Worthington Pump and Machinery Corporation, headquartered in Harrison, New Jersey, was one of the United States’ foremost manufacturers of boiler feed pumps, condensate pumps, and centrifugal pumps for steam power plant applications throughout the mid-twentieth century. Worthington boiler feed pumps were installed in United States Navy vessel steam propulsion plants as the main boiler feed pumps delivering high-pressure feedwater from the condensate system to the boilers, and as condensate extraction pumps removing condensate from the main propulsion condensers. Worthington feed pumps were critical propulsion plant components serving aboard destroyers, cruisers, and carriers equipped with steam propulsion systems. According to asbestos litigation records, Worthington pump assemblies incorporated asbestos-containing shaft packing in pump shaft stuffing boxes and asbestos-containing compressed gasket materials at casing cover flanges, creating exposure for Machinist’s Mates who performed boiler feed pump maintenance in naval vessel engine rooms and auxiliary machinery spaces.

Boiler Feed Pump Asbestos

Worthington pump assemblies incorporated asbestos in shaft and casing sealing:

  • Boiler feed pump shaft stuffing box packing — Worthington boiler feed pumps incorporated asbestos-containing braided packing in the pump shaft stuffing boxes at the high-pressure shaft exit from the pump casing. Machinist’s Mates repacking Worthington feed pump shaft stuffing boxes in the engine room and auxiliary machinery space of steam-powered naval vessels removed and replaced the asbestos-containing shaft packing material during each repacking operation, with direct handling of the old asbestos packing during removal releasing asbestos fiber in the confined engineering space
  • Boiler feed pump casing cover gaskets — Worthington boiler feed pump casings incorporated asbestos-containing compressed gasket materials at pump casing cover flanges. Machinist’s Mates removing Worthington feed pump casing covers for impeller inspection, clearance measurement, or wear ring replacement encountered and replaced the asbestos-containing casing cover gasket material during each pump casing access operation
  • Feed pump discharge and suction flange gaskets — the suction and discharge connection flanges on Worthington boiler feed pumps incorporated asbestos-containing compressed gasket materials at the pump flange faces. Machinist’s Mates servicing feed pump suction and discharge piping connections encountered asbestos gasket materials at pump flanges during piping maintenance and pump removal operations

VA Claims for Veterans Exposed to Worthington 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 performed boiler feed pump maintenance on Worthington pump installations in naval vessel steam propulsion plants and have since been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, or asbestos-related lung cancer may qualify for VA disability benefits.