Get in Touch
Have questions? Call or chat with our Patient Advocates for answers.
Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard is part of arguably the most famous Navy installation in the United States. The bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941 brought the United States into World War II, but the facility's shipyard has another legacy. Since World War II, more than 10,000 workers were exposed to asbestos at Pearl Harbor.
Written by Aaron Munz | Edited By Walter Pacheco | Last Update: August 25, 2023
The Navy’s Pearl Harbor Complex, shipyard included, is a Superfund cleanup site for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Superfund is an EPA program geared towards cleaning up hazardous waste sites throughout the United States.
Asbestos remediation is still underway at Pearl Harbor, so current employees should be aware of the risks to avoid exposure.
Those previously exposed remain at risk of mesothelioma cancer.
In 2021, the International Journal of Environmental Health Research published a review. It found seafarers from Nordic countries have more than double the risk of developing mesothelioma.
Learn about your diagnosis, top doctors and how to pay for treatment.
Get Your Free GuideThe shipyard is located within the Pearl Harbor Naval Station complex. The yard sits on 112 acres and contains 114 buildings and four dry docks. They provide full-service maintenance and technical support to the U.S. Navy in the greater Pacific.
The yard continues a modernization plan to create a safe and secure working environment for shipyard workers.
In July 2011, the U.S. Navy started the construction of a $15.8 million production services support facility near Dry Dock 1. The U.S. Navy has been renovating and rebuilding new structures constructed during World War II. The Navy has torn down 257 buildings in the past two decades and plans to demolish 121 more in the shipyard and throughout the entire complex.
In 2010, the Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor and the U.S. Navy signed a deal for the renovation of Ford Isle tower that could cost $10 million. Ken DeHoff, executive director of the museum, said asbestos was present in the ceiling and floor tiles of the facility.
Other structures in the shipyard contaminated with asbestos include:
Today, thanks to remediation and safety measures, the shipyard is much less toxic than in the past. People are still advised to take precautions with older building materials in the yard.
Recommended ReadingYour web browser is no longer supported by Microsoft. Update your browser for more security, speed and compatibility.
If you are looking for mesothelioma support, please contact our Patient Advocates at (855) 404-4592
The Mesothelioma Center at Asbestos.com has provided patients and their loved ones the most updated and reliable information on mesothelioma and asbestos exposure since 2006.
Our team of Patient Advocates includes a medical doctor, a registered nurse, health services administrators, veterans, VA-accredited Claims Agents, an oncology patient navigator and hospice care expert. Their combined expertise means we help any mesothelioma patient or loved one through every step of their cancer journey.
More than 30 contributors, including mesothelioma doctors, survivors, health care professionals and other experts, have peer-reviewed our website and written unique research-driven articles to ensure you get the highest-quality medical and health information.
My family has only the highest compliment for the assistance and support that we received from The Mesothelioma Center. This is a staff of compassionate and knowledgeable individuals who respect what your family is experiencing and who go the extra mile to make an unfortunate diagnosis less stressful. Information and assistance were provided by The Mesothelioma Center at no cost to our family.LashawnMesothelioma patient’s daughter
Munz, A. (2023, August 25). Pearl Harbor Shipyard. Asbestos.com. Retrieved October 9, 2024, from https://www.asbestos.com/shipyards/pearl-harbor/
Munz, Aaron. "Pearl Harbor Shipyard." Asbestos.com, 25 Aug 2023, https://www.asbestos.com/shipyards/pearl-harbor/.
Munz, Aaron. "Pearl Harbor Shipyard." Asbestos.com. Last modified August 25, 2023. https://www.asbestos.com/shipyards/pearl-harbor/.
Mesothelioma Center - Vital Services for Cancer Patients & Families doesn’t believe in selling customer information. However, as required by the new California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), you may record your preference to view or remove your personal information by completing the form below.