Washington State reports approximately 100 mesothelioma diagnoses per year. The state's asbestos exposure history is dominated by two industries: naval shipbuilding and aerospace. Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton is one of the largest naval facilities in the world and exposed thousands of workers and Navy personnel to asbestos over many decades. The Boeing Company's aircraft manufacturing facilities in the Seattle area also used asbestos in aircraft construction and facility insulation throughout the mid-20th century.
Asbestos Exposure History in Washington
Puget Sound Naval Shipyard (PSNS) in Bremerton is one of the most significant asbestos exposure sites on the West Coast. As the primary maintenance and repair facility for Pacific Fleet vessels, PSNS employed tens of thousands of civilian workers who were exposed to asbestos insulation from ship piping, boilers, and machinery during overhauls. Todd Shipyards in Seattle was another major civilian exposure site during the war years. Boeing's aircraft manufacturing facilities used asbestos insulation in engine components, landing gear systems, and manufacturing facility construction from the 1940s through the 1970s. The aluminum smelting industry in Whatcom County also used asbestos refractory materials in their furnace operations.
Key Asbestos Exposure Sites in Washington
- Puget Sound Naval Shipyard (Bremerton)
- Todd Shipyards (Seattle)
- Boeing Commercial Airplanes (Seattle / Renton)
- Alcoa Intalco Aluminum (Ferndale)
- Pacific Car and Foundry (PACCAR, Renton)
- Columbia River Gorge hydroelectric facilities
Documented Sites with Detailed Records
The Navy's largest repair facility on the West Coast. Generations of shipyard workers and Navy sailors performing overhaul and repair work were exposed to massive quantities of asbestos insulation in ships' engine rooms and machinery spaces.
A major commercial and military shipbuilding facility on Elliott Bay. Workers constructing and repairing vessels used asbestos insulation extensively in engine rooms, boiler areas, and pipe systems throughout the shipyard.
Home of the 747, 767, 777, and 787 — the largest building by volume in the world. Boeing production workers and mechanics were exposed to asbestos in aircraft insulation blankets, gaskets, and fireproofing materials through the late 1970s.
America's most contaminated nuclear site, originally built for the Manhattan Project. Construction workers and later cleanup contractors were exposed to asbestos insulation in reactors, processing facilities, and support buildings throughout the site.
One of the largest copper smelters in the world. Workers in the smelting, refining, and maintenance departments were exposed to asbestos in high-temperature furnace insulation, pipe lagging, and protective equipment throughout the facility.
Top Industries for Asbestos Exposure in Washington
- Shipbuilding & Naval Facilities
- Aerospace
- Aluminum Smelting
- Power Generation
- Lumber & Pulp Mills
Washington Mesothelioma Laws & Filing Deadlines
Washington has a 3-year statute of limitations for both personal injury and wrongful death asbestos claims. Washington is a particularly important jurisdiction for mesothelioma litigation given the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard exposure history, and courts in King County (Seattle) and Kitsap County (Bremerton) have substantial experience with these cases. Washington also has a survival statute that allows a deceased victim's estate to continue a lawsuit that was filed before the victim's death.
* Filing deadlines are based on state law at time of publication. Always verify current deadlines with a licensed mesothelioma attorney in Washington.
Frequently Asked Questions — Mesothelioma in Washington
Yes. Civilian workers at PSNS were employed by the US Navy as government contractors or direct employees and can file product liability claims against the manufacturers of the asbestos products used at the shipyard. These are separate from any workers' compensation claims.