| Located in Charlestown, Mass., the Charlestown | | | | insulating properties. Because of this, asbestos |
| Navy Yard was among the first shipbuilding sites | | | | was used in many industries, including shipbuilding, |
| in the nation. It operated from 1801 to 1974, and | | | | from the late 1800s until its ban in the late 1900s. |
| has been known as the Boston Naval Shipyard | | | | When products containing asbestos are damaged |
| since 1945. Like many other shipyards across the | | | | or disturbed, tiny asbestos fibers are released into |
| country, the Boston Naval Shipyard used | | | | the air and can be inhaled into the lungs. |
| asbestos. | | | | Eventually, these asbestos fibers can cause |
| The Secretary of the Navy opened the shipyard | | | | serious illnesses, such as mesothelioma, asbestosis |
| to construct ships for the country's defense and | | | | and lung cancer. |
| to repair those that had been damaged. The USS | | | | The Boston Naval Shipyard used asbestos |
| Independence was the first vessel built at the | | | | extensively during shipbuilding, particularly after it |
| Boston Naval Shipyard, and many other Navy | | | | began utilizing steel and metal for hulls and various |
| ships followed. Destroyers, submarines, destroyer | | | | other parts. According to the U.S Navy, nearly |
| escorts, barrack ships, tank landing ships and | | | | 300 asbestos-containing products were used |
| motor tugs were among the ships constructed at | | | | regularly in the shipbuilding process. Although the |
| the Boston Naval Shipyard. The shipyard was also | | | | health effects of asbestos were recorded as |
| commonly used to repair and store ships. | | | | early as the 1920s, those working with the |
| The Boston Naval Shipyard was active during | | | | mineral were unaware of its dangers until the mid |
| several different wars, including the Spanish | | | | to late 1900s. As a result, shipbuilders, Navy |
| American War, World War I and World War II. | | | | veterans and naval contractors, among others, |
| During the Second World War, the shipyard | | | | may have been exposed to asbestos fibers in |
| employed a record-high 50,000 workers. This was | | | | dangerous amounts. Although the Navy banned |
| mostly in response to an array of attacks from | | | | asbestos use in 1973, many workers had already |
| German submarines that destroyed and sank | | | | been exposed to the harmful mineral. |
| countless naval vessels. | | | | In 1974, the Boston Naval Shipyard was closed |
| Throughout its history, the Massachusetts | | | | down as part of a government cost-saving plan. |
| shipyard employed a variety of workers including | | | | As the dangers of asbestos became public in the |
| shipbuilders, plumbers, machinists, electricians, sail | | | | 1970s, any asbestos products left behind at the |
| makers, blacksmiths and carpenters. | | | | shipyard had to be cleaned up and removed |
| Unfortunately, many of these workers may have | | | | properly. Several acres of the Boston Naval |
| been exposed to the toxic mineral asbestos. | | | | Shipyard are now part of the Boston National |
| Asbestos refers to a group of six minerals that | | | | Historical Park. |
| were widely used for their heat resistance and | | | | |