Military Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos was used on Navy ships for pipe insulation as well as fireproofing, floor tiles and other construction materials. It was also used in ship engines and boilers and in aircraft and vehicle brakes and clutches.
These veterans may have developed mesothelioma or another health issues. They include Army, Air Force and Marine Corps personnel.
Navy
Navy veterans faced the most risk of asbestos exposure due to the material's extensive use in ship and shipyard structures. The asbestos-infected included those who worked on the building and repair of naval ships and those who worked on day-to-day service on vessels.
Asbestos was a component used in the construction of Navy ships because it could be used to insulate against heat, water and fire. It was utilized throughout the engine rooms, hulls boiler rooms, and other mechanical areas on Navy ships. It also was used in plumbing fixtures and adhesives, industrial compounds and cabin insulation.
Because of these uses many Navy veterans developed mesothelioma after working on or within ships. This includes those who worked as laggers on Navy vessels (insulators) as well as mechanics' mates who fixed engines and equipment that contained asbestos-containing packing, as well as damage control workers, who provide rescue and firefighting in the event of an hostile attack.
Asbest poses a threat for those who serve in the Coast Guard, as many of the ships used by the military contain asbestos. This was due to the fact that asbestos was a cost-effective and fireproof material that protected against the cold and heat. It was used in many Navy ships and a variety of military vehicles, aircrafts, and barracks.
Asbestos veterans who are diagnosed with mesothelioma or other asbestos-related illnesses can apply for compensation from the VA through their disability compensation system. However an asbestos exposure summary is required to demonstrate how the illness was related to military service. This includes where and when the individual was exposed to asbestos, and the specific role they played in. It also must show that at least 50 percent of the asbestos exposure occurred during military service.
Air Force
Asbestos is a mineral that occurs naturally with unique properties that make it a great choice for military construction projects. It is resistant to fire electrical, heat, and chemical corrosion resistant, and very inexpensive to buy and use. It was utilized throughout the military from 1940 until the 1990s. This led to a high rate of asbestos exposure for veterans from all branches. Air Force veterans who served during this time are especially susceptible to developing an asbestos-related disease, such as mesothelioma.
As with other branches of the military, the Air Force built its bases with asbestos-containing components. The noxious material was used in pipes and boilers as well as other insulation products, throughout bases. Airmen were exposed to asbestos in bases like mess rooms, hospitals, and even shops. Asbestos is a brittle and scaly substance, so the dust that results could be transported from one place to another by those who were who were on and off base. Personnel like mechanics, electricians and custodians could easily carry asbestos fibers on their clothing and hair from one location to another.
Airmen who worked on aircraft like welders and mechanics, were also at a high risk of being exposed to asbestos. The fibers that pose a risk could be absorbed into the lungs after inhalation and cause damage to lung tissue which can lead to mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the lining within the chest cavity and lungs. It can be a cause of serious symptoms.
To know more about their rights under the law, asbestos victims should consult an experienced mesothelioma lawyer. An attorney can help a veteran or their family file a lawsuit against the manufacturers who manufactured and sold the toxic products that caused their exposure to mesothelioma. The lawsuits seek compensation from companies that put profits over safety.
Army
Veterans of the Army who served between World War II and the 1970s may have been exposed to asbestos as a result of their military service. Both women and men are at risk of developing mesothelioma that is aggressive and other asbestos-related diseases later in life.
Soldiers may have been exposed to asbestos in bases, barracks and ships that contained asbestos. Asbestos was a well-known building material in the era of asbestos because it was fireproof and long-lasting. It was also affordable.
The Army made use of asbestos to create a variety of products, including pipe insulation, spray-on fireproofing, and flooring materials. The asbestos products were used to construct and repair various types of vehicles and equipment including ships, tanks and cars.
Asbestos-related diseases can take decades to develop. Many veterans were diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases many years after their active service. During war, soldiers in combat zones were exposed to further asbestos-related risks. These sites often had buildings constructed with asbestos that were destroyed or bombed, releasing the toxic fibers into the air. This kind of exposure also occurred at bases in the United States, as well as at ports and other locations in other countries.
Veterans who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or other asbestos-related illnesses caused by their military service, have the right to make an VA disability claim. The amount of compensation is determined by the severity of the veteran's condition, and the amount of asbestos exposure that he or she was exposed to during their time as a military. However the Department of Veterans Affairs does not provide compensation to veterans suffering from mesothelioma even if it is not directly connected to their military service. Instead, the agency offers monthly compensation to veterans who are eligible based on set disability standards. The money can be used to pay for medical expenses, living costs and other requirements that are related to the illness.
Marines
Marines may have been exposed to asbestos through military ships, bases vehicles, and aircraft. Those who worked as Marine mechanics on vehicles or on transport vehicles like the M60 Patton tank ran the greatest risk of exposure. They were exposed to asbestos gaskets, brake pads and seals on vehicles. Asbestos fibers were released into air when these materials deteriorated. Inhaling these fibers can lead to mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.
Navy veterans who served prior to the 1980s also faced the risk of exposure. Asbestos was commonly used in Navy ship components, such as boilers and incinerators to safeguard them from fire and excessive heat. Asbestos fibres were able to circulate through the compartments of the ship due to the lack of ventilation. As the insulation degraded the fibers would release into the air. Veterans of the Air Force could be at risk of being exposed. Asbestos insulated military aircraft and was found in engine parts, rotors fuel systems, and hydraulic systems.
In 1994, the Marine Corps introduced an asbestos safety program that was OSHA compliant. Prior to 1994 asbestos was removed from hundreds of Marine bases and barracks, as well as mechanical shops. The work was typically performed by untrained crews of enlisted men.
Asbestos exposure in the Marines can lead to various serious health conditions including mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. Veterans with these illnesses are advised to seek specialized medical attention at a VA Hospital or one of the top mesothelioma treatment centers. It is important to know that mesothelioma and the other asbestos-related illnesses have long latency periods. This means that symptoms don't usually appear until decades after the initial exposure.
Coast Guard
The Coast Guard used asbestos to insulate vessels and fireproof them from fire. Coast Guard veterans who served at the Curtis Bay Coast Guard Yard were at particular risk of exposure. The yard was home to more than 100 asbestos-contaminated shipbuilding and repair buildings, including barracks, a hangar and an engine shop. Asbestos is also present in the insulation and piping of many Coast Guard vessels. 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 illnesses.
Similar to Navy and Air Force veterans, Coast Guard veterans may have been exposed to asbestos frequently in shipyards and on ships. They performed missions of search and rescue and defended the environment. They also defended U.S. coasts and waterways. Because of the branch's responsibilities it's not surprising that asbestos was present on Coast Guard ships and at military bases.
Coast Guard veterans are eligible to receive navy asbestos settlement VA benefits to to pay for medical treatment should they suffer from an asbestos-related disease. It is essential to recognize mesothelioma as soon as possible because of its lengthy latency period.
Army veterans are at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma due to their frequent exposure to military vehicles, planes and barracks. Asbestos was an essential component of military equipment due to the fact that it was cheap and provided fire resistance and insulation properties. When asbestos-based products were banned in the 1980s hundreds of military facilities remained covered with old asbestos in pipe insulation, roof tiles, cement sheets, and floor tiles. This "legacy" asbestos preserved the dangers to soldiers.
No matter what branch of the military veterans served in, they could be eligible for legal assistance to obtain compensation from asbestos producers. Although financial aid won't cure mesothelioma in veterans, it can provide stability to families who are struggling.