Military Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos is a component used in the construction of Navy ships for pipe insulation, fireproofing, and floor tiles. It was also used in boilers, engines for ships, vehicle and aircraft brakes and clutches.
Some veterans may have developed mesothelioma or another health issues. This includes Army personnel, Air Force personnel and Marine Corps personnel.
Navy
The most at-risk group was the Navy veterans due to the extensive use of asbestos in ship and shipyards. The asbestos-infected included those who worked in the building and maintenance of naval ships, as well as those who worked on day-to-day work aboard vessels.
Asbestos was a well-known choice for Navy ship construction as it could provide insulation against heat, fire and water. It was utilized throughout the hull, engine rooms, boiler rooms and other mechanical areas on Navy ships. It was also used in adhesives, industrial compound, cabin insulation, and plumbing fixtures.
Because of these uses many Navy veterans developed mesothelioma following working on or within ships. This includes those who were employed as laggers (insulators) on Navy ships, machinist's mates who fix engines and equipment which contained asbestos packing and damage control workers who perform firefighting and rescue tasks in the event of an enemy attack.
Asbest can pose a danger for those working in the Coast Guard, as many of the ships used by the military have asbestos. This was due to asbestos was a cost-effective, fireproof material that protected against the cold and heat. It was utilized on a number of the Navy's ships as well as a variety of the military's aircrafts, vehicles and barracks.
Asbestos veterans who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or any 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 summary of exposure to asbestos must be submitted. This includes the date and time the veteran was exposed and the specific roles he or was involved in. It is also necessary to prove that at least 50 percent of the asbestos exposure was during military service.
Air Force
Asbestos, a rock of natural origin, has distinct properties which make it valuable in military construction projects. It is resistant to fire as well as heat, electricity, and chemical corrosion resistant and very inexpensive to buy and use. It was utilized in the military from 1940 until the 1990s. As a result, veterans from all branches of the military were exposed asbestos at high levels. Air Force veterans who served during this time are particularly at risk for developing an asbestos-related illness like mesothelioma.
The Air Force, like other branches of the military, constructed its bases using asbestos-containing materials. The toxic material was commonly used in pipes, boilers, and other insulation products throughout bases. The airmen were exposed to asbestos when they resided in or visited bases including mess halls, hospitals, and shop areas. Asbestos is an extremely smooth and soft material, which means that the dust it produces can easily be transported from one place to the next. Personnel such as mechanics electricians and custodians are able to carry asbestos fibers on their clothes and hair from one area to another.
Airmen who worked on aircrafts like welders and mechanics, were also at a high risk of being exposed to asbestos. The fibers that pose a risk could be absorbed into the lungs when inhaled and cause damage to lung tissue and eventually develop into mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the lining in the chest cavity and lungs. It can be a cause of serious symptoms.
To know more about their rights under the law, asbestos victims should consult an experienced mesothelioma lawyer. A lawyer can assist veterans or their family in filing an action against companies that sold harmful products which exposed them to mesothelioma. These lawsuits seek to recover compensation from companies that put profits over safety.
Army
Veterans of the Army who served between World War II and the 1970s could have been exposed to asbestos during their military service. These men and woman are at risk of developing mesothelioma that is aggressive or other asbestos-related illnesses later in life.
Soldiers may have been exposed to asbestos in barracks, bases and ships that contained asbestos. Asbestos was a popular building product at this time because it was fireproof and durable. It was also extremely affordable.
The Army employed asbestos in a variety of products, such as pipe insulation, fireproofing sprays, and flooring materials. These products were used to build and repair various types of vehicles and equipment including tanks, ships and cars.
Asbestos-related illnesses can take a long time to develop. Many veterans were diagnosed years after their active service. During war, soldiers in combat zones were exposed to further asbestos-related risks. These locations had asbestos-containing structures which were destroyed or bombed, which released harmful fibers in the air. This kind of exposure happened at bases in the United States, as well as at ports and other places in other countries.
Veterans who are diagnosed with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases resulting from their military service are entitled to make a VA disability claim. The amount of compensation is determined by the severity of the veteran's condition and the amount of asbestos exposure he or she was exposed to while 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 payments to veterans who meet the disability requirements. The money is used to pay for medical bills, living expenses, and other needs associated with the disease.
Marines
Marines could have been exposed to asbestos on military ships, vehicles bases, aircraft and even bases. Marine mechanics working on vehicles and those who worked on transport vehicles such as the M60 Patton Tank, were at the greatest risk of asbestos exposure. These veterans were often exposed to asbestos gaskets, seals and brake pads on vehicles. Asbestos fibers were released into 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 parts such as incinerators, boilers and engines to protect them from fire and extreme heat. Asbestos fibers could circulate in the ship's compartments due to the lack of ventilation. When the insulation deteriorated or wore away, it would release fibers into the air. Air force veterans could also be at risk of exposure. Asbestos was used to insulate military aircraft and it was also found in engine parts and rotors as well as hydraulic systems, fuel systems, system and fuel systems.
In 1994, the Marine Corps introduced an asbestos safety program that was OSHA-compliant. Prior to 1994 asbestos was removed from hundreds of Marine base facilities and barracks and mechanical shops. It was typically done by untrained groups comprised of enlisted soldiers.
Asbestos exposure in Marines can lead to a variety of serious health conditions including mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. Patients suffering from these diseases are advised to seek specialist care at a VA Hospital or top mesothelioma treatment facilities. It is important to be aware that mesothelioma, and other asbestos-related illnesses have long latency time. This means that symptoms don't generally show up until a long time after initial exposure.
Coast Guard
Asbestos was employed throughout the Coast Guard to insulate and fireproof vessels. 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 is also present in the insulation and piping of numerous Coast Guard vessels. Because of their exposure for a long time to asbestos-containing products, these veterans are at a high risk of developing mesothelioma and other respiratory diseases.
Like Navy and Air Force veterans, Coast Guard veterans could have been exposed to asbestos frequently on ships and shipyards. They conducted search and rescue missions, protected the environment and defended U.S. coastlines and waterways. It's not a surprise given the responsibilities 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 help pay for medical care if they develop asbestos-related illnesses. Due to the long latency period of mesothelioma, it is important that patients are diagnosed as soon as possible.
Veterans of the Army are at risk for mesothelioma because of their frequent exposure to military vehicles, aircrafts and barracks. Asbestos was commonly used in military equipment due to its low cost, fire resistance and insulation properties. After the 1980s, asbestos was prohibited for use in new ways. However asbestos-containing pipe insulation, cement sheets, floor tiles and roof tiles were still in hundreds of military areas. Round Rock asbestos lawsuit preserved the danger for soldiers.
Whatever branch of the military veterans served in, they could be eligible for legal assistance to pursue compensation from asbestos manufacturers. Although nothing can erase a veteran's mesothelioma, financial assistance could provide some stability for families that are in a the midst of a crisis.