Asbestos Exposure in the Military

Asbestos was widely used in military barracks, bases and vehicles until it was discovered to be a danger and cause health effects. Veterans from all branches of the military could have been exposed to asbestos and are at risk of developing mesothelioma as well as other ailments.

The Navy veterans are at the greatest risk of asbestos exposure because of the widespread use of asbestos on Navy vessels. Army Veterans who built or repaired ships, motor vehicles, as well as those who repaired them are also at risk.

Military Occupational Specialty (MOS)

Asbestos was a favored building material for many years before it was discovered to have negative health consequences. Asbestos exposure in United States military was widespread, with many veterans of all branches being exposed to asbestos and subsequently developing mesothelioma or other diseases from breathing in asbestos' deadly mineral. The Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers, Boston asbestos lawyers have years of experience helping Army veterans obtain VA benefits and compensation relating to mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases.

During WWII, the Navy employed asbestos extensively in ships and submarines. Navy veterans with multiple MOSs could have been exposed to asbestos in their sleeping quarters, compartments and other areas of the ship and also in nearby shipyards or construction sites.

Air Force veterans could have also been exposed to asbestos while serving. Asbestos is often used in aircraft, including fuel systems and rotors. Asbestos is also used in the production of thermal insulation, gaskets and fireproofing.

Navy pipefitters and welders were regularly exposed to asbestos during maintenance on Navy ships. Asbestos-containing lagging was often used on pipes that ran through the entire length of a ship. Welders in the Navy were often required to remove this lagging prior making repairs. Navy pipefitters often worked with asbestos in the form of loose asbestos, gaskets, seals and insulation. One Navy pipefitter named William Smith developed mesothelioma after developing lung cancer from his asbestos exposure.

Asbestos was the most frequent exposure for metal fabricators as well as steelworkers in the Navy when working in the construction site or shipyard. Asbestos was used as insulation, fireproofing and also as an element of welding. Inhaling asbestos fibers poses a serious health risk for any type of welding particularly when it's wet.

Asbestos was a common substance in the work of veterans of the Army, Marine Corps Navy and Air Force who worked on vessels or motor vehicles. VA benefits like disability compensation can help these veterans concentrate on their treatment for mesothelioma instead of worrying about how much asbestos Exposure Is needed for mesothelioma to pay for their daily living expenses. Veterans may also be eligible to receive mesothelioma compensation due to negligent asbestos producers. These companies were aware of the dangers associated with asbestos and are responsible for their victims' medical bills. Asbestos lawsuits have helped many asbestos victims receive substantial compensation.

Symptoms

Veterans who have been exposed to asbestos have developed many serious diseases. Exposure to asbestos increases the risk of mesothelioma and lung cancer. These illnesses can take 20 to 50 years to develop. Fortunately, many veterans who served on Army bases, Navy shipyards and Air Force bases can be compensated for their asbestos exposure and health conditions.

Up until the 1980s, the military relied heavily on asbestos-based products. Asbest was employed in the construction and repair of naval ships by Navy shipyards, as well as Army bases and Coast Guard yards. Navy sailors are at greater risk of asbestos exposure. Asbestos was often found in engine rooms, boiler rooms and deck flooring on ships.

Asbestos was also found in the workplaces of military workers who worked in other positions such as insulators or pipefitters. Asbestos was commonly used in building materials like walls, roofs and doors. The Navy used asbestos to make fireproofing.

These dangerous materials could pose a health risk for servicemen and women even when they were not on the base or ship. Asbestos fibers can stay in the lung and cause scarring for many years after inhalation. As time passed the scarring on the lungs grew so severe that asbestosis was caused.

Asbestosis, while not cancerous however, can trigger other health problems, including mesothelioma. This condition can take anywhere from 20 to 50 years to develop after exposure. Mesothelioma is between six and nine times more likely to occur in people who have Pleural plaques. Pleural plaques are a form of asbestosis that is not cancerous.

Secondhand exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma and asbestos exposure as well. This is especially true if a family member worked as a laborer or in the military and used asbestos-based products. The reason for this is that asbestos fibers can be carried through the air. Asbestos victims often brought these dangerous fibers home on their clothing and exposed their loved ones to asbestos. Mesothelioma that is secondhand is typically caused by spouses, children, and the siblings of asbestos workers. In these cases, the survivor spouse or children of mesothelioma victims are eligible to receive compensation from the VA for the asbestos-related illness of their loved ones.

Treatment

Affected veterans have a range of treatment options to help with symptoms, slow the progression of mesothelioma, and avoid complications. This includes chemotherapy, surgery or radiation therapy, as well as immunotherapy. Doctors will often recommend a combination treatment based on the type and severity of asbestos-related disease.

Asbestos was extensively used in military bases as well as aircrafts, ships and even vehicles. It was added in cement mixes, drywall roofing, spackling, and spackling to make fireproof components and to insulate them. These materials were damaged in the course of maintenance and repair and put service workers at risk.

Marine Corps veterans were exposed to asbestos in barracks, on naval vessels, and during transportation, as well during their work on vehicles and aircraft. secondary asbestos exposure cases was used in ship insulation, electrical wiring and boiler rooms and engine components and fabricated components like brake pads and clutches. Marines who worked with vehicle-based equipment were at an increased risk of exposure to asbestos since they frequently interacted with asbestos-containing components.

Asbestos is a pliable and durable material that was used to insulate valves, pipes and boilers. It was also used for ceiling tile and how Much asbestos exposure is needed for mesothelioma floor tile. Asbestos' insulating properties made it an ideal fireproofing material, and it was cheap and easy to make. Asbestos also withstands heat, which helped make it an ideal choice for engine parts like turbines and engines.

Asbestos has been linked with various diseases such as mesothelioma. Lung cancer and mesothelioma are two kinds of cancers that are caused by asbestos fibers. These cancers cause malignant tumors within the lungs and chest walls.

Those who are diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness are typically entitled to financial compensation from asbestos manufacturers who are responsible for their mesothelioma. The money is used to cover medical expenses and other support services. To qualify for these funds, victims must go through a thorough procedure which includes getting medical records as well as other vital documents. It is essential to seek legal representation for victims of mesothelioma who have experienced the hardships that come with this disease.

VA Benefits

Veterans who suffer from an asbestos-related condition have the right to disability benefits and compensation. It isn't easy for veterans to prove their condition is connected to their military service. This is because a variety of symptoms can be mistaken for other ailments, such as smoking-related COPD. This is why it is crucial for Veterans to submit an VA claim early as possible. A mesothelioma and asbestos exposure lawyer who is experienced can assist veterans with gathering the evidence necessary to file a successful claim.

Every veteran's exposure to asbestos is unique, but there were certain branches of the military that were at a higher risk of being exposed to the harmful mineral. The exposure of Navy veterans to asbestos was often the highest due to their time spent in shipyards and on ships. The vessels were contaminated with asbestos in a variety of locations, including the boiler room and engine, living quarters and aircraft machinery. Air Force veterans also faced an increased risk because they frequently worked with aircrafts and vehicles that were contaminated with asbestos.

Although asbestos is a natural mineral however, it has to be extracted and processed in order to be used in military. If it is not handled in a proper manner tiny asbestos fibers could break apart and then become airborne. These tiny fibers can penetrate the lungs, abdomen, and cause irritation to the membranes that line the chest and stomach. In time, these fibers can cause the linings to become scarred and grow into tumors. These tumors are known as mesothelioma. They are the most dangerous asbestos-related cancer.

Other asbestos-related diseases that could develop include respiratory issues like chronic obstructive respiratory disease (COPD). These symptoms are often mistaken for smoking-induced COPD, but it is crucial for Veterans to consult a doctor and get a clear diagnosis.

Many Veterans who are diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease receive treatment at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center in Miami. The Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center is situated just a short distance from the Miami VA Medical Center. For Veterans who do not live in the region or are not in the area, the VA may provide financial assistance for housing and travel expenses. Many mesothelioma specialists offer private practice options to patients who do not want to visit an VA facility.