Military Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos is a component used in the construction of Navy ships for pipe insulation, fireproofing, and floor tiles. It was also a component in boilers and engines for ships as well as aircraft and vehicle brakes and clutches.
Service members exposed to asbestos on bases in the military could have developed mesothelioma or other health issues. This includes Army personnel, Air Force personnel and Marine Corps personnel.
Navy
Navy veterans were at the highest risk of asbestos exposure because of the material's extensive use in ship and shipyards. People who were exposed to asbestos included those who worked on the construction and repair of naval ships and ships, as well as those who were employed in day-today work on vessels.
Asbestos was utilized in the construction of Navy ships due to the fact that it could be used to protect against water, heat and fire. It was used in the engine rooms, hulls boiler rooms, as well as other mechanical areas on Navy ships. It was also used for plumbing fixtures and adhesives, industrial compounds and cabin insulation.
Many Navy veterans have developed mesothelioma due to these types of work after being close to or near ships. This includes those who worked as laggers (insulators) on Navy ships as well as machinist's mates that fix engines and equipment that contained asbestos packing, and damage control workers who perform firefighting and rescue tasks in the event of a 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. The main reason for this was the fact that asbestos was an inexpensive and fireproof material that protected against heat and cold. It was used in many Navy ships as well as various military vehicles, aircrafts and barracks.
Veterans diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma may be eligible for compensation through the VA's disability compensation system. However an asbestos exposure summary is necessary to demonstrate how the illness was connected to military service. This includes when and where the veteran was exposed as well as what specific roles he or was involved in. It is also necessary to prove that at least 50% of the exposure to asbestos occurred during military service.
Air Force
Asbestos is a mineral that occurs naturally with unique properties that make it valuable for military construction projects. It is durable and fire-resistant, insulates from electrical and heat as well as chemical corrosion, and is very cheap to purchase and use. It was utilized throughout the military from 1940 until the 1990s. This meant that veterans from all branches of the military were exposed asbestos at high levels. Air Force veterans who served in this period are at a higher risk of developing asbestos-related diseases, such as mesothelioma.
The Air Force, like other branches of the military built bases using asbestos-containing material. The toxic material was commonly used in pipes, boilers, and other insulation products throughout bases. This exposed airmen to asbestos when they lived in bases or visited them like mess halls, hospitals and areas for shops. Asbestos is a remarkably delicate and scaly substance which means that the dust it creates is easily transported from one place to another. Personnel like mechanics, electricians and custodians are able to carry asbestos fibers on their clothes and hair from one location to another.
Welders, mechanics and other airmen who work on aircrafts are also at risk of being exposed to asbestos. Inhaling Glendale asbestos lawsuit can cause damage to the lung's tissues which could cause mesothelioma. Mesothelioma affects the lung's lining as well as the chest cavity, which could result in serious complications and symptoms.
Asbestos victims should speak to an experienced mesothelioma lawyer in order to learn about their legal options. A lawyer can assist the veteran or their family in filing an action against companies that sold harmful products which exposed them to mesothelioma. The lawsuits seek compensation from companies that put profits over safety.
Army
Asbest was likely employed by veterans of the Army who served from World War II to the 1970s. Both women and men are at risk of developing aggressive forms of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases later in life.
Soldiers may have been exposed to asbestos in barracks, bases and ships that contained asbestos. Asbestos, a fire-resistant and durable building material, was a popular choice at the time. It was also extremely affordable.
The Army used asbestos in a range of products including pipe insulation, fireproofing sprays, and flooring materials. Those products were used to construct and repair various types of vehicles and equipment, including ships, tanks and cars.
Asbestos-related diseases can take years to develop. Many veterans were diagnosed years after their active service. In times of war, troops who were deployed to combat zones were exposed to additional asbestos exposure risks. These sites were home to asbestos-containing buildings that were destroyed or bombed, which released toxic fibers into the air. This type of exposure occurred at bases in the United States as well as ports and other overseas locations.
Veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma or other asbestos-related illnesses resulting from their military service are entitled to file an VA disability claim. The amount of compensation will be determined by the severity of the condition and the amount of asbestos exposure he or she received while a member of the military. However, the Department of Veterans Affairs does not provide compensation to veterans suffering from mesothelioma even if it is not directly linked to their military service. The agency instead offers monthly compensation to veterans who meet the requirements for disability. The money can be used for medical expenses, living expenses and other expenses associated with the disease.
Marines
Marines may have been exposed to asbestos via military ships, bases vehicles, and aircraft. 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. These veterans were exposed to asbestos gaskets, brake pads, and seals on vehicles. When these materials became degraded or were damaged, they would release asbestos fibers into the air. Inhaling the fibers can cause mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.
Navy veterans who served prior to the 1980s were also at risk of exposure. Asbestos was commonly employed in Navy ship components, such as boilers and incinerators to safeguard them against fire and excessive heat. These components typically had inadequate ventilation, which meant that asbestos fibers could circulate throughout the compartments of the ship. As the insulation degraded the fibers would release into the air. Veterans of the Air Force could also be exposed. Asbestos was used to insulate military aircraft and was also found in engine parts and rotors as well as in hydraulic systems, fuel systems systems and fuel systems.
In 1994, the Marine Corps introduced an asbestos safety program that was OSHA-compliant. Prior to that, there were a myriad of Marine base facilities, barracks and mechanical shops where haphazard asbestos removal was conducted. This was generally performed by untrained teams of men in the enlisted ranks.
Marines exposed to asbestos can develop serious health issues such as mesothelioma and cancer. Veterans who are diagnosed with these diseases should seek treatment that is specialized at a VA hospital or one of the best mesothelioma treatment centers. It is vital to be aware that mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases have long latency time. This means that symptoms typically are not evident until decades after exposure.
Coast Guard
Asbestos was utilized throughout the Coast Guard to insulate and fireproof vessels. Coast Guard veterans who served at the Curtis Bay Coast Guard Yard were particularly susceptible to 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 and piping of many Coast Guard vessels. Veterans are at a higher risk for developing mesothelioma, asbestosis and other respiratory illnesses due to their long-term exposure to asbestos-containing toxic materials.
As with the Navy and Air Force veterans, Coast Guard veterans could have been exposed to asbestos frequently in shipyards and on ships. They performed search and rescue missions and protected the environment. They also protected U.S. coasts and waterways. It is not surprising, given the branch's responsibilities that asbestos was discovered in Coast Guard ships and military bases.
Veterans of the Coast Guard are eligible for VA benefits that will assist in the payment of medical expenses if they develop asbestos-related illnesses. It is essential to recognize mesothelioma early because of its lengthy time of latency.
Veterans of the Army are at risk for mesothelioma because of their frequent exposure to military vehicles, aircrafts and barracks. Asbestos was commonly used in military equipment because of its low cost, fire resistance and insulation properties. After new uses of asbestos were banned in the 1980s, hundreds of military zones remained with asbestos pipe insulation roof tiles, cement sheets and floor tile. This "legacy asbestos" preserved the danger for soldiers.
Veterans may be eligible for legal assistance to seek compensation from asbestos producers, regardless of the field of their service. While nothing can take away mesothelioma in a veteran but financial assistance can provide a sense of stability for families in crisis.