by a doctor. Mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer caused by asbestos exposure, often takes up to 30-40 years to manifest. Like many other diseases, it is important to catch the disease in its early stages. At-risk workers should pay close attention to any mesothelioma symptoms which include fluid in the lungs, chest pain, coughing, shortness of breath and fatigue.
If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and believe you were exposed to asbestos over the course of your sailor or merchant marine career, you may be entitled to a mesothelioma settlement. To learn more about how a mesothelioma lawyer may be able to assist you, please contact us for a free mesothelioma case evaluation.