Yarway Corporation, headquartered in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, was a specialized manufacturer of steam traps, pressure-reducing valves, temperature regulators, and steam conditioning equipment for industrial steam power plant applications throughout the mid-twentieth century. Yarway steam traps and control valves were installed in United States Navy steam propulsion plant auxiliary steam systems to manage condensate removal, pressure regulation, and steam flow control in the heating, ventilating, and auxiliary service steam systems of naval vessels. Yarway thermostatic steam traps and float-and-thermostatic steam traps were installed in steam distribution piping throughout naval vessel engineering spaces and accommodation spaces. According to asbestos litigation records, Yarway steam trap bodies and control valve bodies incorporated asbestos-containing compressed gasket materials at body cover flanges and connection faces, and Yarway control valves incorporated asbestos-containing stem packing in valve stuffing boxes, creating exposure for Machinist’s Mates who serviced steam trap assemblies and control valve assemblies in naval vessel steam distribution systems.

Yarway Steam Trap Asbestos

Yarway steam trap assemblies incorporated asbestos in body sealing components:

  • Steam trap body cover gaskets — Yarway steam trap body covers incorporated asbestos-containing compressed gasket materials at the steam trap body cover seating faces. Machinist’s Mates removing Yarway steam trap body covers for internal trap mechanism inspection, strainer cleaning, or float assembly replacement encountered and replaced the asbestos-containing body cover gasket material during each steam trap maintenance operation
  • Steam trap inlet and outlet connection gaskets — Yarway steam trap inlet and outlet pipe connection flanges incorporated asbestos-containing compressed gasket materials at the trap connection faces. Machinist’s Mates removing steam traps from the piping system for maintenance or replacement encountered asbestos-containing connection gasket materials at each steam trap removal and reinstallation

Yarway Control Valve Asbestos

Yarway pressure-reducing and control valves incorporated asbestos in sealing components:

  • Control valve stem stuffing box packing — Yarway pressure-reducing valves and temperature control valves incorporated asbestos-containing braided packing in the valve stem stuffing boxes. Machinist’s Mates repacking Yarway control valve stem stuffing boxes during steam system maintenance removed and replaced the asbestos-containing stem packing material, with worn packing removal releasing asbestos fiber in the engineering space
  • Control valve body bonnet gaskets — Yarway control valve bodies incorporated asbestos-containing compressed gasket materials at the valve body bonnet connection faces. Machinist’s Mates removing Yarway control valve bonnets for diaphragm inspection or valve trim maintenance encountered asbestos-containing bonnet gasket materials during valve disassembly

VA Claims for Veterans Exposed to Yarway Products

VA presumptive service connection under 38 CFR § 3.309(d) covers asbestos exposure from Navy steam system maintenance. Machinist’s Mates who performed steam trap and control valve maintenance on Yarway 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.