Newport News Shipbuilding, a subsidiary of Huntington Ingalls Industries, is Virginia's biggest industrial employer and the only designer, builder, and refueler of US Navy aircraft carriers, as well as one of two US Navy submarine suppliers. Asbestos exposure among shipyard employees is an unfortunate reality due to the mineral's widespread usage in ship components and materials. From the boiler room to the cabin ceiling tiles, ships have traditionally employed asbestos for its low weight, strength, and fire resistance. As a result, millions of employees, crew members, and veterans are at risk of developing asbestos-related ailments.