Kerotest Manufacturing Corporation, headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, manufactured gate valves, check valves, and piping utility equipment for industrial process and naval vessel applications throughout the mid-twentieth century. Kerotest gate valves and associated utility piping valves were installed in United States Navy vessels as components of fresh water distribution systems, fuel oil transfer systems, firefighting systems, and general utility piping systems aboard destroyers, cruisers, amphibious ships, and auxiliary vessels. According to asbestos litigation records, Kerotest valve assemblies incorporated asbestos-containing stem packing at the valve stem gland seal and asbestos-containing compressed gasket materials at valve body bonnet connections and at flanged piping connections, creating asbestos exposure for Damage Controlmen and other ratings who maintained Kerotest valve installations in naval vessel utility systems.

Kerotest Valve Asbestos

Kerotest gate valve and check valve assemblies incorporated asbestos in valve sealing:

  • Gate valve stem packing — Kerotest gate valves installed in Navy vessel fresh water, fuel oil, and utility piping systems incorporated asbestos-containing stem packing material at the valve stem gland seal. Damage Controlmen and Machinist’s Mates performing valve repacking operations on Kerotest gate valves in Navy vessel utility systems removed and replaced asbestos-containing stem packing during maintenance, generating asbestos dust during packing removal and installation
  • Valve bonnet gaskets — Kerotest gate valve bonnet connections incorporated asbestos-containing compressed gasket materials at the bonnet-to-body flange face. Damage Controlmen disassembling Kerotest gate valves for wedge disc inspection or internal seat repair encountered asbestos-containing bonnet gasket materials during valve teardown operations
  • Flanged connection gaskets — Kerotest valves installed with flanged connections to the piping system incorporated asbestos-containing compressed gasket materials at the valve inlet and outlet flange faces. Damage Controlmen removing Kerotest valves from the piping system for overhaul or replacement encountered asbestos-containing flange gasket materials at each piping connection

VA Claims for Veterans Exposed to Kerotest Products

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