Military Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos was used in Navy ships in pipe insulation, fireproofing, floor tiles and other construction materials. It was also used in ship engines, boilers, vehicle and aircraft brakes and clutches.
Service members exposed to asbestos at military bases may develop mesothelioma and other health issues. These veterans include Army, Air Force and Marine Corps personnel.
Navy
The most at-risk group were Navy veterans due to the extensive use of asbestos in ships and shipyards. The asbestos-infected included those working in the building and maintenance of naval ships, as well as those who worked on day-to-day work on vessels.
Asbestos was a component used in the construction of Navy ships because it could be used to protect against heat, water and fire. It was used throughout the hull, engine rooms, boiler rooms and other mechanical areas on Navy ships. It was also used for plumbing fixtures, adhesives, industrial compounds, and cabin insulation.
Many Navy veterans have been diagnosed with mesothelioma as a result of these uses after working close to or near ships. This includes those who worked as laggers on Navy ships (insulators), the machinists' mates who repaired engine components and machinery containing asbestos packing, as well as damage control workers who are responsible for rescue and firefighting in the event of an hostile attack.
Asbest can pose a danger for those who serve in the Coast Guard, as many of the ships used by the military contain asbestos. This was due to asbestos was a cost-effective and fireproof material that could withstand the heat and cold. It was used on a variety of the Navy's ships and various military's vehicles, aircrafts and barracks.
Asbestos veterans who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases may seek compensation from the VA through their disability compensation system. To prove that the condition is related to military service, a written summary of asbestos exposure must be provided. This includes the location and time the veteran was exposed to asbestos and what specific roles they played in. It also must show that at least 50 percent of the veteran's asbestos exposure occurred during military service.
Air Force
Asbestos, which is a mineral that is of natural origin, has unique properties that make it useful in military construction projects. It is strong and fire-resistant, insulates from electric and heat sources, as well as chemical corrosion, and is affordable to purchase and use. It was used in the military from 1940 until the 1990s. This led to a high rate of exposure to asbestos for veterans from all branches. Air Force veterans who served during this time are at a greater risk of developing asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma.
The Air Force, like other branches of the military, constructed bases with asbestos-containing materials. The toxic material was often used in boilers, pipes and other insulation products across bases. This exposed airmen to asbestos when they resided in bases or visited them like hospitals, mess halls, and shop areas. Asbestos is an extremely delicate and scaly substance which means that the dust it produces can easily be transported from one place to another. Personnel like mechanics, electricians and custodians could easily carry asbestos fibers on their clothes and hair from one area to another.
Airmen who worked on aircrafts like welders and mechanics, were at a higher chance of exposure to asbestos. The dangerous fibers would get into the lungs after inhalation and cause damage to the lung tissues and eventually develop into mesothelioma. Mesothelioma affects the lung's lining and chest cavity, and can lead to serious complications and symptoms.
Asbestos victims should consult an experienced mesothelioma lawyer to learn about their legal options. A lawyer can help a veteran or their family file a lawsuit against the manufacturers who manufactured and sold the toxic products that led to their exposure to mesothelioma. The lawsuits seek compensation from companies that prioritized profits over safety.
Army
Veterans of the Army who served between World War II and the 1970s might have been exposed to asbestos during their military service. These men and woman are at risk for developing aggressive forms mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases later in life.
Soldiers could have been exposed to asbestos in barracks and bases that contained the material. Asbestos was a popular building product at this time because it was fire-resistant and long-lasting. It was also very affordable.
The Army made use of asbestos to create a variety of products, including pipe insulation, fireproofing spray-on and flooring materials. These products were used to construct and repair many types of vehicles and equipment including ships, tanks, and cars.
Asbestos-related illnesses take decades to develop, which is why many veterans were diagnosed long after their active military service. In times of war, troops who were deployed in combat zones faced additional asbestos exposure risks. These sites had asbestos-containing buildings which were destroyed or bombed, releasing toxic fibers in the air. This kind of exposure also happened at bases in the United States, as well as at ports and other sites abroad.
Veterans who are diagnosed with mesothelioma or other asbestos-related ailments due to their military service, are entitled to make an VA disability claim. The amount of compensation is determined by the severity of the condition, and the amount of asbestos exposure he or she received as a military member. The Department of Veterans Affairs will not compensate veterans who have mesothelioma, if the disease was not directly related to their service in the military. Instead, the organization offers monthly payments for veterans who meet on the standards for disability set by the agency. The money can be used to pay for medical expenses, living expenses and other needs associated with the disease.
Marines
Marines may have been exposed to asbestos through military ships, bases vehicles, aircraft and bases. Marine vehicle mechanics, as well as those who worked on transport vehicles such as the M60 Patton Tank, were most at risk of asbestos exposure. They were frequently exposed to asbestos-containing gaskets, seals and brake pads on vehicles. Asbestos fibers were released into air when these materials deteriorated. The fibers can be inhaled by those in the area and lead to the development of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.
Navy veterans who served prior to the 1980s also faced the risk of exposure. Asbestos was used in Navy ship components, such as incinerators, boilers and engines to shield them from fire and extreme heat. Asbestos fibers could circulate in the ship's compartments because these parts had poor ventilation. As insulation deteriorated fibers would escape into the air. Air Force veterans may also be exposed. Asbestos insulated military aircraft and was found in engine parts, rotors fuel systems, and hydraulic systems.
In 1994, Marine Corps introduced an asbestos safety program that was OSHA compliant. Prior to that, there were a myriad of Marine barracks, base facilities and mechanical shops where haphazard asbestos removal was performed. This was typically carried out by untrained crews made up of enlisted soldiers.
Marines exposed to asbestos can develop serious health issues such as mesothelioma and lung cancer. Patients suffering from these diseases are advised to seek specialized treatment at a VA Hospital or top mesothelioma treatment centers. It is crucial to know that mesothelioma, and other asbestos-related illnesses are characterized by long latency times. This means that symptoms do not generally show up until a long time after initial exposure.
Coast Guard
Asbestos was used throughout the Coast Guard to insulate and make vessels fireproof. The veterans of the Coast Guard who worked at the Curtis Bay Coast Guard Yard are at greater risk for asbestos exposure. The yard was home to more than 100 asbestos-contaminated shipbuilding and repair buildings, including barracks, a hangar and an engine shop. Asbestos was also found in the insulation, piping and other building materials of many Coast Guard ships. Because of their prolonged exposure to asbestos-containing materials, the veterans are at a greater risk of developing mesothelioma and other respiratory illnesses.
As with Alameda asbestos lawsuit and Air Force, Coast Guard veterans could have experienced routine exposure to asbestos on vessels and in shipyards. These men and women carried out missions of search and rescue, protected the environment and protected U.S. coastlines and waterways. Due to the duties of the branch it's not surprising that asbestos was present in Coast Guard ships and at military bases.
Veterans of the Coast Guard are eligible for VA benefits that can aid in the cost of medical treatment when they suffer from asbestos-related ailments. It is essential to recognize mesothelioma early due to its long period of latency.
Army veterans are at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma because of their frequent exposure to military vehicles, planes and barracks. Asbestos was used in military equipment because of its low cost, fire resistance and insulation properties. In the 1980s, asbestos was banned for new uses. However, asbestos-containing pipe insulation, cement sheets, floor tiles and roof tiles remained in hundreds of military areas. This "legacy" asbestos preserved the danger to soldiers.
Veterans may be eligible for legal assistance in order to seek compensation from asbestos producers, regardless of the field of service they served. Although financial aid won't cure mesothelioma among veterans, it can help provide some peace to families struggling.