10 Unexpected Asbestos Exposure Tips
Military Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos was utilized in Navy ships in pipe insulation flooring tiles, fireproofing, and other construction materials. It was also used in ship engines, boilers brakes for aircraft and vehicle vehicles, and clutches.
These veterans may have developed mesothelioma, or other health problems. These veterans include Army, Air Force and Marine Corps personnel.
Navy
Veterans of the Navy faced the greatest danger of exposure to asbestos due to asbestos's extensive use in ship and shipyard buildings. People who were exposed to asbestos included those working in the construction and repair of naval vessels and ships, as well as those who were employed in day-today work aboard vessels.
Asbestos was utilized in the construction of Navy ships because it could be used to protect against heat, water and fire. It was utilized in the hulls of Navy ships as well as in boilers, engine rooms, rooms and other mechanical spaces. It was also used in industrial compound, cabin insulation, and plumbing fixtures.
Many Navy veterans have been diagnosed with mesothelioma as a result of 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 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.
Furthermore, those who served in the Coast Guard face exposure risks because the military's ships often included asbestos. The main reason was the fact that asbestos was an inexpensive and fireproof material that insulated against heat and cold. It was utilized in a variety of Navy ships and a variety of military vehicles, aircrafts, and barracks.
Veterans who have been diagnosed with asbestos-related illnesses like mesothelioma may be eligible for compensation through the VA's disability compensation system. To prove that the illness is due to military service, a detailed account of exposure to asbestos must be submitted. This includes when and where the individual was exposed and what specific roles he took on. It must also show that at least half of the veteran's exposure to asbestos was during their military service.
Air Force
Asbestos, a rock that is of natural origin, has distinct properties which make it valuable in military construction projects. It is resistant to fire as well as heat, electricity, and chemical corrosion resistant, and extremely affordable to purchase and use. It was utilized in the military from 1940 until the late 1990s. This led to high rates of asbestos exposure among veterans in every branch. Air Force veterans who served during this period are particularly at risk of developing an asbestos-related illness such as mesothelioma.
The Air Force, like other branches of the military built its bases using asbestos-containing materials. The toxic substance was frequently used in boilers, pipes, and other insulation products across bases. Airmen were exposed to asbestos in bases such as mess rooms, hospitals, and shops. Asbestos is a fine and scaly material, so the dust that results could be carried from one area to another by those who were coming and going on base. Mechanics, electricians, custodians, and other personnel may carry asbestos fibers from one part of the building to another, on their clothes and in their hair.
mechanics, welders, and other airmen who work on aircrafts are also at risk of exposure to asbestos. The fibers that pose a risk could be absorbed into the lungs after inhalation and cause damage to tissues inside the lungs, which often develops into mesothelioma. Mesothelioma affects the lung's lining as well as the chest cavity, which could lead to serious complications and symptoms.
Asbestos victims should speak to an experienced mesothelioma attorney to find out more about their legal options. An attorney can help a veteran or their family to file a lawsuit against manufacturers who made and sold the harmful products that caused their exposure to mesothelioma. These lawsuits seek to compensate companies that place profits over safety.
Army
Asbest was likely employed by veterans of the Army who served from World War II to the 1970s. Both genders are at risk of developing aggressive forms of mesothelioma or other asbestos-related illnesses later in life.
Soldiers may have been exposed to asbestos in bases, barracks and ships that contained asbestos. Asbestos, 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. Those products were used to construct and repair many types of equipment and vehicles, 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. During wartime, troops in combat zones were exposed to further asbestos exposure risks. These sites often had buildings built with asbestos that were bombed or destroyed and released the harmful fibers into the air. This type of exposure took place at bases in the United States as well as ports and other overseas locations.
Veterans who are diagnosed with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases caused by their military service have the right to submit an VA disability claim. The amount of compensation will be determined by the severity of the condition, and the amount of asbestos exposure that he or she received during their time as a military. The Department of Veterans Affairs will not pay compensation to veterans with mesothelioma, if the disease was not directly linked to their military service. Instead, the agency provides monthly compensation to veterans who meet the disability requirements. The compensation can be used to pay for medical bills, living expenses and other expenses related to the disease.
Marines
Marines could have been exposed to asbestos on military vehicles, ships, bases and aircraft. People who worked as Marine vehicle mechanics and on transport vehicles such as the M60 Patton tank ran the highest risk of exposure. They were frequently exposed to asbestos seals, gaskets and brake pads on vehicles. If these materials degraded or became damaged, they would release asbestos fibers into the air. Inhaling these fibers can lead to mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.
Navy veterans who served prior to the 1980s are also at risk. Asbestos was utilized in Navy ship parts such as incinerators, boilers and engines to shield them from fire and extreme heat. Asbestos fibers could circulate in the ship's compartments due to the lack of ventilation. When asbestosis settlement amounts deteriorated or wore out, it would release fibers into the air. Veterans of the Air Force may also be exposed. Asbestos was a component of military aircraft that was found in engine parts, rotors fuel systems, hydraulic systems.
In 1994, 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 asbestos removal haphazardly carried out. This was generally performed by untrained crews of enlisted men.
Marines exposed to asbestos may develop serious health conditions such as mesothelioma and lung cancer. Patients suffering from these diseases are advised to seek out specialized medical attention at a VA Hospital or top mesothelioma treatment facilities. It is important to know that mesothelioma as well as other asbestos-related diseases have lengthy 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. 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 was also discovered in the insulation, piping and other building materials on many Coast Guard ships. Because of their exposure for a long time to asbestos-containing materials, these veterans are at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma as well as other respiratory diseases.
Like Navy and Air Force veterans, Coast Guard veterans could have been exposed to asbestos frequently in shipyards and on ships. They were able to perform missions of search and rescue and protected the environment. They also protected U.S. coasts and waterways. It's not a surprise due to the responsibility of the branch that asbestos was found on 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. Due to the lengthy mesothelioma latency time, it is important that patients are diagnosed as soon as they can.
Veterans of the Army are at risk of developing mesothelioma due to their frequent exposure to military vehicles, aircraft and barracks. Asbestos was an essential element in military equipment since it was affordable and offered fire resistance and insulation properties. After the 1980s, asbestos was prohibited for new uses. However asbestos-containing pipe insulation, cement sheets floor tiles, floor tiles and roof tiles were still in hundreds of military areas. This "legacy asbestos" kept asbestos in danger for soldiers.
Veterans may be entitled to legal assistance to seek compensation from asbestos producers, regardless of the field of service they were in. Although nothing can erase mesothelioma from a veteran however, financial aid could provide some stability for families in the midst of a crisis.