De Laval (later operating as part of IMO Industries) was one of the foremost manufacturers of high-speed steam turbines, centrifugal pumps, separators, and related rotating machinery for industrial and naval applications. De Laval’s naval products were among the most widely used auxiliary machinery aboard United States Navy ships — De Laval turbines powered ship’s service generators and auxiliary equipment, and De Laval centrifugal pumps circulated seawater, fuel oil, lube oil, and feedwater throughout the engineering plants of destroyers, cruisers, and carriers. De Laval pumps and associated equipment used asbestos-containing gaskets and packing throughout their service life, and were installed on specific ship classes — including the CL-55 Cleveland-class light cruisers — with documented asbestos specifications. Publicly filed asbestos litigation records document De Laval with asbestos gasket and packing documentation, Navy compliance specifications, CL-55 class cruiser installation records, and De Laval Steam Turbine division documentation.

Documented Asbestos in De Laval / IMO Navy Equipment

Asbestos Gaskets and Packing — Product Documentation

CL-55 Cleveland-Class Cruisers — Specific Ship Class Documentation

De Laval Steam Turbine Division

Asbestos Exposure Pathways for De Laval Equipment

Pump gasket replacement: De Laval centrifugal pump casing covers and stuffing box glands used asbestos gaskets throughout the relevant era. Pump overhaul — performed by Machinist’s Mates aboard ship and by shipyard workers during overhaul — required removal and replacement of these gaskets, generating asbestos dust.

Shaft packing: De Laval centrifugal pump shaft seals used asbestos braided packing throughout the relevant era. Regular repacking of pump stuffing boxes was a routine MM and MR maintenance task.

Turbine insulation and gaskets: De Laval auxiliary steam turbines were insulated with asbestos blanket and had asbestos gaskets on all steam chest and exhaust flanges. Turbine maintenance involved removing and replacing these components.

Sharples separator maintenance: De Laval’s associated Sharples centrifugal separators — used for fuel oil and lube oil purification aboard ships — similarly used asbestos-containing gaskets and packing in their bowl assemblies.

Who Was Exposed to De Laval Equipment Asbestos

  • Machinist’s Mates (MM) — maintained De Laval pumps and auxiliary turbines in the main engineroom and auxiliary machinery rooms
  • Machinery Repairmen (MR) — performed De Laval pump and turbine overhaul and repair
  • Shipyard workers at Navy and private shipyards who installed De Laval equipment aboard Cleveland-class cruisers and other vessels
  • All engineering ratings aboard CL-55 class light cruisers where De Laval pumps were specifically documented

VA Claims and Legal Options — IMO / De Laval Navy Pumps

Navy veterans who maintained De Laval pumps or turbines aboard Navy ships — particularly Cleveland-class cruisers — and shipyard workers who installed or overhauled De Laval equipment, who subsequently developed mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, asbestosis, or pleural disease may qualify for:

  • VA service connection under VA asbestos-claim guidance for veterans with MM or MR ratings who served aboard ships with documented De Laval equipment
  • Civil claims against IMO Industries / De Laval (and successors) based on failure to warn about asbestos in pump and turbine components supplied to the Navy

Key documents for a De Laval asbestos claim:

  • DD-214 or service records — documenting MM or MR rating and ship assignments, particularly CL-55 class cruisers
  • Ship records — identifying De Laval pump and turbine installations
  • Diagnosis — mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, asbestosis, or pleural disease

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Exposure documentation derived from publicly filed asbestos litigation records including De Laval pump asbestos gasket and packing documentation, Navy specification compliance records, De Laval pump installation records for CL-55 Cleveland-class cruisers, and De Laval Steam Turbine Company documentation in the national asbestos mesothelioma litigation record. This does not constitute legal or medical advice.