Northwest Marine Ironworks was established in the mid-1950s after the expansive Portland Shipyard in Portland, Oregon, acquired neighboring property and developed new facilities. During its operations, workers faced the potential of asbestos exposure from the materials they used in their repair processes and from pre-existing asbestos in the vessels they serviced, as well as in later non-marine projects. These former employees now face the threat of being diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, and other asbestos-related health conditions.
Why Was Asbestos Used in Shipbuilding and Repair?
The use of asbestos was common in maritime construction during the early twentieth century: It was highly valued for its exceptional heat resistance and insulating capabilities. The U.S. Navy began requiring its use in submarine construction by 1922, specifically in components like gaskets, insulation, packing, and tape, and by 1939, the government had classified asbestos as strategically important and began accumulating massive reserves of the mineral.[1] As a result, from that time until the 1970s, when research identified it as cancer-causing, asbestos was a standard component for many industries, including shipbuilding, construction, steel and ironwork, and others.
Did Northwest Marine Ironworks Use Asbestos?
Northwest Marine Ironworks began operating in the mid-1950s, when asbestos use in shipbuilding and repair was the norm. The company flourished throughout the 1960s and 1970s, the same years when asbestos consumption in the United States reached record levels. Despite growing evidence of health risks, regulatory action was slow to develop: The Environmental Protection Agency wasn’t authorized to monitor asbestos use and disposal until the passage of The Clean Air Act of 1970, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) only formed in 1971 to establish workplace exposure guidelines.[2]
Even once OSHA had been established, it took years for it to formally declare asbestos carcinogenic or propose stricter exposure limits. It wasn’t until 1975, and implementation of comprehensive safety measures at shipyards like Northwest Marine Ironworks took years. Making matters worse, most vessels arriving for repair had been built decades earlier, when asbestos was used extensively. Legacy asbestos in those vessels that remained in place continued to put workers at risk.
History of Northwest Marine Ironworks
Northwest Marine Ironworks opened in the mid-1950s as part of the Portland Shipyard expansion. The company experienced significant growth during the 1960s and 1970s, becoming a $100 million enterprise that manufactured maritime components. It also contributed to major infrastructure projects, including the Aswan Dam, Bonneville Dam, and Portland’s Steel Bridge.[3]
The company’s portfolio included military contracts for vessels such as the U.S.S. Cushing, U.S.S. Duluth, USS Meyerkord, and U.S.C.G.C. Storis – all constructed during the era when asbestos was prevalent in shipbuilding.[4] Northwest Marine Ironworks operated in the Portland Harbor Area for more than 40 years, utilizing facilities at Portland Ship Yard and the former Port of Portland dry docks at Willamette Cove.
As the 1980s began, the business faced declining demand, made worse by the oil crisis. Eventually, the shipping corporation Southwest Marine acquired the business in the mid-1980s. Southwest departed the yard in 1993, effectively ending Northwest Marine Ironworks’ operational history. The facility was later included in the Portland Harbor Superfund sediment study area, with the Environmental Protection Agency designating a section of the lower Willamette River as a federal Superfund Site in December 2000.[5]
Today, the site where World War II vintage buildings were formerly home to Northwest Marine Ironworks, the area has gone through asbestos abatement and cleanup, and has been transformed into the NW Marine Art Works, a location that is home to more than 100 artist and maker studios. The site also hosts showings and sells merchandise.[3]
How Did Northwest Marine Ironworks Use Asbestos?
During the years it operated, Northwest Marine Ironworks employees were exposed to asbestos through both the repair materials they handled and the existing components in vessels undergoing maintenance. Maritime vessels constructed before the 1980s typically contained asbestos in nearly every system for fireproofing, insulation of propulsion equipment, and structural reinforcement, making exposure to airborne fibers almost inevitable during repair operations.
Even after asbestos became known as a health hazard and workplace safety regulations were put in place, workers remained vulnerable. Many had responsibilities that included removing asbestos-containing materials from existing equipment, often while working in confined spaces with inadequate ventilation and without proper protective equipment or respiratory protection.
Materials that would have exposed Northwest Marine Ironworks employees to asbestos include:
- Insulation
- Pipes and pipe coverings
- Boilers and boiler components
- Industrial cements
- Pumps and pump packing
- Gaskets and seals
- Valves
- Packing materials
- Textile products
- Heat-resistant ropes
- Protective gloves
- Fireproofing compounds
- Adhesives and sealants
- Hull coatings
- Ship interior materials
Beyond the workplace exposure to employees, the families of workers at Northwest Marine were at risk of secondary exposure from asbestos fibers carried home on workers’ work clothes, skin, and hair. Hundreds of spouses of individuals who worked directly with asbestos have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and related diseases after years of handling and washing contaminated work attire.
Were You Exposed to Asbestos at Northwest Marine Ironworks?
Asbestos exposure has been linked to malignant mesothelioma, asbestosis, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related conditions. Even if you currently feel healthy, understanding the dangers of asbestos exposure is important. The diseases linked to asbestos have very long latency periods, which means it can take decades for symptoms to appear. Making matters worse, the symptoms of mesothelioma are very similar to those of everyday illnesses like the flu, pneumonia, or bronchitis, and this can lead patients to ignore symptoms for a while, and medical professionals to initially overlook the true diagnosis. Mesothelioma is only diagnosed in about 3,500 patients per year, and most physicians are either unfamiliar with it or unlikely to include it in a differential diagnosis unless they are aware of a history of asbestos exposure. Make sure that you inform all your healthcare providers about your risk factors so they can respond appropriately if concerning symptoms develop.
If you or someone close to you has received an asbestos-related diagnosis, you may be eligible for compensation from the companies that supplied asbestos materials to the shipyard or ships that you worked on. After you’ve seen your doctor and a treatment plan is in place, the best place for you to get answers and options is an experienced asbestos attorney. These knowledgeable professionals can guide you through the process of filing personal injury claims or accessing monies set aside in trust funds by asbestos companies that were forced to seek bankruptcy protection due to their asbestos liabilities. Every case is different, but most lawsuits are resolved in out-of-court settlements that provide victims and their family members with compensation to cover medical expenses, loss of income, pain and suffering, and other damages.
References
View All References
