Military Asbestos Exposure

Asbestos was utilized on Navy ships for pipe insulation, fireproofing, floor tiles and other construction materials. It was also used in boilers, engines, ship engines, vehicle and aircraft brakes, and clutches.

They may have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or other health issues. These veterans include Army personnel, Air Force personnel and Marine Corps personnel.

Navy

The most at-risk group was navy asbestos exposure veterans because of the widespread use of asbestos exposure to mesothelioma in ship and shipyards. People who were exposed to asbestos included those who worked in the construction, repair or asbestos exposure to mesothelioma demolition of naval vessels and ships, as well as those who worked on day-to-day service on vessels.

Asbestos was a component used in the construction of Navy ships because it could be used to insulate against water, heat and fire. It was utilized throughout the engine rooms, hulls boiler rooms, and other mechanical areas on Navy ships. It was also used in plumbing fixtures, adhesives, industrial compounds and cabin insulation.

Due to these uses, many Navy veterans developed mesothelioma following working on or within ships. This includes those who worked as laggers (insulators) on Navy ships, machinist's mates who fix engine components and machines which contained asbestos packing and damage control workers who perform firefighting and rescue tasks in the event of an enemy attack.

Furthermore, those who served in the Coast Guard face exposure risks due to the fact that military ships typically incorporated asbestos. This was due to asbestos was a cost-effective, fireproof material that could withstand the elements of heat and cold. It was used on a variety of the Navy's ships and various military's aircrafts, vehicles, and barracks.

Veterans diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma may be eligible for compensation through the VA's disability compensation system. However, a written asbestos exposure summary is necessary to prove that the condition was related to military service. This includes when and where the individual was exposed to asbestos, as well as the specific roles they were involved in. It must also prove that at least 50 percent of the veteran's asbestos exposure was during military service.

Air Force

Asbestos, a mineral of natural origin, has unique properties that make it a valuable resource in military construction projects. It is fire resistant electrical, heat, and chemical corrosion resistant, and is very affordable to purchase and use. It was widely used in the military from 1940 to the 1990s. In the process, veterans from all branches of the military were exposed to asbestos at high levels. Air Force veterans who served during this period are particularly susceptible to developing an asbestos-related disease like mesothelioma.

Like other branches of the military Like other branches of the military, the Air Force built its bases with asbestos-containing materials. The toxic material was commonly used in boilers, pipes and other insulation products across bases. Airmen were exposed to asbestos in bases such as mess rooms, hospitals, and even shops. Asbestos is a brittle and scaly material, so the dust it produces could be carried from one area to another by those who were on and off base. Personnel like mechanics, electricians and custodians could easily carry asbestos fibers on their clothes and hair from one location to another.

Airmen who worked on aircrafts like welders and mechanics, were at risk of exposure to asbestos. The harmful fibers could get into the lungs after inhalation and cause damage to the lung tissues which can lead to mesothelioma. Mesothelioma affects the lung's lining and chest cavity, which could cause serious complications and symptoms.

Asbestos victims should speak to an experienced mesothelioma lawyer to learn about their legal options. An attorney can assist veterans, or their family, in bringing a lawsuit against manufacturers who sold toxic products that put them at risk of mesothelioma. These lawsuits seek to compensate companies that place profits over safety.

Army

Veterans of the Army who served between World War II and the 1970s might have been exposed to asbestos as a result of their military service. Both women and men are at risk of developing aggressive forms mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases later in life.

Soldiers might have been exposed to asbestos in bases, barracks and ships that contained secondary asbestos exposure. Asbestos was a very popular building material in the era of asbestos because it was fireproof and durable. It was also very affordable.

The Army used asbestos in a variety of products including pipe insulation, fireproofing sprays, and flooring materials. Those products were used to build and repair many types of vehicles and equipment including ships, tanks and cars.

Asbestos-related illnesses take decades to develop, which is why many veterans were diagnosed after their active military service. During wartime, troops in combat zones were exposed to further asbestos exposure risks. These sites had asbestos-containing buildings that 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 sites overseas.

Veterans who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases due to their military service, are entitled to file an VA disability claim. Compensation varies depending on the degree of the condition and how much they were exposed to asbestos as a member of the military. However the Department of Veterans Affairs does not compensate veterans for mesothelioma in cases where it is not directly related to their military service. The agency instead provides monthly compensation for veterans who meet the requirements for disability. The money is used to cover medical expenses, living expenses and other expenses related to the disease.

Marines

Marines may have been exposed to asbestos on military vessels, ships bases, and aircraft. Marine mechanics of vehicles and those who worked on transport vehicles such as the M60 Patton Tank, were most at risk of asbestos exposure. These veterans were exposed to asbestos brake pads, gaskets and seals on vehicles. If these materials degraded or became damaged, they would release asbestos fibers into the air. The fibers could be inhaled by people living in the area and lead to the development of asbestos-related diseases including mesothelioma.

Navy veterans who served before the 1980s are also at risk. Asbestos was frequently used in Navy ship components such as incinerators and boilers to protect them against fire and excessive heat. Asbestos fibers were able to circulate through the compartments of the ship because these parts had poor ventilation. When the insulation deteriorated or was worn out it would release fibers into the air. Air Force veterans may also be exposed. Asbestos was used to protect military aircraft and was also found in engine parts and rotors 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 pact act asbestos exposure removal was carried out. This was generally performed by untrained teams of soldiers.

Asbestos exposure among Marines can lead to various serious health conditions, including mesothelioma and lung cancer as well as asbestosis. Patients suffering from these diseases are advised to seek specialized care at a VA Hospital or one of the top 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 don't typically show up until 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 particularly susceptible to 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 a number of Coast Guard vessels. These veterans are at high risk for developing mesothelioma, asbestosis and other respiratory illnesses because of their lengthy exposure to toxic asbestos-containing 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. 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 discovered in Coast Guard ships and military bases.

Veterans of the Coast Guard are eligible for VA benefits that will aid in the cost of medical treatment when they suffer from asbestos-related ailments. It is essential to recognize mesothelioma early due to its long time of latency.

Veterans of the Army are at a high risk of developing mesothelioma due to their frequent exposure to military vehicles, planes and barracks. Asbestos was used in military equipment due to its low cost, fire resistance and insulation properties. When asbestos-based products were banned in the 1980s hundreds of military zones remained with asbestos pipe insulation roof tiles, cement sheets and floor tile. This "legacy asbestos" preserved the danger for soldiers.

Veterans may be entitled to legal aid to obtain compensation from asbestos manufacturers regardless of the branch of their service. Although financial aid won't cure mesothelioma among veterans, it can help provide some security to families struggling.