It Is The History Of Asbestos Exposure In 10 Milestones
Military Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos was utilized on Navy ships in pipe insulation, fireproofing, floor tiles and other construction materials. It was also used in boilers, engines for ships as well as in aircraft and vehicle brakes and clutches.
Service personnel exposed to asbestos on bases in the military could have developed mesothelioma or other health issues. These veterans include Army personnel, Air Force personnel and Marine Corps personnel.
Navy
The most at-risk group were Navy veterans due to the widespread use of asbestos in ships and shipyards. Asbestos was also found in those who were involved in the construction, repair or demolition of naval vessels as well as on vessels.
Asbestos was a popular choice for Navy ship construction because it could insulate against heat, fire and water. It was employed in the hull of Navy ships as well as in engine rooms, boilers rooms, and other mechanical areas. Clarksville asbestos lawsuits was also used in industrial compound, cabin insulation, and plumbing fixtures.
Many Navy veterans have developed mesothelioma due to these activities after working near or on ships. This includes those who worked as laggers on Navy ships (insulators) as well as the machinists' mates who repaired engine components and machinery containing asbestos packing, as well as damage control workers, who provide firefighting and rescue 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 mainly because asbestos was a cost-effective and fireproof material that protected against the heat and cold. It was utilized on a number of the Navy's vessels as well as various military's vehicles, aircrafts and barracks.
Asbestos veterans who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases can claim compensation from the VA through their disability compensation system. To prove that the illness is due to military service, a written account of exposure to asbestos must be provided. This includes the date and time the individual was exposed and the specific roles he or was involved in. It is also necessary to prove that at least 50 percent of the veteran's asbestos exposure 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 fire resistant, heat, electricity and chemical corrosion resistant, and extremely affordable to purchase and use. It was used in the military from 1940 to the 1990s. As a result, veterans from all branches of the military were exposed to asbestos at high levels. Air Force veterans who served during this period are particularly at risk for developing an asbestos-related illness, such as mesothelioma.
As with other branches of the military, the Air Force built its bases using asbestos-containing materials. The toxic substance was used in boilers and pipes, along with other insulation products throughout bases. Airmen were exposed to asbestos in bases like mess rooms, hospitals and even shops. Asbestos is a very fine and scaly material, which means that the dust it generates can easily be smuggled from one place to the next. Personnel such as mechanics electricians and custodians could easily carry asbestos fibers in their clothing and hair from one place to another.
Airmen who worked on aircrafts, such as welders and mechanics, were also at a higher chance of exposure to asbestos. The dangerous fibers would get into the lungs when breathed and cause damage to the lung tissue which can lead to mesothelioma. Mesothelioma affects the lung's lining and chest cavity, which could result in serious complications and symptoms.
To understand their legal rights asbestos victims should speak with an experienced mesothelioma lawyer. A lawyer can help veterans or their families file a lawsuit against the manufacturers who produced and sold the harmful products that led to their exposure to mesothelioma. These lawsuits seek compensation from companies who put profit over safety.
Army
Army veterans who served between World War II and the 1970s could have been exposed to asbestos during their military service. These men and women are at risk of developing mesothelioma that is aggressive and other asbestos-related illnesses late in life.
Soldiers could have been exposed to asbestos in bases, barracks and ships that contained the material. Asbestos is a fire-resistant and durable building material was popular at the time. It was also extremely affordable.
The Army made use of asbestos to create a variety of products such as pipe insulation, fireproofing spray-on and flooring materials. These products were employed in the repair and construction of a variety of types and vehicles including ships, tanks, and cars.
Asbestos-related illnesses take decades to develop, so many veterans were diagnosed after their active military service. During wartime, troops deployed to combat zones faced additional asbestos exposure risk. These locations had asbestos-containing structures that were destroyed or bombed, releasing harmful fibers in the air. This type of exposure occurred at bases in the United States as well as ports and other overseas locations.
Veterans who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases caused by their military service are entitled to file an VA disability claim. Compensation is contingent upon the degree of the condition and how much they were exposed to asbestos while being a military. The Department of Veterans Affairs will not pay compensation to veterans with mesothelioma, if the disease was not directly linked to their service in the military. Instead, the agency provides monthly compensation to veterans who meet the disability standards. The money is used to cover medical expenses, living expenses and other requirements associated with the disease.
Marines
Marines could have been exposed to asbestos via military ships, bases vehicles, and aircraft. Marine mechanics working on vehicles, as well as those who worked on transport vehicles, such as the M60 Patton Tank, were at the greatest risk of asbestos exposure. These veterans were exposed to asbestos brake pads, gaskets and seals on vehicles. Asbestos fibers were released into air as these materials degraded. Inhaling the fibers can cause asbestos-related illnesses, such as mesothelioma.
Navy veterans who served before the 1980s are also at risk. Asbestos was utilized in Navy ship components, such as boilers, incinerators and engines to guard them from fire and extreme heat. Asbestos fibers were able to circulate in the ship's compartments because the parts had poor ventilation. When the insulation deteriorated or wore away, it would release fibers into the air. Air force veterans could also be at risk of being exposed. Asbestos was used to protect military aircraft and it was also found in rotors and engine parts as well as in hydraulic systems, fuel systems engines, and fuel systems.
In 1994, the Marine Corps introduced an asbestos safety program that was OSHA-compliant. Prior to that, there were hundreds of Marine base facilities, barracks and mechanical shops where haphazard asbestos removal was performed. It was usually done by untrained crews of soldiers.
Marines exposed to asbestos can develop serious health conditions such as mesothelioma and cancer. Veterans diagnosed with these illnesses should seek specialized treatment at an VA hospital or one of the best mesothelioma treatment centers. It is important to be aware that mesothelioma, and other asbestos-related illnesses are characterized by long latency times. This means that symptoms do not typically show up until decades after the initial exposure.
Coast Guard
The Coast Guard used asbestos to insulate vessels and fireproof them. The veterans of the Coast Guard who worked at the Curtis Bay Coast Guard Yard are at a higher risk of being exposed 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 insulation, pipes and other building materials of numerous Coast Guard ships. These veterans are at a high risk for developing mesothelioma, asbestosis and other respiratory illnesses because of their lengthy exposure to toxic asbestos-containing materials.
Like the Navy and Air Force, Coast Guard veterans might have been exposed to regular exposure to asbestos on ships and in shipyards. They were able to perform search and rescue missions and protected the environment. They also protected U.S. coasts and waterways. It's not a surprise given the responsibilities of the branch that asbestos was discovered in Coast Guard ships and military bases.
Coast Guard veterans are eligible to receive VA benefits to help pay for medical treatments if they develop an asbestos-related condition. It is essential to recognize mesothelioma as soon as possible due to its lengthy period of latency.
Army veterans are at high risk of developing mesothelioma due to their frequent exposures to aircrafts, military vehicles and barracks. Asbestos was utilized in military equipment due to its low cost, fire resistance and insulation properties. After the 1980s, asbestos was prohibited for new uses. However, asbestos-containing pipe insulation, cement sheets floor tiles, and roof tiles were still in a multitude of military areas. This "legacy" asbestos hid the dangers for soldiers.
No matter what branch of the military veterans were part of, they could be eligible for legal aid to obtain compensation from asbestos producers. While financial aid can't cure mesothelioma in veterans, it can provide peace to families struggling.