American Standard Inc., a major diversified manufacturer of plumbing products, heating equipment, and industrial valves headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, supplied plumbing fixtures and valve equipment for commercial, industrial, and naval applications throughout the mid-twentieth century. American Standard valves and associated plumbing hardware were installed in United States Navy vessels as components of fresh water distribution systems, sanitary systems, and auxiliary steam and heating systems aboard destroyers, cruisers, amphibious ships, and auxiliary vessels. According to asbestos litigation records, American Standard valve assemblies installed in Navy vessel systems incorporated asbestos-containing stem packing at valve stem glands and asbestos-containing compressed gasket materials at valve body flanges and bonnet connections, creating asbestos exposure for Damage Controlmen and other ratings who maintained valve installations in naval vessel piping systems.

American Standard Valve Asbestos

American Standard valve assemblies incorporated asbestos in valve packing and sealing:

  • Valve stem packing — American Standard valves installed in Navy vessel fresh water, sanitary, and auxiliary steam systems incorporated asbestos-containing stem packing material at the valve stem gland seal. Damage Controlmen and Machinist’s Mates performing valve repacking operations on American Standard gate valves, globe valves, and angle valves in Navy vessel piping systems removed and replaced asbestos-containing stem packing materials during valve maintenance
  • Valve bonnet and body gaskets — American Standard valve bonnet connections and body flange joints incorporated asbestos-containing compressed gasket materials at the bonnet-to-body and bonnet-to-gland flange faces. Damage Controlmen disassembling American Standard valves for internal inspection or repair encountered asbestos-containing bonnet gasket materials during valve teardown operations
  • Flanged connection gaskets — American Standard valves installed with flanged piping connections incorporated asbestos-containing compressed gasket materials at the valve inlet and outlet flange faces connecting the valve to the piping system. Damage Controlmen removing American Standard valves from the piping system encountered asbestos-containing flange gasket materials at each valve connection

VA Claims for Veterans Exposed to American Standard Products

VA presumptive service connection under 38 CFR § 3.309(d) covers asbestos exposure from Navy vessel plumbing and valve maintenance. Damage Controlmen and other ratings who maintained American Standard valve installations in naval vessel piping systems and have since been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, or asbestos-related lung cancer may qualify for VA disability benefits.