Pensacola Naval Air Station

Naval Air Station Pensacola and Mesothelioma

Pensacola Naval Air Station (NAS) is known for being the US’s first and longest-operating naval air station. The station opened in 1914 in Pensacola, Florida, as a training facility for Navy and Marine Corps aviation operations. Over the years, many veterans and citizens working on the base were unknowingly exposed to asbestos through maintenance, construction, and renovations. If you or a loved one lived on the NAS Pensacola base, you have an increased risk of asbestos exposure due to the extensive use of asbestos, regardless of where you worked.

Asbestos materials were commonly used on military ships in facility insulation, ceilings, and flooring for their heat resistance and durability. They could also be found throughout military ships and aircraft on bases, and their traces can still be found today. Many major companies, including Johns-Manville Corporation, CertainTeed Corporation, and Armstrong World Industries, have supplied the Pensacola Naval Air Station with asbestos-containing materials for years. If you or a loved one were a veteran or citizen working on the Pensacola Naval Air Station before the 1990s, you may have been exposed to asbestos. Learn more about the history, potential risks, and areas of asbestos exposure concerns.

History of Pensacola Naval Air Station and Asbestos

Being the oldest naval air station, Pensacola NAS was directly tied to the development of naval aviation in the US. Pensacola Naval Air Station played a pivotal role in developing training programs and the advancement of naval aviation training. Their role earned the title of home to the Naval Aviation Museum, showcasing the history of naval aviation in America. The station is still used today for advanced training for maritime officers and aircrew. The base played a major role in training pilots for World Wars I and II. Between the wars, the base was used to host experiments for naval aviation developments and new military equipment.

Exposure Risks on Pensacola Naval Air Station Throughout History

During World War II, the increased demand for pilots put thousands at risk of asbestos exposure from the rise of asbestos use in military facilities and equipment. Pensacola Naval Air Station continued to satisfy the exponential increase in demand for trained pilots by expanding facilities and upgrading its programs. Those involved in renovations were directly exposed to asbestos due to the release of fibers into the air from cutting, drilling, and disturbing asbestos fibers.

Some key asbestos exposure dates to take note of are:

• World War II (1939-1945): During this time, facilities experienced significant construction and expansion projects. Asbestos was found in the insulation, flooring, ceiling tiles, and roofing materials on the base.
• Maintenance and Renovations (1950s-1970s): After the war, Pensacola NAS required maintenance and repairs from the war. During these renovations, asbestos could be found in insulation around pipes and boilers, ceiling and floor tiles, and other structural materials.
• Demolition Projects (1980s-2000s): As Pensacola began to expand, it modernized its facilities and demolished or renovated older buildings to get rid of any harmful asbestos areas. During this period, awareness of asbestos-related health risks heightened, and efforts to educate those on base about the ongoing risks during maintenance, repair, and demolition activities were implemented to inform both past and current base personnel.

Potential Asbestos Exposure at Pensacola NAS

Pensacola Naval Air Station dates to the early 1940s, long before asbestos regulations were set. At any given time, veterans and civilian personnel working on base could inadvertently inhale disturbed asbestos fibers. There is no way to fully know how many were exposed to asbestos at Pensacola NAS, but it’s evident that asbestos exposure is a notable concern for those who served and worked on the base.

Some examples of significant asbestos exposure risks were:

• 1940s During WWII: The station significantly expanded to become one of the largest and busiest naval air stations. Asbestos was used in a variety of materials during the expansion, including insulation, pipes, boilers, and other fireproof materials.
• 1950s – 1960s Post-War: Regular maintenance and repairs were performed following WWII. During renovations, asbestos-containing materials were disturbed or deteriorated in buildings, hangars, and infrastructures.
• 1960s – 1970s During the Vietnam War: Asbestos was still commonly used on base, but researchers began looking deeper into health risks associated with asbestos. As health risks began to increase, strict regulations on safe asbestos removal and disposal were set into place to reduce the risk of exposure during the removal process.

You can take many protective measures to mitigate asbestos exposure risks, such as with PPE, regular screenings or check-ups, and staying up to date with asbestos exposure risks on your base. Since asbestos can still be found in building materials today, veterans working on base should closely follow all rules and regulations set in place and wear proper protective equipment to avoid inhaling disturbed asbestos fibers. If you lived or worked on base, we recommend regularly seeing a mesothelioma specialist for checkups. Early detection can play a huge role in your prognosis and can lead to better outcomes.

5 Areas of Concern at Naval Air Base Pensacola, Florida

The Pensacola Naval Air Station had many areas of asbestos exposure concerns, including boiler rooms, engine rooms, pipe insulation, shipyard buildings, submarines, aircraft carriers, and military vehicles, such as destroyers and cruisers. Many popular brands, such as Air-Cell, used insulation that contained 75-90% chrysotile asbestos. Shipbuilders and yard workers were at the highest risk of exposure because of the areas they worked in and the materials they worked with.

1. Engine Rooms

Asbestos was used for boilers, steam pipes, and turbines inside engine rooms. Maintenance workers were put at risk of exposure to disturbed fibers whenever they performed repairs, overhauls, or retrofits of engine components. Examples of asbestos used in engine rooms are older naval vessels, cargo ships, and oil tankers produced before regulations were enforced. These rooms usually have little to no ventilation, so veterans working in engine rooms were often exposed to asbestos fibers. Working in an engine room called for long hours, and during that time, PPE regulations were not set into place, so veterans were often exposed to asbestos fibers for long periods.

2. Pipe Insulation

Asbestos was used to create the insulation encompassing steam pipes, hot water, and other fluids. Workers were put at risk of exposure during repairs or replacement when cutting, drilling, and sanding pipe insulation. Asbestos-containing insulation could be found covering pipes in cargo ships, container ships, and military vessels. Since then, the military has implemented various changes to address asbestos risks on base, such as abiding by the EPA and OSHA’s set guidelines, developing comprehensive asbestos management programs, and publicly disclosing asbestos risks on base.

3. Submarines

Asbestos-containing materials were used inside submarines to protect boilers, steam pipes, engine components, and electrical wiring. Workers conducting maintenance and repairs for overhauls, refits, or upgraded subsystems on older nuclear subs and diesel-electric submarines could be exposed to disturbed fibers. Being in a confined space, such as a submarine containing asbestos, poses significant dangers and increases your risk of inhaling asbestos fibers. Confined spaces often lack adequate ventilation; therefore, if you served on a submarine in the military, it’s advisable to undergo screening for mesothelioma.

4. Aircraft Carriers

Asbestos-containing insulation was found on steam pipes in boiler rooms and engine rooms of many aircraft carriers. Performing maintenance on aircraft, such as repairing HVAC systems on historic aircraft carriers, exposes you to asbestos. Those conducting repairs, renovations, or construction may now face many health challenges because of asbestos exposure, such as respiratory issues, negative psychological impact, and a significantly increased risk of disease.

5. Destroyers and Cruisers

Asbestos-containing materials were used in the insulation around steam pipes, boiler rooms, and engine spaces. It can still be found today on bases in destroyers and cruisers that have not undergone asbestos testing. Those who performed routine maintenance, repairs, and refurbishment on propulsion systems, auxiliary machinery, and structural buildings were at high risk of disturbing and being exposed to asbestos fibers.

Legal Help for Those Affected by Asbestos Exposure at Pensacola NAS

If you’re a veteran or a loved one who has been exposed to asbestos, there are legal support and resources available to you. Our patient advocates can help you identify local healthcare facilities, where you were exposed, and what medical options are available. Finding a mesothelioma doctor at VA hospitals can be difficult, but we are here to help. We can connect you with trusted local mesothelioma doctors, healthcare facilities, and providers who specialize in asbestos-related diseases, including mesothelioma.

VA Support for Those Affected by Asbestos Exposure at Pensacola Naval Aviation Station

No one should have to fight this battle alone; we are here to support you through all your mesothelioma needs. It’s important to note that U.S. veterans who have developed mesothelioma while serving in the military may also qualify to file a mesothelioma VA claim with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to one of our dedicated team members today, as they are here to help guide you through the legal process and find the support you deserve