Military Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos is used in the construction of Navy ships for pipe insulation, fireproofing, and floor tiles. It was also used in boilers, engines, ship engines as well as in aircraft and vehicle brakes and clutches.
These veterans may have developed mesothelioma or another health problems. This includes Army, Air Force and Marine Corps personnel.
Navy
Veterans of the Navy faced the greatest risk of asbestos exposure due to asbestos's widespread use in ships and shipyards. Those exposed to asbestos included those working in the construction and repair of naval vessels and ships, as well as those who performed day-to-day service aboard vessels.
Asbestos was a component used in the construction of Navy ships as it could be used to protect against water, heat and fire. It was used throughout the hull, engine rooms, boiler rooms and other mechanical areas on Navy ships. It was also used in industrial compound, cabin insulation and plumbing fixtures.
Many Navy veterans have been diagnosed with mesothelioma because of these uses after working near or on ships. This includes those who were employed as laggers (insulators) on Navy ships as well as machinist's mates that fix engine components and machinery which contained asbestos packing and damage control workers who perform firefighting and rescue duties in the event of an enemy attack.
Asbest poses a threat for those working in the Coast Guard, as many of the ships used by the military contain asbestos. This was due to asbestos was a cost-effective, fireproof material that insulated against the heat and cold. It was used in numerous Navy ships and various military aircrafts, vehicles and barracks.
Asbestos veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related diseases may claim compensation from the VA through their disability compensation system. To prove that the disease is due to military service, a detailed account of asbestos exposure must be submitted. This includes when and where the individual was exposed and what specific roles he or was involved in. It is also necessary to prove that at least 50 percent of the asbestos exposure occurred during military service.
Air Force
Asbestos, which is a mineral that is of natural origin, has unique properties that make it a valuable resource in 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 until the 1990s. Toledo asbestos lawsuit led to a high rate of exposure to asbestos among veterans of all branches. Air Force veterans who served during this time are especially susceptible to developing an asbestos-related disease such as mesothelioma.
The Air Force, like other branches of the military, built bases using asbestos-containing material. The toxic substance was used in pipes and boilers, along with other insulation products, throughout bases. Airmen were exposed to asbestos in bases, such as mess rooms, hospitals and even shops. Asbestos is a fine and scaly material, so the dust that results could be carried from one area to another by those who were coming and going on base. Custodians, electricians, mechanics, and other personnel could carry asbestos fibers in microscopic pieces from one part of the building to another, on their clothing and in their hair.
mechanics, welders, and other airmen who work on aircrafts are also at risk of exposure to asbestos. Inhaling the fibers can cause damage to the lungs' tissues and lead to mesothelioma. Mesothelioma affects the lining of the lungs and chest cavity, which can result in serious symptoms and complications.
To know more about their legal rights asbestos victims should speak to an experienced mesothelioma lawyer. An attorney can assist a veteran, or their family, in filing an action against the manufacturers who sold toxic products that exposed them to mesothelioma. These lawsuits seek to compensate companies that put profits before safety.
Army
Army veterans who served between World War II and the 1970s might have been exposed to asbestos during their military service. Both women and men are at risk for developing mesothelioma that is aggressive or other asbestos-related diseases later in life.
Soldiers may have been exposed to asbestos in barracks, bases and ships that contained the material. Asbestos, a fire-resistant and durable building material was popular in the past. It was also affordable.
The Army made use of asbestos to create a variety of products, including pipe insulation, fireproofing spray-on and flooring materials. The asbestos products were used to construct and repair various types of equipment and vehicles, including ships, tanks, and cars.
Asbestos-related diseases can take decades to develop. Many veterans were diagnosed years after their active service. During wartime, troops in combat zones were exposed to further asbestos exposure dangers. These areas often had structures constructed with asbestos that were bombed or destroyed, releasing the toxic fibers into the air. This type of exposure also was observed at bases in the United States, as well as at ports and other sites abroad.
Veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma, or other asbestos-related ailments caused by their military service, are entitled to make an VA disability claim. Compensation varies depending on the degree of the health condition and the amount he or she was exposed to asbestos while a member of the military. However the Department of Veterans Affairs does not compensate veterans for mesothelioma even if it is not directly related to their military service. Instead, the agency offers monthly payments to veterans who are eligible based on set disability standards. The money can be used to pay for medical expenses, living costs and other expenses that are related to the illness.
Marines
Marines could have been exposed to asbestos via bases, military ships, vehicles and aircraft. The ones who worked as Marine mechanics on vehicles and transport vehicles such as the M60 Patton tank ran the most risk of exposure. They were frequently exposed to asbestos seals, gaskets and brake pads on vehicles. When these materials deteriorated or became damaged, they released asbestos fibers into the air. The fibers could be inhaled by those in the area and lead to the development of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.
Navy veterans who served prior to the 1980s are also at risk. Asbestos was often employed in Navy ship components such as incinerators and boilers to protect them against fire and excessive heat. These parts usually had inadequate ventilation, which meant that asbestos fibers would circulate through the ship's compartments. If the insulation degraded or wore away it would release asbestos fibers into the air. Air force veterans could also be at risk of being exposed. Asbestos was a component of military aircraft that was found in engine parts, rotors fuel systems, hydraulic systems.
In 1994 in 1994, the Marine Corps implemented an OSHA-compatible asbestos safety program to protect workers from asbestos. However, prior to that, there were hundreds of Marine base facilities, barracks and mechanical shops where haphazard asbestos removal was conducted. It was typically done by untrained groups comprised of enlisted men.
Asbestos exposure among Marines can result in various serious health issues, including mesothelioma and lung cancer as well as asbestosis. Veterans who are diagnosed with these diseases should seek specialized treatment at a VA hospital or one of the top mesothelioma clinics. It is vital to know that mesothelioma, as well as other asbestos-related illnesses, have long latency times. This means that symptoms do not generally show up until a long time after the initial exposure.
Coast Guard
Asbestos was employed throughout the Coast Guard to insulate and make vessels fireproof. 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 is also present in the insulation and piping of numerous Coast Guard vessels. Due to their long-term exposure to asbestos-containing materials, the veterans are at a greater risk of developing mesothelioma and other respiratory illnesses.
As with the Navy and Air Force veterans, Coast Guard veterans could have been exposed to asbestos regularly on ships and shipyards. These men and women conducted search and rescue missions as well as protected the environment and protected U.S. coastlines and waterways. Due to the duties of the branch it's not surprising that asbestos was found in Coast Guard ships and at military bases.
Coast Guard veterans are eligible to receive VA benefits to to pay for medical treatment should they suffer from an asbestos-related disease. It is essential to recognize mesothelioma as early as possible due to its long 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 an essential component of military equipment because it was affordable and offered fire resistance and insulation properties. After new uses of asbestos were banned in the 1980s, hundreds of military areas remained with asbestos pipe insulation roof tiles, cement sheets, and floor tiles. This "legacy asbestos" kept asbestos in danger 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. Although financial aid won't cure mesothelioma in veterans, it can help provide some peace to families struggling.