Borg-Warner Corporation, a major diversified manufacturer headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, operated the Byron Jackson pump division manufacturing centrifugal pumps for industrial and marine fluid handling applications — including pumps used in US Navy auxiliary engineering systems aboard surface ships and submarines. Byron Jackson centrifugal pumps (marketed under both the Byron Jackson and Borg-Warner names) appeared in Navy auxiliary seawater systems, freshwater service, bilge systems, and fuel oil transfer applications throughout the fleet.

Asbestos in Borg-Warner/Byron Jackson Pump Components

Byron Jackson pumps used asbestos-containing materials in pump shaft sealing and casing joint sealing:

  • Mechanical shaft seals with asbestos components — early Byron Jackson centrifugal pumps used mechanical shaft seals with asbestos-containing seal face materials or asbestos packing rings in the seal assembly. Machinist’s Mates and Hull Technicians replacing failed shaft seals on Byron Jackson auxiliary pumps worked with asbestos-containing seal components in the pump overhaul process
  • Stuffing box packing — older Byron Jackson pump designs using compression packing stuffing boxes rather than mechanical seals used asbestos-impregnated braided packing in the stuffing box, disturbed at each repacking interval during routine pump maintenance
  • Pump casing gaskets — the bolted split-casing design used in some Byron Jackson centrifugal pumps used asbestos-containing gaskets at the casing split joint, disturbed at each major pump overhaul requiring casing disassembly

Auxiliary Engineering System Applications

Borg-Warner/Byron Jackson pumps served in Navy auxiliary engineering applications:

  • Auxiliary seawater service pumps — seawater cooling pumps serving auxiliary machinery coolers, main condenser vacuum maintenance, and general auxiliary cooling service used Byron Jackson centrifugal pumps throughout the surface ship fleet
  • Bilge and drainage pumps — the bilge pumping systems aboard surface ships and submarines used centrifugal pump designs for normal bilge drainage maintenance
  • Freshwater service pumps — fresh water service pumps supplying domestic water and auxiliary cooling used Byron Jackson pumps in the ship’s freshwater distribution system

VA Claims for Veterans Exposed to Borg-Warner Corporation Products

VA presumptive service connection under 38 CFR § 3.309(d) covers asbestos exposure from pump maintenance in Navy engineering plants. Engineering ratings who performed maintenance on Borg-Warner/Byron Jackson and other pump manufacturers’ products with asbestos-containing shaft seals and gaskets and have since been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, or asbestos-related lung cancer may qualify for VA disability benefits.