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Military Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos is used in construction of Navy ships for pipe insulation, fireproofing and floor tiles. It was also a component in boilers and engines on ships, and vehicle and aircraft brakes and clutches.
Service members exposed to asbestos in military bases may have developed mesothelioma or other health issues. This includes Army personnel, Air Force personnel 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. Asbestos was also present in those who participated in the construction, repair or demolishment of naval vessels, as well as on vessels.
Asbestos was a component used in the construction of Navy ships due to the fact that it could be used to protect against water, heat and fire. It was employed in the hull of Navy ships and also in boiler rooms, engine rooms and other mechanical areas. It was also used in industrial compound, cabin insulation, and plumbing fixtures.
Many Navy veterans have developed mesothelioma due to these types of work after being close to or near ships. This includes those who were laggers on Navy ships (insulators), the machinists' mates who repaired machinery and engine components that contain asbestos packing, as being damage control workers who perform rescue and firefighting in the event of a hostile attack.
In addition, those who worked in the Coast Guard face exposure risks because the military's ships often incorporated asbestos. The primary reason was the fact that asbestos was an inexpensive and fireproof material that insulated against heat and cold. It was used in numerous Navy ships, as well as a variety military vehicles, aircrafts and barracks.
Asbestos veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases may claim compensation from the VA through their disability compensation system. To prove that the illness is related to military service, a written summary of asbestos exposure needs to be submitted. This includes where and when the veteran was exposed asbestos, and the specific role they served in. It is also necessary to prove that at least 50 percent of the veteran's asbestos exposure was during military service.
Air Force
Asbestos is a natural mineral with unique properties that make it an ideal choice for military construction projects. It is resistant to fire and durable and is insulated from electrical and heat as well as chemical corrosion, and is very cheap to purchase and use. It was used throughout the military from 1940 to the 1990s. This led to high rates of asbestos exposure among veterans of all branches. Air Force veterans who served during this period are particularly susceptible to developing an asbestos-related illness like mesothelioma.
The Air Force, like other branches of the military, constructed bases with asbestos-containing materials. The toxic substance was used in boilers and pipes, along with other insulation products, throughout bases. Airmen were exposed to asbestos when they resided in or visited bases like hospitals, mess halls, and areas for shops. Asbestos is a brittle and scaly material, so the dust that results could be carried from one location to another by those visiting and departing from bases. Electricians, mechanics, custodians, and other personnel could carry microscopic asbestos fibers from one area of the building to another, on their clothes and hair.
Mechanical workers, welders and other airmen who work on aircraft are also at risk of exposure to asbestos. The harmful fibers could get into the lungs after inhalation and cause damage to lung tissue, which often develops into mesothelioma. Mesothelioma affects the lung's lining as well as the chest cavity, and can result in serious complications and symptoms.
Asbestos victims should consult an experienced mesothelioma attorney to find out more about their legal options. A lawyer can help the veteran or their family in bringing an action against companies that sold toxic products that put them at risk of mesothelioma. These lawsuits seek compensation for companies that put profits ahead of safety.
Army
Veterans of the Army who served between World War II and the 1970s could have been exposed to asbestos as a result of their military service. These men and woman are at risk for developing aggressive forms of mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases later in life.
Soldiers may have been exposed asbestos in barracks and bases that contained asbestos. Asbestos was a well-known building product at this time because it was fire-resistant and durable. It was also affordable.
The Army made use of asbestos to create various products such as pipe insulation, spray-on fireproofing, and flooring materials. Those products were used to build and repair various types of equipment and vehicles, including ships, tanks and automobiles.
Asbestos-related diseases can take years to develop. Many veterans were diagnosed many years after their active service. During wartime, troops deployed to combat zones faced additional asbestos exposure risk. These locations often had buildings made of asbestos, which were bombed or destroyed and released the harmful fibers into the air. This kind of exposure happened at bases in the United States, as well as at ports and other places abroad.
Veterans who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases caused by their military service have the right to make an VA disability claim. The amount of compensation is determined by the severity of the condition and the amount of asbestos exposure that he or she was exposed to during their time as a military. However the Department of Veterans Affairs does not pay mesothelioma patients even if it is not directly connected to their military service. Instead, the agency provides monthly compensation to veterans who qualify based on the established disability standards. The money is used to pay for medical bills, living expenses, and other expenses associated with the disease.
Marines
Marines could have been exposed to asbestos on military vessels, ships, bases and aircraft. Those who worked as Marine mechanics on vehicles or on transport vehicles such as the M60 Patton tank ran the highest risk of exposure. These veterans were often exposed to asbestos-containing gaskets, seals and brake pads on vehicles. Asbestos fibers were released into the air as these materials degraded. Inhaling the fibers could cause mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.
Navy veterans who served prior to the 1980s are also at risk. Asbestos was utilized in Navy ship components, such as incinerators, boilers and engines to guard them from fire and excessive heat. Asbestos fibres were able to circulate in the ship's compartments due to the lack of ventilation. As the insulation deteriorated the fibers would release into the air. Air force veterans could also be at risk of exposure. Asbestos was used to insulate military aircraft and was also found in engine parts and rotors as well as fuel systems, hydraulic systems and fuel systems.
In 1994, Marine Corps introduced an asbestos safety program that was OSHA compliant. Prior to that, there were hundreds of Marine barracks, base facilities and mechanical shops where haphazard asbestos removal was carried out. It was typically done by untrained crews made up of enlisted men.
Asbestos exposure among Marines can cause a variety of serious health conditions including mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis. Veterans who are diagnosed with these diseases should seek specialized treatment at a VA hospital or top mesothelioma centers. It is important to know that mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases have long latency time. This means that symptoms typically are not evident until decades after the initial exposure.
Coast Guard
The Coast Guard used asbestos to insulate vessels and fireproof them from fire. 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 has also been found in the insulation and piping of a number of Coast Guard vessels. These veterans are at high risk of 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 might have been exposed to regular exposure to asbestos on ships and in shipyards. These men and women conducted search and rescue missions as well as protected the environment and protected U.S. coastlines and waterways. It is not surprising given the responsibilities 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 assist in the payment of medical expenses when they suffer from asbestos-related ailments. Sandy Springs asbestos attorney to the lengthy mesothelioma latency time it is crucial that victims are diagnosed as soon as possible.
Veterans of the army are at risk for mesothelioma due to their frequent exposure to military vehicles, aircrafts and barracks. Asbestos was an essential component of military equipment because it was cheap and provided the properties of insulation and fire resistance. After the 1980s, asbestos was prohibited for new uses. However asbestos-containing pipe insulation cement sheets floor tiles, and roof tiles were still in hundreds of military areas. This "legacy" asbestos preserved the dangers to soldiers.
No matter what branch of the military veterans were part of, they could be eligible for legal aid to pursue compensation from asbestos producers. While financial aid can't cure mesothelioma in veterans but it can provide stability to families who are struggling.