Naval Station Norfolk Naval Station Norfolk is the world's largest naval base, homeport to the Atlantic Fleet. Decades of ship maintenance, building construction, and facility operations exposed thousands of service members and civilian workers to asbestos throughout the installation.
Last verified: 2026-03-09Commissioned in 1917, Naval Station Norfolk expanded enormously during World War II and has remained the Navy's primary East Coast hub. Ships docked at Norfolk were maintained, repaired, and overhauled using asbestos-containing materials in boiler rooms, engine rooms, and throughout their hulls. Shore-based facilities built from the 1940s through the 1980s also contained extensive asbestos materials.
Sailors working aboard ships encountered asbestos in engine rooms, boiler rooms, and pipe systems. Dockside repair crews removed and replaced asbestos insulation without adequate protection, especially before the 1980s. Shore-based personnel were exposed through deteriorating building materials in barracks, offices, and maintenance facilities across the sprawling installation.
The following job categories at Naval Station Norfolk had the highest risk of asbestos exposure:
Veterans stationed at Naval Station Norfolk have developed mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. Navy veterans generally face among the highest asbestos exposure risks of any military branch due to the extensive use of asbestos aboard ships. The VA has processed thousands of asbestos-related disability claims from Norfolk personnel.
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 Norfolk 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 Norfolk 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 Norfolk and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, these specialized treatment centers in Virginia may be able to help.
The Navy used asbestos extensively for fire protection, heat insulation, and soundproofing aboard ships and in shore facilities. Norfolk's role as the fleet's home port meant constant ship maintenance involving asbestos-containing materials.
Boiler technicians, enginemen, pipefitters, and hull maintenance technicians aboard ships faced the highest exposure levels. Shore-based HVAC workers, insulation installers, and building maintenance crews were also heavily exposed.
Veterans should file a VA disability claim citing asbestos exposure during service at Naval Station Norfolk. Medical records, service records documenting their duty station, and a diagnosis from a physician are key supporting documents.
If you or a loved one worked at Naval Station Norfolk 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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