5 Asbestos Exposure Lessons From Professionals
Military Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos was used on Navy ships in pipe insulation, fireproofing, floor tiles and other construction materials. It was also used in ship engines, boilers as well as in aircraft and vehicle brakes, and clutches.
Some veterans may have developed mesothelioma or another health problems. This includes 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. Asbestos was also found in those who were involved in the construction, repair or demolishment of naval vessels, as well as on vessels.
Asbestos was used in the construction of Navy ships because it could be used to protect against heat, water and fire. It was employed in the hulls of Navy ships as well as in boiler rooms, engine rooms and other mechanical spaces. It was also used for plumbing fixtures as well as adhesives, industrial compounds, and cabin insulation.
Many Navy veterans have developed mesothelioma due to these activities after working on or near ships. This includes those who worked as laggers on Navy vessels (insulators) as well as machinists' mates who fixed engine components and machinery containing asbestos packing, as being damage control workers who provide rescue and firefighting in the event of an hostile attack.
In addition, those who worked in the Coast Guard face exposure risks since the ships of the military often included asbestos. The primary reason was the fact that asbestos was a cheap and fireproof material that insulated against heat and cold. It was utilized on a number of the Navy's vessels as well as many of the military's vehicles, aircrafts and barracks.
Patients diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma are eligible for compensation through the VA's disability compensation system. However an asbestos exposure summary is necessary to demonstrate how the illness was related to military service. This includes when and where the veteran was exposed as well as what specific roles he or was involved in. It must also show that at least 50% of the exposure to asbestos was during 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, heat, electricity and chemical corrosion resistant, and extremely affordable to purchase and use. It was utilized in the military from 1940 to the 1990s. This meant that veterans from all branches of the military were exposed to asbestos at high levels. Air Force veterans who served in this period are at a greater chance of developing asbestos-related ailments like mesothelioma.
The Air Force, like other branches of the military built bases using asbestos-containing material. The toxic material was used in boilers and pipes, as well as other insulation products throughout bases. Airmen were exposed to asbestos in bases like hospitals, mess rooms, and even shops. Asbestos is a remarkably delicate and scaly substance and the dust it creates is easily transported from one place to another. St. Charles asbestos attorney , mechanics, custodians and other employees could carry microscopic asbestos fibers from one part of the building to another on their clothes and hair.
Airmen who worked on aircraft like welders and mechanics, were also at a higher risk of being exposed to asbestos. Inhaling the fibers can cause damage to the lung's tissues which could lead to mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the lining of the chest cavity and lungs. It can cause serious symptoms.
Asbestos sufferers should consult an experienced mesothelioma lawyer to find out more about their legal options. A lawyer can assist veterans, or their family, in bringing a lawsuit against manufacturers who sold harmful products which exposed them 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 might have been exposed to asbestos through their military service. Both women and men are at risk of developing aggressive forms of mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases later in life.
Soldiers might have been exposed asbestos in bases and barracks that contained the material. Asbestos, a non-flammable and long-lasting building material, was popular in the past. It was also affordable.
The Army employed asbestos to create a variety of products that included pipe insulation, spray-on fireproofing, and flooring materials. These materials were used in the construction and repair of various types and vehicles including tanks, ships, and automobiles.
Asbestos-related illnesses take decades to develop, which is why many veterans were diagnosed long after their active military service. During war, soldiers in combat zones were exposed to additional asbestos-related risks. These sites were home to asbestos-containing buildings which were destroyed or bombed, releasing harmful fibers in the air. This kind of exposure was observed at bases in the United States, as well as at ports and other places overseas.
Veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma or other asbestos-related illnesses resulting from their military service are entitled to make a VA disability claim. The amount of compensation is determined by the degree of the veteran's illness and the amount of asbestos exposure he or she was exposed to while a member of the military. The Department of Veterans Affairs will not pay veterans suffering from mesothelioma if the condition was not directly related to their service in the military. Instead, the agency provides monthly payments to veterans who meet the requirements for disability. The money is used to cover medical expenses, living costs and other expenses associated with the disease.
Marines
Marines may have been exposed to asbestos via military ships, bases vehicles, aircraft and bases. The ones who worked as Marine vehicle mechanics and on transport vehicles like the M60 Patton tank ran the highest risk of exposure. They were exposed to asbestos gaskets, brake pads and seals on vehicles. When these materials deteriorated or became damaged, they would release asbestos fibers into the air. Inhaling the fibers could cause mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.
Navy veterans who served prior to the 1980s were also at risk of exposure. Asbestos was frequently employed in Navy ship components, such as incinerators and boilers to protect them against fire and excessive heat. These parts usually were not ventilated, and asbestos fibers would circulate through the compartments of the ship. As the insulation degraded the fibers would release into the air. Air force veterans could be exposed. Asbestos insulated military aircraft and was found in engine parts, rotors fuel systems, hydraulic systems.
In 1994, the Marine Corps implemented an OSHA-compatible asbestos safety program. Prior to 1994, asbestos was removed in hundreds of Marine base facilities and barracks, as well as mechanical shops. It was typically done by untrained teams comprised of enlisted men.
Marines exposed to asbestos can develop serious health conditions like mesothelioma or lung cancer. Veterans suffering from these ailments are advised to seek specialist medical attention at a VA Hospital or one of the top mesothelioma treatment facilities. It is crucial to be aware that mesothelioma as well as other asbestos-related diseases have long time periods of latency. This means that symptoms typically do not appear until many decades after the initial exposure.
Coast Guard
The Coast Guard used asbestos to insulate vessels and to 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 has also been found in the piping and insulation of many Coast Guard vessels. Veterans are at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma asbestosis and other respiratory ailments because of their prolonged exposure to asbestos-containing toxic materials.
Similar to Navy and Air Force veterans, Coast Guard veterans may have been exposed to asbestos regularly on ships and shipyards. They performed missions of search and rescue and also protected the environment. They also protected U.S. coasts and waterways. It is not surprising due to the responsibility of the branch that asbestos was found in Coast Guard ships and military bases.
Coast Guard veterans are eligible for VA benefits to pay for medical treatment if they develop an asbestos-related illness. It is crucial to identify mesothelioma as soon as possible due to its lengthy period of latency.
Veterans of the army are at risk for mesothelioma because of their frequent exposure to military vehicles, aircrafts and barracks. Asbestos was an essential component of military equipment because it was affordable and offered 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 and roof tiles remained in hundreds of military areas. This "legacy asbestos" kept asbestos in danger for soldiers.
Whatever branch of the military veterans served in, they could be eligible for legal assistance to seek compensation from asbestos producers. While nothing can completely eliminate a veteran's mesothelioma, financial assistance can provide a sense of stability for families facing need of help.