Leslie Controls Inc., headquartered in Tampa, Florida, manufactured steam control valves, pressure regulating valves, desuperheating valves, and steam specialty equipment for naval vessel steam systems and industrial steam plant applications throughout the mid-twentieth century. Leslie Controls products were installed throughout United States Navy vessel main steam and auxiliary steam systems to control steam flow, reduce steam pressure to service levels, and regulate steam conditions for various shipboard consumers. Leslie Controls desuperheating valves and pressure reducing stations were used in Navy vessel steam systems to condition high-pressure superheated steam to the lower pressure and temperature conditions required by turbine-driven auxiliary equipment and service steam consumers. According to asbestos litigation records, Leslie Controls steam control valve assemblies incorporated asbestos-containing stem packing at valve stem gland seals and asbestos-containing body gasket materials at valve bonnet and body joint faces, creating asbestos exposure for Machinist’s Mates who maintained Leslie Controls valve installations in naval vessel engineering spaces.

Leslie Controls Valve Asbestos

Leslie Controls steam control valve assemblies incorporated asbestos in valve sealing:

  • Valve stem packing — Leslie Controls steam control valves installed in Navy vessel main steam and auxiliary steam systems incorporated asbestos-containing stem packing material at the valve stem gland seal. Machinist’s Mates performing valve repacking operations on Leslie Controls pressure regulating valves and control valves in the high-pressure and auxiliary steam systems removed and replaced asbestos-containing stem packing materials, generating asbestos dust during packing removal and replacement
  • Valve bonnet and body gaskets — Leslie Controls valve bonnet connections and body joint faces incorporated asbestos-containing compressed gasket materials at the bonnet-to-body interface. Machinist’s Mates disassembling Leslie Controls control valves for internal trim inspection, seat regrinding, or plug replacement encountered asbestos-containing bonnet and body gasket materials during valve teardown
  • Desuperheater and pressure reducing station gaskets — Leslie Controls desuperheating and pressure reducing station assemblies incorporated asbestos-containing gasket materials at the multiple flanged connections and body joint faces within the pressure reducing station. Machinist’s Mates maintaining Leslie Controls pressure reducing stations in Navy vessel steam systems encountered asbestos-containing gasket materials at each body and flange joint during maintenance operations

VA Claims for Veterans Exposed to Leslie Controls 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 and engineering ratings who maintained Leslie Controls valve installations in naval vessel steam systems and have since been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, or asbestos-related lung cancer may qualify for VA disability benefits.