Asbestos Atlas — U.S. Shipyard Exposure Map

Kittery, ME · Rinsky 1988 · Zaebst 2009

Case-control and retrospective exposure reconstruction. OR 1.8–2.4 for lung cancer in highest asbestos exposure quartile. 10 verified evidence records.

Honolulu, HI · Kolonel 1985 · Sinks 1994

7,971-worker cohort (SMR 11.6× for mesothelioma) and population-based case-control (OR ~10). 6 verified evidence records.

Bremerton, WA · DTIC AD0715808 · Harries 1976 · Gochfeld 2009

40–150 f/cc peak fiber concentration (8–30× TLV), 21% pulmonary abnormality rate in pipe coverers. EPA ranked 17th most toxic U.S. site (1993). 6 verified evidence records.

Baltimore, MD · Krstev 2007 · ATSDR 2004 · EPA ROD

SMR 5.07 for mesothelioma in a 4,702-worker cohort — 5× the expected rate. ATSDR confirmed occupational asbestos exposure pathway. EPA Superfund site MD4690307844.

Long Beach, CA · Felton 1979 · Kilburn 1985 · Marr 1964

16% of 6,640 surveyed workers had radiographic asbestos disease — rising to 38% among older workers. Take-home disease in 11.3% of wives. Amosite products named by yard hygienist.

Kearny, NJ · OI Industrial Health Survey (1944)

52,000 peak workers (1943) — largest single-yard workforce in the dataset. 1944 Owens-Illinois survey documented JM Superex pipe covering in confined spaces; became OI Interrogatory Exhibit #20 in Heathman v. Owens-Corning (1990). #2 U.S. destroyer builder in WWII.

Sausalito, CA · USMC IHS Pacific Coast (1942–44)

20,000 peak workers built 93 ships — 15 Liberty Ships, 16 fleet oilers, 62 T2 tankers — in 3½ years. USMC industrial hygiene surveys documented amosite pipe covering and boiler block insulation in confined engine rooms. W.A. Simons Trust confirms exposure window 1940–1969. Site of James v. Marinship (1944), argued by Thurgood Marshall.

Oakland, CA · Fleischer-Drinker 1946 · W.A. Simons Trust (H)

~37,000 peak workers built 100+ ships on the Oakland Estuary, ranking 82nd in U.S. war production. Fleischer-Drinker 1946 USMC survey documented amosite pipe covering in confined spaces — now facing retraction (C&EN, July 2026). W.A. Simons Trust: Exposure Level H (High). Origin of the landmark 'Moore Dry Dock Standards' for secondary picketing (NLRB 1950).

Chester, PA · Lilley v. Johns-Manville, 408 Pa. Super. 83 (1991)

35,633 peak workers — the world's largest single shipyard in 1943 — built ~40% of the U.S. wartime oil tanker fleet (281 T2 tankers). Lilley v. Johns-Manville (1991): pipefitter identified 10 asbestos product brands by label; testified clothes and body were covered with fibers daily. $250K jury verdict. Also built the Hughes Glomar Explorer (CIA, 1972) and SS El Faro (lost 2015).

Bath, ME · OSHA $4.2M fine (1987); NIOSH HHE 89-0273-2000 (1990); Drinker 1942

12,000 peak workers — launched a destroyer every 17 days in WWII (83 total, largest output of any builder). OSHA levied a $4.2M fine in 1987 after documenting asbestos dust at 40% in areas declared 'asbestos-free.' Two NIOSH HHEs (1990, 1996) confirmed fiber exposures. Only yard in the dataset still operating (General Dynamics, DDG-51 Arleigh Burke-class).