Military Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos was used on Navy ships in pipe insulation flooring tiles, fireproofing, and other construction materials. It was also used in boilers, engines for ships as well as in aircraft and vehicle brakes, and clutches.
Service members who were exposed to asbestos on bases in the military could have developed mesothelioma or other health issues. They 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 ship and shipyards. People who were exposed to asbestos included those who worked on the construction, repair or demolition of naval vessels, as well as those who performed day-to-day work aboard vessels.
Asbestos was a popular choice for Navy ship construction because it was able to insulate against fire, heat and water. It was used in the engine rooms, hulls, boiler rooms and other mechanical areas on Navy ships. It also was used in plumbing fixtures as well as adhesives, industrial compounds and cabin insulation.
Many Navy veterans have been diagnosed with mesothelioma because of these activities after working near or on ships. This includes those who worked as laggers on Navy ships (insulators) as well as the machinists' mates who repaired machinery and engine components that contain asbestos packing, as well as damage control workers, who perform firefighting and rescue in the event of an hostile attack.
Asbest poses a threat for those who work in the Coast Guard, as many of the ships used by the military have asbestos. The primary reason was that asbestos was a low-cost and fireproof material which insulated against heat and cold. It was used on many of the Navy's ships as well as various military's aircrafts, vehicles, and barracks.
Veterans diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma can apply for compensation through the VA's disability compensation system. To prove that the disease is due to military service, a detailed account of asbestos exposure must be submitted. This includes the date and time the veteran was exposed and what specific roles he took on. It is also necessary to prove that at least 50% of the exposure to asbestos was during military service.
Air Force
Asbestos is an all-natural mineral with unique properties that make it valuable for military construction projects. It is resistant to fire and durable protects against electric and heat sources, as well as chemical corrosion, and is very cheap to purchase and use. It was widely used in the military from 1940 to the 1990s. As a result, veterans from all branches of the military were exposed asbestos at high levels. Air Force veterans who served during this time are at greater chance of developing asbestos-related ailments, such as 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. Airmen were exposed to asbestos when they lived in bases or visited them like mess halls, hospitals, and areas for shops. Asbestos is a fine and scaly substance, so the dust it produces could be carried from one area to another by those who were visiting and departing from bases. Personnel like mechanics, electricians and custodians could easily carry asbestos fibers on their clothes and hair from one place to another.
Welders, mechanics and other airmen who work on aircraft are also at risk of exposure to asbestos. The harmful fibers could get into the lungs after inhalation and cause damage to the tissues inside the lungs, which often develops into mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the lining in the chest cavity and lungs. It can be a cause of serious symptoms.
Asbestos victims should consult an experienced mesothelioma lawyer in order to discuss their legal options. A lawyer can help veterans, or their family, in filing an action against companies that sold harmful products which exposed them to mesothelioma. These lawsuits seek compensation from companies that put profits over safety.
Army
Army veterans who served between World War II and the 1970s might have been exposed to asbestos through their military service. These men and woman are at risk for developing mesothelioma that is aggressive or other asbestos-related illnesses later in life.
Soldiers could have been exposed to asbestos in barracks and bases that contained asbestos. Asbestos is a fire-resistant and long-lasting building material, was popular at the time. It was also inexpensive.
The Army made use of asbestos to create a variety of products that included pipe insulation, spray-on fireproofing and flooring materials. These products were used to build and repair a variety of equipment and vehicles, including ships, tanks, and automobiles.
Asbestos-related illnesses take decades to develop, so many veterans were diagnosed long after their active military service. In times of war, troops in combat zones were exposed to further asbestos-related risks. These sites had asbestos-containing buildings which were destroyed or bombed, releasing toxic fibers into the air. This kind of exposure happened at bases in the United States as well as ports and other overseas locations.
Veterans who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or other asbestos-related illnesses resulting from their military service are entitled to file an VA disability claim. Compensation is based on the severity of the veteran's condition, and the amount of asbestos exposure he or she experienced as a military member. The Department of Veterans Affairs will not compensate veterans who have mesothelioma even if it was not directly linked to their service in the military. The agency instead offers monthly compensation for veterans who meet the disability standards. The money is used to pay for medical bills, living expenses, and other expenses related to the disease.
Marines
Marines could have been exposed to asbestos via bases, military ships, vehicles and aircraft. The ones who worked as Marine mechanics on vehicles or on transport vehicles like the M60 Patton tank ran the most chance of being exposed. These veterans were often exposed to asbestos-containing gaskets, seals and brake pads on vehicles. If these materials degraded or became damaged, they released asbestos fibers into the air. 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 before the 1980s are also at risk. Asbestos was often utilized in Navy ship components such as incinerators and boilers to protect them from fire and extreme heat. These parts usually were not ventilated, and asbestos fibers could move through the compartments of the ship. If the insulation became degraded or wore away it would release fibers into the air. Air Force veterans may also be exposed. Asbestos was used to protect military aircraft and was also found in engine parts and rotors as well as in hydraulic systems, fuel systems engines, and fuel systems.
In 1994 the Marine Corps implemented an OSHA-compatible asbestos safety program for asbestos. Prior to 1994, asbestos was removed in hundreds of Marine barracks and base facilities as well as mechanical shops. This was usually done by untrained groups comprised of enlisted men.
Asbestos exposure in the Marines can result in a variety of serious health issues, including mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. Veterans diagnosed with these illnesses should seek specialized treatment at a VA hospital or one of the top mesothelioma centers. It is vital to know that mesothelioma, and other asbestos-related diseases have long latency time. This means that the symptoms typically are not evident until years after the initial exposure.
Coast Guard
Asbestos was used throughout the Coast Guard to insulate and protect vessels from fire. Coast Guard veterans who va asbestos exposure served at the Curtis Bay Coast Guard Yard were particularly at risk for 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 piping, insulation and other building materials on numerous Coast Guard ships. Due to their long-term exposure to asbestos-containing products, these veterans are at a high risk of developing mesothelioma as well as other respiratory diseases.
As with the Navy and Air Force veterans, Coast Guard veterans may have been exposed to asbestos frequently in shipyards and on ships. They conducted missions of search and rescue as well as 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.
Coast Guard veterans are eligible for VA benefits to help to pay for medical treatment should they suffer from an asbestos-related disease. Due to the long latency period of mesothelioma, it is important that patients be diagnosed as quickly as they can.
Army veterans are at high risk of developing mesothelioma due to their frequent exposures to military vehicles, planes and barracks. Asbestos was used in military equipment because of its low cost, fire resistance and insulation properties. After the 1980s, asbestos was banned for use in new ways. However asbestos-containing pipe insulation cement sheets floor tiles, floor tiles and roof tiles remained in a variety of military zones. This "legacy asbestos" protected the risk for soldiers.
Veterans may be eligible for legal assistance in order to seek compensation from asbestos producers, regardless of the branch of their service. Although nothing can erase a veteran's mesothelioma, financial assistance could provide some stability for families in crisis.