California has a long history of industrial asbestos use. From the shipyards of San Francisco Bay to the oil refineries of the East Bay and the military installations of the Sacramento Valley, hundreds of thousands of California workers were exposed to deadly asbestos fibers over the course of the 20th century. Many of these workers — and in some cases their family members — have developed mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related diseases decades after their exposure.
Below is a partial list of significant asbestos exposure sites across California, organized by region. If you worked at any of these facilities or in similar industrial settings, you may have been exposed to asbestos.
Bay Area
Hunters Point Naval Shipyard
One of the largest naval shipyards on the West Coast, Hunters Point employed thousands of workers who were exposed to asbestos in ship construction, repair, and overhaul operations. Asbestos was used extensively in insulation, pipe covering, boiler rooms, and engine compartments.
Mare Island Naval Shipyard
Operating from 1854 to 1996, Mare Island was California's first naval shipyard. Workers in construction, maintenance, and repair trades were routinely exposed to asbestos-containing materials used throughout naval vessels and shipyard facilities.
Chevron Richmond Refinery
One of the largest oil refineries on the West Coast, the Chevron Richmond facility used asbestos insulation, gaskets, and pipe covering extensively throughout its operations. Refinery workers, pipefitters, and maintenance personnel were at particular risk of exposure.
Shell Martinez Refinery
The Shell Martinez refinery, one of the oldest in California, used asbestos-containing materials in insulation, gaskets, and equipment throughout the facility. Workers involved in maintenance, turnaround operations, and construction were exposed to asbestos fibers.
PG&E Facilities
Pacific Gas & Electric operated multiple power generation facilities across the Bay Area where asbestos was used in boilers, turbines, pipe insulation, and electrical components. Workers at these plants, including electricians, boilermakers, and maintenance personnel, faced significant asbestos exposure.
Sacramento Valley
McClellan Air Force Base
McClellan AFB was a major Air Force logistics and maintenance center where asbestos was used in aircraft maintenance, building construction, and industrial operations. Military personnel and civilian employees were exposed to asbestos in hangars, repair shops, and base buildings.
Mather Air Force Base
Mather AFB, which operated until 1993, used asbestos-containing materials in base construction and aircraft maintenance. The site has been designated a Superfund location due to contamination, including asbestos.
Aerojet General Corporation
Aerojet manufactured rocket propulsion systems and used asbestos in heat shields, insulation, and manufacturing processes. Workers in production, testing, and facility maintenance were exposed to asbestos-containing materials.
Sacramento Railyards
The historic Sacramento railyards, one of the largest railroad repair facilities in the West, used asbestos in locomotive insulation, brake linings, and building materials. Railroad workers, mechanics, and tradespeople were routinely exposed to asbestos during maintenance and repair operations.
Los Angeles & Southern California
Long Beach Naval Shipyard
The Long Beach Naval Shipyard was a major facility for ship construction, repair, and overhaul. Like other naval shipyards, asbestos was used extensively in insulation, fireproofing, and pipe covering throughout the vessels and shore facilities.
NASSCO San Diego
National Steel and Shipbuilding Company (NASSCO) has been building and repairing ships in San Diego since 1960. Workers in construction, welding, insulation, and painting trades were exposed to asbestos-containing materials used in ship construction.
El Segundo Refineries
The Chevron El Segundo refinery and surrounding petroleum facilities used asbestos insulation, gaskets, and equipment components extensively. Refinery workers, contractors, and maintenance personnel were at risk of asbestos exposure throughout their careers.
Aerospace Facilities
Southern California's aerospace industry, including facilities operated by Lockheed, Northrop Grumman, Boeing, and Hughes Aircraft, used asbestos in aircraft components, heat shields, and manufacturing processes. Workers across these facilities were exposed to asbestos-containing materials.
This is not an exhaustive list. Asbestos was used in thousands of workplaces, products, and buildings throughout California. If you worked at a facility in California and were exposed to asbestos — or if you believe a family member was exposed — contact us for a free consultation. Our attorneys can investigate your exposure history and determine whether you have a viable claim.
For a more comprehensive database of asbestos exposure sites nationwide, visit our trusted resource partner at mesothelioma-lung-cancer.org.
Content Reviewed & Updated: March 14, 2026