The Brooklyn Navy Yard employed approximately 70,000 workers at its peak during World War II, making it one of the largest sources of occupational asbestos exposure in American history [1]. From the 1940s through the facility's closure in 1966, workers across dozens of trades handled asbestos-containing materials daily while building, repairing, and maintaining hundreds of naval vessels [2]. Today, former workers and their families continue to be diagnosed with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases decades after their exposure.
Executive Summary
Brooklyn Navy Yard was the largest naval shipyard on the East Coast, constructing and repairing vessels throughout WWII and the Korean War era [1]. The urgent wartime production pace meant workers were heavily exposed to asbestos insulation, pipe covering, gaskets, and fireproofing materials with minimal protective equipment [2]. Trades with highest exposure included insulators, pipefitters, boilermakers, electricians, shipfitters, and welders. Because mesothelioma has a 20-50 year latency period, workers exposed in the 1940s-1960s continue being diagnosed today [3]. Former Brooklyn Navy Yard workers and their families may qualify for compensation through asbestos trust funds, personal injury lawsuits, and VA benefits for veterans. New York's 3-year statute of limitations for mesothelioma claims requires prompt legal action.
10 Key Facts About Brooklyn Navy Yard Asbestos Exposure
- Peak Employment: 70,000 workers during WWII [1]
- Active Years: 1801-1966 (165 years of operation)
- Heaviest Exposure Period: 1940-1966
- Ships Built at BNY: 5 aircraft carriers, 5 battleships, and hundreds of other vessels [1]
- Size: 300+ acres along the East River in Brooklyn
- Worker Trades Affected: 50+ occupational categories
- Asbestos Products Used: Pipe insulation, boiler lagging, gaskets, fireproofing, floor tiles
- Mesothelioma Latency: 20-50 years from exposure to diagnosis [3]
- NY Statute of Limitations: 3 years from diagnosis
- VA Disability Rating: Mesothelioma often qualifies for 100% disability
What Made Brooklyn Navy Yard So Dangerous for Asbestos Exposure?
Brooklyn Navy Yard's scale and wartime urgency created extraordinarily hazardous conditions for asbestos exposure [1]. Understanding these conditions helps document exposure for legal claims.
Workers at peak WWII employment, many exposed to asbestos daily
Wartime Production Demands
During WWII, Brooklyn Navy Yard operated around the clock with three shifts to meet urgent military demands [1]:
- Wartime speed prioritized over worker safety
- Minimal ventilation in enclosed ship spaces
- No respiratory protection provided to most workers
- Workers in different trades laboring side-by-side, creating cross-exposure
- Limited safety training or awareness of asbestos hazards
Asbestos Throughout Ship Construction
Naval vessels were constructed using massive quantities of asbestos-containing materials [2]:
- Engine rooms: Pipe insulation, boiler lagging, turbine wrapping
- Mechanical spaces: Gaskets, packing, thermal barriers
- Living quarters: Fireproofing, deck covering, bulkhead insulation
- Electrical systems: Wire insulation, panel partitions, arc shields
The shipyard exposure index provides detailed information on shipyard asbestos sources.
"There is hope. The treatments are better today. I'm living proof—I'm currently battling cancer myself while helping other families through this. My father died of mesothelioma in 1999 after working at Shell Refinery, so I understand shipyard and industrial exposure firsthand. Brooklyn Navy Yard workers deserve justice."
— Larry Gates, Senior Client Advocate, Danziger & De Llano
Which Jobs Had the Highest Asbestos Exposure at Brooklyn Navy Yard?
While all shipyard workers faced some asbestos exposure, certain trades had particularly intensive contact with asbestos-containing materials [2].
Highest Risk Occupations
| Occupation | Primary Exposure Sources | Exposure Level |
|---|---|---|
| Insulators/Laggers | Direct handling of asbestos insulation | Extreme |
| Pipefitters | Pipe insulation, gaskets, packing | Very High |
| Boilermakers | Boiler insulation, refractory cement | Very High |
| Electricians | Wire insulation, panel partitions | High |
| Shipfitters | Deck covering, bulkhead materials | High |
| Welders | Adjacent work areas, blankets | High |
| Machinists | Gaskets, brake materials | Moderate-High |
Bystander Exposure
Workers in other trades also faced significant "bystander" exposure from working alongside insulation crews or in enclosed ship spaces where asbestos fibers remained airborne [2]. This included:
- Painters working after insulation installation
- Laborers cleaning up debris containing asbestos
- Supervisors and inspectors touring work areas
- Administrative staff in shipyard buildings
The occupational exposure guide provides detailed trade-specific information.
What Asbestos Products Were Used at Brooklyn Navy Yard?
Dozens of asbestos-containing products were standard materials in naval shipbuilding [2]. Identifying specific products strengthens legal claims.
Common Brooklyn Navy Yard Products
- Johns-Manville pipe insulation: Thermafiber, Superex
- Eagle-Picher insulation: Block and pipe covering
- Garlock gaskets: Flange gaskets, valve packing
- Flexitallic gaskets: High-temperature applications
- Unarco insulation: Pittsburgh Corning products
- Kaylo insulation: Owens Corning products
- Asbestos cloth and blankets: Welding protection
- Spray-on fireproofing: Monokote and similar products
Each product connects to a specific manufacturer's bankruptcy trust, potentially qualifying workers for additional compensation.
How Does Secondary Exposure Affect Families?
Brooklyn Navy Yard workers unknowingly brought asbestos fibers home on their clothing, hair, and skin, exposing family members to dangerous levels of asbestos [3].
Estimated percentage of mesothelioma cases from secondary exposure
Secondary Exposure Pathways
- Laundering work clothes: Wives and mothers shaking out and washing contaminated clothing
- Greeting workers: Embracing family members still wearing dusty work clothes
- Shared vehicles: Asbestos settling in cars used for commuting
- Home contamination: Fibers tracked into living spaces on shoes and belongings
Family Members at Risk
- Spouses: Especially wives who handled laundry
- Children: Playing near or with parents' work clothes
- Grandchildren: In some cases, contaminated belongings stored for decades
Family members who develop mesothelioma from secondary exposure have the same legal rights as directly exposed workers. The secondary exposure guide provides detailed information.
"I've worked with families where the wife developed mesothelioma from washing her husband's Navy Yard work clothes. These cases are heartbreaking but legally valid. The asbestos companies knew their products were dangerous—they didn't warn workers or provide protective equipment, and entire families paid the price."
— Larry Gates, Senior Client Advocate, Danziger & De Llano
What Compensation Is Available for Brooklyn Navy Yard Workers?
Former Brooklyn Navy Yard workers and their families may qualify for multiple compensation sources [4].
Asbestos Trust Funds
Over 60 bankruptcy trusts holding $30+ billion remain active for victims of asbestos product manufacturers. Brooklyn Navy Yard workers typically qualify for 10-20 trust claims based on products used at the facility.
Personal Injury Lawsuits
Workers can file lawsuits against solvent companies that supplied asbestos products to the shipyard. Settlements average $1-1.4 million for mesothelioma cases.
Veterans Benefits
Workers who were military personnel while at Brooklyn Navy Yard may qualify for VA disability compensation. Mesothelioma typically qualifies for 100% disability rating.
Social Security Disability
Mesothelioma patients may qualify for expedited Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) under the Compassionate Allowances program.
Workers' Compensation
While rare for decades-old exposure, some workers may have state workers' compensation claims depending on their employment circumstances.
What Are the Filing Deadlines for Brooklyn Navy Yard Claims?
New York has specific time limits for filing asbestos-related claims:
Personal Injury Claims
- Statute of limitations: 3 years from diagnosis or discovery of disease
- Discovery rule: Clock starts when you knew or should have known your illness was asbestos-related
Wrongful Death Claims
- Statute of limitations: 2 years from date of death
- Filed by: Estate representative or surviving family members
Trust Fund Claims
- Each trust has its own filing deadlines, typically 2-3 years from diagnosis
- Claims can be filed simultaneously with lawsuits
The statute of limitations guide provides state-by-state deadline information.
What Is the Current Status of Brooklyn Navy Yard?
After closing as a naval facility in 1966, Brooklyn Navy Yard has been redeveloped as an industrial park [5].
Environmental Remediation
- Extensive asbestos removal from buildings converted for commercial use
- Ongoing monitoring and management of remaining contaminated structures
- Regulated demolition procedures when buildings are razed
Current Exposure Risks
- Construction and renovation workers may encounter legacy asbestos
- Building inspections required before major renovations
- Professional abatement required for identified materials
Frequently Asked Questions
How many workers were exposed to asbestos at Brooklyn Navy Yard?
Approximately 70,000 workers were employed at Brooklyn Navy Yard at peak WWII production, with heavy asbestos exposure continuing through the facility's closure in 1966. Workers across more than 50 trades faced exposure while building, repairing, and maintaining naval vessels. Even workers who didn't directly handle asbestos faced significant bystander exposure in enclosed ship spaces.
What jobs had the highest asbestos exposure at Brooklyn Navy Yard?
Insulators (laggers) had the highest exposure from direct handling of asbestos materials. Pipefitters, boilermakers, electricians, and shipfitters also had very high exposure from working with insulated pipes, boilers, and electrical components. Welders faced high exposure from adjacent insulation work and asbestos welding blankets. Even painters, laborers, and supervisors faced significant bystander exposure.
Can family members of Brooklyn Navy Yard workers get compensation?
Yes. Family members who developed mesothelioma from secondary exposure—typically from washing contaminated work clothes or other household contact—can file the same types of legal claims as directly exposed workers. Additionally, surviving spouses, children, and dependents can file wrongful death claims when Brooklyn Navy Yard workers die from asbestos-related diseases.
Is Brooklyn Navy Yard still contaminated with asbestos?
The shipyard closed in 1966 and has undergone extensive remediation since its conversion to an industrial park. However, some legacy asbestos remains in older structures. Workers involved in demolition, renovation, or construction at the site may still encounter asbestos-containing materials and face exposure if proper safety protocols aren't followed.
What compensation is available for Brooklyn Navy Yard workers?
Multiple compensation sources are available: asbestos trust funds from bankrupt manufacturers (average mesothelioma patients qualify for 10-20 trusts), personal injury lawsuits against solvent companies (averaging $1-1.4 million), VA benefits for veterans (often 100% disability rating), Social Security disability through Compassionate Allowances, and in some cases workers' compensation claims.
How long do I have to file a claim for Brooklyn Navy Yard asbestos exposure?
New York's statute of limitations is 3 years from mesothelioma diagnosis or discovery that your disease is asbestos-related. Wrongful death claims must be filed within 2 years of death. Trust fund claims have varying deadlines, typically 2-3 years from diagnosis. Because these deadlines are strict, consulting with a mesothelioma attorney promptly after diagnosis is essential.
Next Steps: Getting Help for Brooklyn Navy Yard Exposure
If you or a family member worked at Brooklyn Navy Yard and has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, you may be entitled to significant compensation from multiple sources. Don't let filing deadlines pass.
Our experienced attorneys have helped hundreds of shipyard workers and their families recover compensation. We understand Brooklyn Navy Yard's history, the products used there, and how to maximize your recovery from all available sources.
Related Resources
- Asbestos Trust Funds — Complete compensation guide
- Veterans Benefits for Mesothelioma — VA compensation information
- Find Mesothelioma Lawyers — Connect with specialists
- Free Case Assessment — Evaluate your options
Learn More
- Brooklyn Navy Yard — Detailed shipyard history
- Shipyard Exposure Index — US shipyard information
- Navy Veterans — Military asbestos exposure
Sources:
- New York Historical Society. (2024). Brooklyn Navy Yard: An Industrial History.
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. (2024). Naval Shipyard Asbestos Exposure Assessment.
- Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. (2024). WWII Shipyard Workers and Mesothelioma Risk.
- Department of Veterans Affairs. (2025). Veterans and Asbestos-Related Disease.
- Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation. (2024). Environmental Report.
Last updated: January 9, 2026
About the Author
Larry GatesSenior Client Advocate and Military Veteran Specialist with 25+ years experience helping shipyard workers and veterans
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