Military Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos is a component used in the construction of Navy ships for pipe insulation, fireproofing and floor tiles. It was also used in boilers and engines on ships, and vehicle and aircraft brakes and clutches.
Service members exposed to asbestos on military bases may have developed mesothelioma or other health issues. These veterans include Army, Air Force and Marine Corps personnel.
Navy
The most at-risk group was the Navy veterans because of the widespread use of asbestos in ships and shipyards. Those exposed to asbestos included those who worked on the construction, repair or demolition of naval ships and ships, as well as those who were employed in day-today work aboard vessels.
Asbestos was a popular choice for Navy ship construction as it could provide insulation against fire, heat and water. It was employed in the hull of Navy ships, as well as in boiler rooms, engine rooms and other mechanical spaces. It was also employed in industrial compound, cabin insulation and plumbing fixtures.
Many Navy veterans have been diagnosed with mesothelioma because of these types of work after being close to or near ships. This includes those who were employed as laggers (insulators) on Navy ships and machinist's mates who repair engine components and machines which contained asbestos packing and damage control workers who perform firefighting and rescue tasks in the event of a 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 protected against the heat and cold. It was used in many Navy ships as well as a variety military vehicles, aircrafts, and barracks.
Asbestos veterans who are diagnosed with mesothelioma or other asbestos-related illnesses can claim compensation from the VA through their disability compensation system. To prove that the illness is due to military service, a detailed account of asbestos exposure needs to be provided. This includes when and where the individual was exposed and what specific roles he or took on. It is also necessary to prove that at least 50 percent of the asbestos exposure occurred 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, insulates from heat, electricity, and chemical corrosion, and is 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 during this period are particularly at risk of developing an asbestos-related disease such as mesothelioma.
As with other branches of the military The Air Force built its bases with asbestos-containing materials. The toxic substance was frequently used in pipes, boilers, and other insulation materials throughout bases. Airmen were exposed to asbestos while they lived in bases or visited them, such as mess halls, hospitals and shop areas. Asbestos is a fine and scaly substance, which means the dust that results could be carried from one location to another by those coming and going on base. Personnel such as mechanics, electricians and custodians could easily carry asbestos fibers on their clothing and hair from one place to another.
Airmen who worked on aircraft like welders and mechanics, were at chance of exposure to asbestos. The dangerous fibers would get into the lungs after inhalation and cause damage to lung tissues and eventually develop into mesothelioma. Mesothelioma affects the lining of the lungs and chest cavity, and can result in serious complications and symptoms.
To know more about their rights under the law asbestos victims should speak to an experienced mesothelioma lawyer. A lawyer can help a veteran or their family in filing an action against companies that sold harmful products which exposed them to mesothelioma. These lawsuits seek redress for companies that place profits over safety.
Army
Asbest was most likely employed by soldiers who served from World War II to the 1970s. These men and woman are at risk of developing aggressive forms mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases later in life.
Soldiers could have been exposed to asbestos in barracks, bases and ships that contained asbestos. Asbestos was a popular building product at this time because it was fire-resistant and durable. It was also very affordable.
The Army used asbestos to make a variety of products such as pipe insulation, spray-on fireproofing and flooring materials. These products were employed in the repair and construction of a variety of kinds of vehicles and types, including ships, tanks, and automobiles.
Asbestos-related illnesses take decades to develop, and many veterans were diagnosed long after their active military service. During wartime, troops deployed to combat zones faced additional asbestos exposure risks. These sites often had buildings constructed with asbestos that were destroyed or bombed, releasing the toxic fibers into the air. This type of exposure also was observed at bases in the United States, as well as at ports and other locations in other countries.
Veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases resulting from their military service are entitled to make a VA disability claim. Compensation is based on the severity of the veteran's condition, and the amount of asbestos exposure that he or she was exposed to while a member of the military. However the Department of Veterans Affairs does not provide compensation to veterans suffering from mesothelioma in cases where it is not directly related to their military service. Instead, the agency provides monthly compensation to veterans who meet the requirements for disability. The money is used to pay medical expenses, living expenses and other expenses related to the illness.
Marines
Marines could have been exposed to asbestos through military ships, bases vehicles, aircraft and bases. Topeka asbestos attorneys , as well as those who worked on transport vehicles such as the M60 Patton Tank, were most at risk of asbestos exposure. They were exposed to asbestos gaskets, brake pads and seals on vehicles. Asbestos fibers were released into the air when these materials deteriorated. The fibers can be inhaled by people living in the area and cause them to develop 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 like incinerators, boilers and engines to guard them from fire and excessive heat. These parts usually had inadequate ventilation, which meant that asbestos fibers could move through the ship's compartments. When the insulation deteriorated or was worn out it would release fibers into the air. Veterans of the Air Force could be exposed. Asbestos was used to insulate military aircraft, and it was also found in rotors and engine parts as well as fuel systems, hydraulic systems and fuel systems.
In 1994, the Marine Corps introduced an asbestos safety program that was OSHA-compliant. Prior to 1994, asbestos was removed in hundreds of Marine bases and barracks as well as mechanical shops. This was generally performed by untrained teams of soldiers.
Asbestos exposure among Marines can lead to a variety of serious health conditions, including mesothelioma and lung cancer as well as asbestosis. Veterans who are diagnosed with these diseases should seek treatment that is specialized at a VA hospital or top mesothelioma centers. It is vital to know that mesothelioma, and other asbestos-related diseases, have long latency times. This means that symptoms usually do not appear until many decades after exposure.
Coast Guard
Asbestos was utilized throughout the Coast Guard to insulate and fireproof vessels. Veterans of the Coast Guard who worked at the Curtis Bay Coast Guard Yard are at a greater risk of exposure to asbestos. 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 found on many Coast Guard ships. These veterans are at high risk for developing mesothelioma, asbestosis, and other respiratory diseases because of their prolonged exposure to asbestos-containing, toxic materials.
Similar to the Navy and Air Force, Coast Guard veterans may have had to endure routine exposure to asbestos on ships and in shipyards. These men and women carried out search and rescue missions, protected the environment and protected U.S. coastlines and waterways. It's not surprising due to the responsibility of the branch that asbestos was found in Coast Guard ships and military bases.
Veterans of the Coast Guard are eligible for VA benefits that can aid in the cost of medical treatment in the event of asbestos-related diseases. It is important to diagnose mesothelioma as early as possible because of its lengthy latency period.
Army veterans are at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma because of 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" preserved the danger for soldiers.
Veterans may be entitled to legal assistance to obtain compensation from asbestos manufacturers regardless of the branch of their service. While financial aid isn't a cure for mesothelioma in veterans but it can help provide some stability to families who are struggling.