Naval Station San Diego Naval Station San Diego is the principal homeport of the Pacific Fleet's surface ships. Ship maintenance, repair operations, and shore facility management exposed thousands of sailors and civilian workers to asbestos over decades of operations.
Last verified: 2026-03-09Naval Station San Diego has served as a major fleet base since World War I and expanded dramatically during World War II. Hundreds of ships docked at the station underwent maintenance and repair using asbestos-containing materials. Shore facilities including piers, warehouses, administrative buildings, and housing were constructed with asbestos products. The station remains one of the Navy's largest installations.
Sailors performed routine maintenance aboard ships that contained asbestos throughout their mechanical and structural systems. Dockside repair crews removed and installed asbestos insulation on pipes, boilers, and machinery. Shore-based personnel working in buildings constructed before 1980 encountered asbestos in floor tiles, ceiling materials, and pipe insulation.
The following job categories at Naval Station San Diego had the highest risk of asbestos exposure:
Veterans and civilian workers from Naval Station San Diego have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. The high volume of ship maintenance and repair work at the station created sustained exposure for dockside and shipboard personnel over many years of service.
Health information is based on established medical research on asbestos exposure. Asbestos is classified as a known human carcinogen by the National Cancer Institute, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Consult a physician for medical advice specific to your situation.
Workers exposed to asbestos at Naval Station San Diego may be entitled to compensation through asbestos trust funds, personal injury lawsuits, or veterans benefits. Mesothelioma patients and their families have recovered billions in compensation from companies that manufactured or used asbestos products.
Find Out If You QualifyWorkers who were employed at Naval Station San Diego between 1940s–1980s may have been exposed to asbestos-containing materials. If you've been diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer, or asbestosis, you may have legal options including trust fund claims and lawsuits.
If you were exposed to asbestos at Naval Station San Diego and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, these specialized treatment centers in California may be able to help.
Virtually all Navy ships built before the mid-1970s contained asbestos in insulation, gaskets, packing, and other components. Ships homeported at Naval Station San Diego during this era exposed sailors to asbestos during routine operations and maintenance.
Yes. Workers who repaired and maintained ships at the San Diego waterfront faced significant asbestos exposure. Removing old insulation, cutting pipe lagging, and working in confined shipboard spaces created high-concentration exposure events.
Veterans may file VA disability claims for asbestos-related diseases connected to their service. They may also pursue legal claims against companies that manufactured or supplied asbestos products used aboard Navy ships and at shore facilities.
If you or a loved one worked at Naval Station San Diego and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer, or asbestosis, our attorneys can help you explore your legal options. There is no cost, no pressure, and no obligation.
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