Asbestos Exposure Sites in Washington
Washington has 3 documented asbestos exposure sites spanning 2 industries. Workers at these facilities were exposed to asbestos-containing materials — often in shipyards, power plants, refineries, and manufacturing plants — and may be eligible for compensation through trust fund claims and lawsuits.
Asbestos Exposure in Washington
Washington State has a significant asbestos exposure legacy driven by its shipbuilding industry, military installations, and the Hanford nuclear site. The Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton is one of the largest naval shipyards in the world and has been a major source of asbestos exposure for generations of workers who built and maintained warships. The Kaiser Shipyards in Vancouver (across the river from Portland, Oregon) employed tens of thousands of workers during World War II. The Todd Pacific Shipyards in Seattle and Tacoma also exposed maritime workers to asbestos materials. The Hanford Site in southeastern Washington, which produced plutonium for nuclear weapons from 1943 through the late 1980s, used asbestos throughout its massive industrial facilities and is now the most contaminated nuclear site in the Western Hemisphere. Boeing's aircraft manufacturing operations in Seattle, Everett, and Renton used asbestos in aircraft components and factory insulation. Joint Base Lewis-McChord near Tacoma, Naval Station Everett, and other military installations contained asbestos. The Weyerhaeuser and other timber industry operations used asbestos in mill equipment insulation. The aluminum smelters in the Columbia Basin, including the former Alcoa plant in Vancouver, also used asbestos products. Washington provides a three-year statute of limitations from discovery for both personal injury and wrongful death claims.
Major industries linked to asbestos exposure in Washington: Shipbuilding, Nuclear weapons production, Aerospace manufacturing, Military installations, Timber and paper, Aluminum smelting.
Notable exposure sites: Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton; Hanford Nuclear Site, Richland; Boeing Everett/Renton facilities; Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Tacoma; Todd Pacific Shipyards, Seattle.
Frequently Asked Questions: Asbestos Exposure in Washington
What is Washington's statute of limitations for mesothelioma claims?
Washington has a three-year statute of limitations from the date of diagnosis or discovery for personal injury claims. Wrongful death claims also have a three-year filing period from the date of death.
Was the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard a major asbestos exposure site?
Yes. The Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton is one of the largest naval shipyards in the world and has been a significant source of asbestos exposure for generations of workers involved in ship construction, overhaul, and repair.
Were Hanford workers exposed to asbestos?
Yes. The Hanford nuclear weapons production site used asbestos extensively in its industrial facilities. Workers may have claims against asbestos manufacturers and may also qualify for federal compensation under the EEOICPA for illnesses related to nuclear weapons work.
Did Boeing workers encounter asbestos?
Yes. Boeing manufacturing facilities in the Seattle area used asbestos in aircraft components, including brakes and heat shields, as well as in factory insulation and building materials. Factory workers and maintenance personnel were exposed during production and facility upkeep.