The USS Oxford (AGTR-1) was an Oxford-class technical research ship acquired by the U.S. Navy in 1960 for research in the reception of electromagnetic propagations. The ship was laid down under a Maritime Commission contract by the New England Shipbuilding Corp. of Portland, Maine, on 23 June 1945 and launched on 31 July 1945 as Samuel R. Aitken (MCE–3127). Because of their massive exposure levels, shipyard workers have some of the highest documented rates of asbestos-related diseases. The most common asbestos-containing materials used at shipyards include pipe covering insulation, boiler and furnace insulation, gaskets, paint, floor, ceiling, and wall insulation, turbines, and pumps. When inhaled, asbestos fibers travel to the lungs and may become lodged in lung tissue causing irritation, inflammation, and scarring. The effects of long-term exposure typically don’t show up for 20 to 50 years after initial exposure. Symptoms may include shortness of breath, tightness in the chest, and worsening cough. All asbestos-related conditions are serious and require prompt medical diagnosis and treatment.
760-621-6147
