Ingersoll-Rand, headquartered in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey, was one of the United States’ major manufacturers of reciprocating air compressors, centrifugal compressors, and refrigeration equipment for industrial and naval applications throughout the mid-twentieth century. Ingersoll-Rand air compressors were installed in United States Navy shipboard compressed air plants providing high-pressure air for torpedo tube impulse charges, submarine ballast tank blowing systems, pneumatic tool supply, and general service compressed air aboard surface ships and submarines. Ingersoll-Rand reciprocating air compressors were also installed in Navy provision refrigeration plants and air conditioning systems aboard larger naval vessels. According to asbestos litigation records, Ingersoll-Rand air compressor assemblies incorporated asbestos-containing cylinder head gaskets at compressor cylinder-to-head joint faces and asbestos-containing valve plate gaskets in compressor discharge valve assemblies, creating exposure for Machinist’s Mates who performed air compressor maintenance and overhaul operations in naval vessel machinery spaces.

Ingersoll-Rand Air Compressor Asbestos

Ingersoll-Rand air compressor assemblies incorporated asbestos in cylinder and valve sealing:

  • Reciprocating compressor cylinder head gaskets — Ingersoll-Rand reciprocating air compressors installed in Navy compressed air plants incorporated asbestos-containing cylinder head gasket materials at the compressor cylinder-to-head joint faces. Machinist’s Mates performing compressor cylinder head removal and gasket replacement operations during air compressor overhaul handled the asbestos-containing cylinder head gasket material during each cylinder head maintenance operation
  • Compressor discharge valve plate gaskets — Ingersoll-Rand reciprocating compressor discharge valve assemblies incorporated asbestos-containing gasket materials at the discharge valve plate seating faces. Machinist’s Mates accessing and replacing Ingersoll-Rand compressor discharge valve assemblies during compressor maintenance encountered the asbestos-containing valve plate gasket materials during each valve maintenance operation
  • Compressor intercooler and aftercooler connection gaskets — the intercooler and aftercooler assemblies on multi-stage Ingersoll-Rand air compressors used in Navy high-pressure air plants incorporated asbestos-containing compressed gasket materials at cooler tube bundle connection flanges. Machinist’s Mates performing intercooler and aftercooler maintenance on Ingersoll-Rand high-pressure air compressors encountered asbestos-containing cooler connection gasket materials during cooler maintenance operations

Ingersoll-Rand Refrigeration Compressor Asbestos

Ingersoll-Rand refrigeration compressors incorporated asbestos in sealing components:

  • Refrigeration compressor cylinder head and valve gaskets — Ingersoll-Rand refrigeration compressors installed in Navy provision refrigeration plants incorporated asbestos-containing cylinder head gasket materials and valve plate gasket materials consistent with the refrigeration compressor construction of the Cold War period. Machinist’s Mates maintaining Ingersoll-Rand refrigeration compressors in naval vessel machinery spaces encountered asbestos-containing compressor gasket materials during refrigeration compressor maintenance

VA Claims for Veterans Exposed to Ingersoll-Rand Products

VA presumptive service connection under 38 CFR § 3.309(d) covers asbestos exposure from Navy air compressor and refrigeration maintenance. Machinist’s Mates who maintained Ingersoll-Rand compressor installations in naval vessel machinery spaces and have since been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, or asbestos-related lung cancer may qualify for VA disability benefits.