Puget Sound Naval Shipyard

The Puget Sound Naval Shipyard has been in the business of recycling nuclear-powered submarines and United States ships since 1965. This company recycles body scraps, nuclear reactors, and toxic waste.

The Puget Sound Naval Shipyard is one of the oldest shipyards in the United States. It began as a Naval Station in 1891 and changed to a Navy yard during the First World War. It is located in Bremerton, Washington and has been renovated constantly since its opening. This shipyard is known for modernizing ships and housing the first nuclear submarine in 1965.

The United States Navy also gave the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard the authority to recycle old ships and keep toxic waste from being dumped in the sea. By 1990, the shipyard created a recycling method that allowed workers to deactivate the nuclear reactors in these submarines and safely remove nuclear waste. This also allowed the workers to recycle metal and ship components without danger of radiation poisoning.

The problem with salvaging old ships is the amount of asbestos exposure that occurs. Many of these ships will have asbestos as an insulator or in the fireproofing for pipes and electrical components. When breaking down ships, many asbestos fibers are released into the air and can be easily inhaled by workers who do not have a safety mask. Those who breathe in these fibers run a high risk for developing mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma is a disease that occurs when a person inhales asbestos and the fibers lodge themselves in the heart, lungs, or abdominal cavities. These fibers do not break down and are hard for the body to remove. If not treated early, these fibers will result in inflammation that will develop into mesothelioma. If you work at a shipyard, you should always wear a mask, uniform, and boots. This equipment should be left at the site to prevent secondary exposure of asbestos to family members. Detecting mesothelioma in its early stages is your best weapon to dealing with this deadly disease.