Carrier Corporation, headquartered in Syracuse, New York and founded by Willis Carrier who invented modern air conditioning, was the preeminent manufacturer of centrifugal refrigeration machines and air conditioning systems for commercial, industrial, and naval applications throughout the twentieth century. Carrier centrifugal chillers were installed in United States Navy aircraft carriers, major surface combatants, command ships, and large auxiliary vessels providing shipboard air conditioning for crew habitability and critical electronic equipment cooling. Carrier centrifugal refrigeration machines using multi-stage centrifugal compressor technology and Freon refrigerants provided the large cooling capacities required for fleet flagship operations and carrier electronics cooling. According to asbestos litigation records, Carrier centrifugal chiller assemblies incorporated asbestos-containing gasket materials in chiller barrel and compressor casing connections, and Carrier air conditioning system installations incorporated asbestos-containing insulation on cold refrigerant piping and equipment, creating exposure for Machinist’s Mates who maintained Carrier air conditioning plant equipment aboard naval vessels.

Carrier Air Conditioning Equipment Asbestos

Carrier centrifugal chiller assemblies incorporated asbestos in equipment sealing and insulation:

  • Centrifugal chiller barrel head and tube sheet gaskets — Carrier centrifugal chiller barrel assemblies incorporated asbestos-containing compressed gasket materials at the chiller barrel head flanges and tube sheet connection faces. Machinist’s Mates removing Carrier chiller barrel heads for tube cleaning or tube inspection encountered and replaced the asbestos-containing barrel head gasket materials during each chiller tube maintenance access
  • Refrigerant compressor casing and impeller gaskets — Carrier centrifugal refrigeration compressor casings incorporated asbestos-containing compressed gasket materials at compressor casing joint faces. Machinist’s Mates removing Carrier compressor casings for impeller inspection or compressor bearing maintenance encountered asbestos-containing casing gasket materials during each compressor overhaul
  • Air conditioning system cold surface insulation — the cold refrigerant suction lines, chilled water distribution piping, and cold air handling equipment surfaces in Carrier air conditioning system installations incorporated pipe and equipment insulation to prevent condensation. Machinist’s Mates working in Carrier chiller plant rooms in proximity to the cold surface insulation accumulated background asbestos exposure from any asbestos-containing insulation present in the air conditioning system installation

VA Claims for Veterans Exposed to Carrier Products

VA evaluates asbestos-related disability claims on a case-by-case basis. Veterans generally need evidence of in-service asbestos exposure, a current asbestos-related diagnosis, and a medical link between them. Machinist’s Mates who maintained Carrier Corporation air conditioning plant installations aboard naval vessels and have since been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, or asbestos-related lung cancer may qualify for VA disability benefits.