Military Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos is used in construction of Navy ships for pipe insulation, fireproofing and floor tiles. It was also used in ship engines, boilers as well as in aircraft and vehicle brakes, and clutches.
Service members who were exposed to asbestos at military bases may develop mesothelioma and other health issues. These veterans include Army, Air Force and Marine Corps personnel.
Navy
The most at-risk group was the Navy veterans because of the widespread use of asbestos in ship and shipyards. Asbestos was also found in those who participated in the construction, repair or demolition of naval vessels and also on ships.
Asbestos was utilized in the construction of Navy ships as it could be used to protect against water, heat and fire. It was used in 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.
Due to these uses, many Navy veterans developed mesothelioma as a result of working on or within ships. This includes those who worked as laggers (insulators) on Navy ships, machinist's mates who fix engine components and machinery that 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 who serve in the Coast Guard, as many of the ships used by the military contain asbestos. The main reason for this was the fact that asbestos was an inexpensive and fireproof material which insulated against cold and heat. It was used in numerous Navy ships and various military aircrafts, vehicles, and barracks.
Asbestos veterans who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related diseases may apply for compensation from the VA through their disability compensation system. However the written asbestos exposure summary is required to show how the condition was linked to military service. This includes where and when the individual was exposed to asbestos, as well as the specific roles they served in. New Britain asbestos attorney must show that at least 50 percent of the veteran's asbestos exposure occurred during military service.
Air Force
Asbestos is an all-natural mineral with unique properties that make it a great choice for military construction projects. It is fire resistant electrical, heat, and chemical corrosion resistant, and very inexpensive to buy and use. It was utilized throughout the military from 1940 to the 1990s. In the process, veterans from all branches of the military were exposed asbestos at high levels. Air Force veterans who served during this time are especially at risk for developing an asbestos-related illness, such as mesothelioma.
The Air Force, like other branches of the military, constructed its bases using asbestos-containing materials. The toxic substance was frequently 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 very smooth and soft material, which means that the dust it creates can easily be smuggled from one location to the next. Custodians, electricians, mechanics, and other personnel could carry asbestos fibers in microscopic pieces from one part of the building to another, on their clothes and hair.
Welders, mechanics and other airmen who work on aircraft are also at risk of asbestos exposure. The dangerous fibers would get into the lungs after inhalation and cause damage to the tissues inside the lungs and eventually develop into mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the lining within the chest cavity and lungs. It can be a cause of serious symptoms.
To understand their legal rights, asbestos victims should consult an experienced mesothelioma lawyer. An attorney can assist the veteran or their family in bringing an action against the manufacturers who sold harmful products that exposed them to mesothelioma. These lawsuits seek redress for companies that put profits before safety.
Army
Veterans of the Army who served between World War II and the 1970s may have been exposed to asbestos through their military service. Both women and men are at risk for developing aggressive forms of mesothelioma or other asbestos-related illnesses later in life.
Soldiers could have been exposed to asbestos in barracks, bases and ships that contained asbestos. Asbestos was a very popular building material in the era of asbestos because it was fire-resistant and long-lasting. It was also reasonably priced.
The Army employed asbestos to create a variety of products, including pipe insulation, spray-on fireproofing, and flooring materials. These products were employed in the repair and construction of a variety of kinds of vehicles and types, including ships, tanks, and cars.
Asbestos-related diseases can take decades to develop. Many veterans were diagnosed many years after their active service. In times of war, troops in combat zones were exposed to additional asbestos-related risks. These sites were home to asbestos-containing buildings which were destroyed or bombed, releasing 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 locations abroad.
Veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma, or other asbestos-related ailments due to their military service, are entitled to make an VA disability claim. The amount of compensation is contingent on the severity of the veteran's condition and the extent to which they were exposed to asbestos while a member of the military. The Department of Veterans Affairs will not pay compensation to veterans with mesothelioma even if it was not directly linked to their service in the military. Instead, the agency offers monthly compensation to veterans who qualify based on the established disability standards. The money can be used to pay for medical expenses, living expenses and other needs associated with the disease.
Marines
Marines may have been exposed to asbestos via bases, military ships vehicles, aircraft and bases. Those who worked as Marine vehicle mechanics and on transport vehicles like the M60 Patton tank ran the greatest risk of exposure. These veterans were exposed to asbestos gaskets, brake pads and seals on vehicles. If these materials degraded or were damaged, they released asbestos fibers into the air. The fibers could be breathed in by people living in the area and lead to the development of asbestos-related diseases including mesothelioma.
Navy veterans who served prior to the 1980s were also at risk of exposure. Asbestos was often utilized in Navy ship components like boilers and incinerators to safeguard them from fire and excessive heat. These parts usually had poor ventilation, so asbestos fibers could circulate throughout the ship's compartments. If the insulation degraded or was worn out it would release asbestos fibers into the air. Air force veterans could be at risk of being exposed. Asbestos was used to insulate military aircraft and was also found in rotors and engine parts as well as hydraulic systems, fuel systems, system, and fuel systems.
In 1994 in 1994, the Marine Corps implemented an OSHA-compatible asbestos safety program. Prior to 1994, asbestos was removed in hundreds of Marine base facilities and barracks and mechanical shops. It was typically done by untrained crews made up of enlisted men.
Asbestos exposure in the Marines can lead to a variety of serious health conditions including mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. Veterans who are diagnosed with these diseases should seek specialized treatment at an VA hospital or one of the best mesothelioma clinics. It is crucial to be aware that mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases have long time periods of latency. This means that symptoms typically do not appear until many decades after the initial exposure.
Coast Guard
Asbestos was employed throughout the Coast Guard to insulate and protect vessels from fire. The 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 was also found in the piping and insulation of numerous Coast Guard vessels. Because of their exposure for a long time to asbestos-containing materials, the veterans are at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma and other respiratory illnesses.
Similar to Navy and Air Force veterans, Coast Guard veterans could have been exposed to asbestos regularly in shipyards and on ships. These men and women performed missions of search and rescue, and defended the environment. They also defended U.S. coasts and waterways. Because of the branch's responsibilities, it is not surprising that asbestos was present in Coast Guard ships and at military bases.
Veterans of the Coast Guard are eligible for VA benefits that help pay for medical care when they suffer from asbestos-related ailments. Due to the long mesothelioma's latency 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, aircraft and barracks. Asbestos was an essential element in military equipment since it was affordable and offered the properties of insulation and fire resistance. After the 1980s, asbestos was banned for new uses. However, asbestos-containing pipe insulation, cement sheets floor tiles, floor tiles and roof tiles were still in a variety of military zones. This "legacy" asbestos hid the dangers to soldiers.
Whatever branch of the military veterans were part of, they could be eligible for legal assistance to obtain compensation from asbestos manufacturers. While nothing can take away mesothelioma in a veteran, financial assistance can provide some semblance of stability for families that are in a need of help.