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, vehicle and aircraft brakes and clutches.
These veterans may have developed mesothelioma or other health problems. This includes Army personnel, Air Force personnel and Marine Corps personnel.
Navy
The most at-risk group were Navy veterans due to the extensive use of asbestos in ships and shipyards. The asbestos-infected included those who worked on the building and repair of naval ships, as well as those who worked on day-to-day services on vessels.
Asbestos was utilized in the construction of Navy ships due to the fact that it could be used to protect against heat, water and fire. It was employed in the hull of Navy ships and also in boiler rooms, engine rooms and other mechanical areas. It was also used in plumbing fixtures as well as adhesives, industrial compounds, and cabin insulation.
Because of these uses many Navy veterans developed mesothelioma as a result of working on or around ships. This includes those who worked as laggers (insulators) on Navy ships as well as machinist's mates that fix engines and equipment that contained asbestos packing, and damage control workers who carry out 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 the fact that asbestos was a cost-effective and fireproof material that insulated against 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 who have been diagnosed with asbestos-related illnesses like mesothelioma are eligible for compensation through the VA's disability compensation system. To prove that the condition is due to military service, a detailed account of asbestos exposure must be submitted. This includes when and where the veteran was exposed as well as what specific roles he or was involved in. It must also prove that at least 50 percent of the veteran's asbestos exposure was during military service.
Air Force
Asbestos is a mineral that occurs naturally with unique properties that make it a great choice for military construction projects. It is resistant to fire electrical, heat, and chemical corrosion resistant and very inexpensive to buy and use. It was utilized in the military from 1940 until 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 time are at a greater risk of developing asbestos-related diseases, such as mesothelioma.
Like other branches of the military, the Air Force built its bases using asbestos-containing materials. The toxic material was used in pipes and boilers along with other insulation products, throughout bases. This exposed airmen to asbestos while they lived in bases or visited them, such as mess halls, hospitals, and shop areas. Asbestos is a remarkably smooth and soft material and the dust it generates can easily be transported from one place to the next. Aurora asbestos attorney , mechanics, custodians, and other personnel could carry microscopic asbestos fibers from one area of the building to another, on their clothes and hair.
Welders, mechanics and other airmen who work on aircraft are also at high risk of exposure to asbestos. The fibers that pose a risk could be absorbed into the lungs after inhalation and cause damage to tissues inside the lungs and eventually develop into mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the lining of the chest cavity and the lungs. It can cause serious symptoms.
Asbestos sufferers should consult an experienced mesothelioma attorney to learn about their legal options. A lawyer can help a veteran or their family in filing an action against companies that sold toxic products which exposed them to mesothelioma. The lawsuits seek compensation from companies that put profits over 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 of developing mesothelioma that is aggressive and other asbestos-related ailments later in life.
Soldiers might have been exposed asbestos in barracks and bases that contained asbestos. Asbestos, a non-flammable and long-lasting building material, was a popular choice at the time. It was also 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 many types of vehicles and equipment, including tanks, ships and automobiles.
Asbestos-related illnesses take decades to develop, so many veterans were diagnosed long after their active military service. During wartime, troops in combat zones were exposed to further asbestos exposure dangers. These sites had asbestos-containing buildings which were destroyed or bombed, which released toxic fibers in the air. This type of exposure occurred at bases in the United States as well as ports and other overseas locations.
Veterans who are diagnosed with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases caused by their military service have the right to make an VA disability claim. The amount of compensation is contingent on the degree of the health condition and the amount the person was exposed to asbestos while a member of the military. The Department of Veterans Affairs will not pay veterans suffering from mesothelioma, if the disease was not directly linked to their military service. Instead, the agency provides monthly compensation to veterans who are eligible based on the established disability standards. The compensation is used to cover medical expenses, living costs and other expenses associated with the disease.
Marines
Marines could have been exposed to asbestos via military vessels, ships bases, aircraft and even bases. The ones who worked as Marine vehicle mechanics and on transport vehicles like the M60 Patton tank ran the greatest chance of being exposed. They were frequently exposed to asbestos seals, gaskets and brake pads on vehicles. If these materials degraded or became damaged, they released asbestos fibers into the air. The fibers could be inhaled by those in the area and cause them to develop mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.
Navy veterans who served prior to the 1980s are also at risk. Asbestos was often utilized in Navy ship components such as boilers and incinerators to safeguard them against fire and excessive heat. Asbestos fibres were able to circulate throughout the ship's compartments because these parts had poor ventilation. If the insulation became degraded or was worn out, it would release fibers into the air. Veterans of the Air Force could be at risk of being exposed. Asbestos was used to insulate military aircraft and it was also found in engine parts and rotors as well as hydraulic systems, fuel systems, engines, and fuel systems.
In 1994 the Marine Corps implemented an OSHA-compatible asbestos safety program for asbestos. However, prior to that, there were a myriad of Marine bases, barracks and mechanical shops where asbestos removal haphazardly carried out. This was typically carried out by untrained teams comprised of enlisted men.
Asbestos exposure in the Marines can result in a variety of serious health conditions, including mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. Veterans suffering from these diseases need to seek out specialized treatment at an VA hospital or one of the best mesothelioma treatment centers. It is crucial to be aware that mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases have long time periods of latency. This means that symptoms typically are not evident 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 was also found in the insulation, pipes and other building materials on numerous Coast Guard ships. Because of their prolonged exposure to asbestos-containing products, these veterans are at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma as well as other respiratory illnesses.
Similar to the Navy and Air Force, Coast Guard veterans may have had to endure regular exposure to asbestos on vessels and in shipyards. They were able to perform search and rescue missions and also protected the environment. They also defended U.S. coasts and waterways. Because of the branch's responsibilities it's 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 will assist in the payment of medical expenses when they suffer from asbestos-related ailments. Due to the long mesothelioma latency time, it is important that victims be diagnosed as quickly as they can.
Army veterans are at high risk of developing mesothelioma due to their frequent exposure to military vehicles, planes and barracks. Asbestos was utilized in military equipment because of its low cost, fire resistance and insulation properties. In the 1980s, asbestos was prohibited for new uses. However asbestos-containing pipe insulation, cement sheets, floor tiles and roof tiles were still in hundreds of military areas. This "legacy" asbestos hid the dangers for soldiers.
Veterans may be entitled to legal aid to seek compensation from asbestos producers, regardless of the field of service they were in. Although financial aid won't cure mesothelioma in veterans but it can offer some stability to families who are struggling.