15 Amazing Facts About Asbestos Exposure You've Never Seen

Military Asbestos Exposure

Asbestos was used in Navy ships for pipe insulation as well as fireproofing, floor tiles and other construction materials. It also was a component in ship engines and boilers, and vehicle and aircraft brakes and clutches.

Service members exposed to asbestos on bases in the military could have developed mesothelioma or other health issues. These veterans include Army personnel, Air Force personnel and Marine Corps personnel.

Navy

Navy veterans were at the highest risk of asbestos exposure due to asbestos's widespread use in ships and shipyards. Asbestos was also present in those who participated in the construction, repair, or demolition of naval vessels, as well as on vessels.

Asbestos was a popular choice for Navy ship construction as it could insulate against fire, heat and water. It was utilized in the hull of Navy ships as well as in boilers, engine rooms, rooms and other mechanical areas. It was also used for plumbing fixtures, adhesives, industrial compounds and cabin insulation.

Many Navy veterans have developed mesothelioma due to these activities after working near or on ships. This includes those who worked as laggers on Navy ships (insulators) as well as mechanics' mates who fixed engines and equipment that contained asbestos packing, as being damage control workers who provide rescue and firefighting in the event of an hostile attack.

Asbest poses a threat for those who serve in the Coast Guard, as many of the ships used by the military contain asbestos. The main reason was the fact that asbestos was a cheap and fireproof material that insulated against cold and heat. It was used on a variety of the Navy's ships and various military's aircrafts, vehicles, and barracks.

Asbestos veterans who are diagnosed with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases can apply for compensation from the VA through their disability compensation system. To prove that the disease is related to military service, a detailed account of asbestos exposure must be provided. This includes the location and time the veteran was exposed to asbestos and what specific roles they served in. It is also necessary to prove that at least 50% of the exposure to asbestos occurred during military service.

Air Force

Asbestos, a rock 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 very inexpensive to buy and use. It was widely used in the military from 1940 to the 1990s. In the process, veterans from all branches of the military were exposed to asbestos at high levels. Air Force veterans who served in this period are at greater risk of developing asbestos-related diseases, such as mesothelioma.

As with other branches of the military Like other branches of the military, the Air Force built its bases using asbestos-containing materials. The toxic material was used in boilers and pipes, and other insulation products throughout bases. This exposed airmen to asbestos when they resided in or visited bases, such as mess halls, hospitals, and areas for shops. Asbestos is a fine and scaly substance, which means the resulting dust could easily be transported from one place to another by those who were who were on and off base. Custodians, electricians, mechanics and other workers could carry asbestos fibers in microscopic pieces from one area of the building to another, on their clothing and in their hair.

Airmen who worked on aircrafts, such as welders and mechanics, were at a higher risk of exposure to asbestos. The fibers that pose a risk could be absorbed into the lungs when inhaled and cause damage to the lung tissues and eventually develop into mesothelioma. Mesothelioma affects the lining of the lungs and chest cavity, which can lead to serious symptoms and complications.

Asbestos sufferers should consult an experienced mesothelioma lawyer to discuss their legal options. An attorney can help a veteran or their family file a lawsuit against the manufacturers who made and sold the toxic products that caused their exposure to mesothelioma. These lawsuits seek compensation for companies that place profits over safety.

Army

Army veterans who served between World War II and the 1970s might have been exposed to asbestos as a result of their military service. Both women and men are at risk of developing aggressive mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses late in life.

Soldiers might have been exposed asbestos in barracks and bases which contained asbestos. Asbestos was a well-known building material in the era of asbestos because it was fire-resistant and long-lasting. It was also reasonably priced.

The Army used asbestos to make various products, including pipe insulation, spray-on fireproofing and flooring materials. These materials were used in the construction and repair of many types and vehicles including ships, tanks and cars.

Asbestos-related illnesses can take a long time to develop. Many veterans were diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases many years after their active service. During war, soldiers in combat zones were exposed to additional asbestos exposure dangers. These areas often had structures built with asbestos that were destroyed or bombed in order to release the harmful fibers into the air. This type of exposure took place at bases in the United States as well as ports and other overseas locations.

Veterans who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases caused by their military service are entitled to make a VA disability claim. Compensation is contingent upon the degree of the condition and how much they were exposed to asbestos as a member of the military. However the Department of Veterans Affairs does not provide compensation to veterans suffering from mesothelioma even if it is not directly connected to their military service. The agency instead offers monthly compensation for veterans who meet the disability standards. The money can be used to pay medical expenses, living expenses and other needs associated with the illness.

Marines

Marines could have been exposed to asbestos on military ships, vehicles bases, and aircraft. Those who worked as Marine mechanics on vehicles or on transport vehicles such as the M60 Patton tank ran the greatest risk of exposure. These veterans were exposed to asbestos brake pads, gaskets and seals on vehicles. When  Boise City asbestos attorneys  became degraded or were damaged, they released asbestos fibers into the air. The fibers can be inhaled by people living in the area and lead to the development of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.

Navy veterans who served before the 1980s are also at risk. Asbestos was used in Navy ship parts such as boilers, incinerators and engines to protect them from fire and excessive heat. Asbestos fibers were able to circulate through the compartments of the ship due to the lack of ventilation. As insulation deteriorated, fibers would be released into the air. Veterans of the Air Force may also be exposed. Asbestos was used to protect military aircraft and was also found in rotors and engine parts as well as fuel systems, hydraulic system and fuel systems.

In 1994 the Marine Corps implemented an OSHA-compatible asbestos safety program. However, prior to that, there were hundreds of Marine base facilities, barracks and mechanical shops where asbestos removal haphazardly performed. It was typically done by untrained teams comprised of enlisted men.

Marines exposed to asbestos can develop serious health conditions such as mesothelioma and lung cancer. Veterans with these illnesses are advised to seek specialized medical attention at a VA Hospital or one of the top mesothelioma treatment centers. It is vital to know that mesothelioma, as well as other asbestos-related diseases have long latency time. This means that symptoms usually do not appear until many decades after the initial exposure.

Coast Guard

The Coast Guard used asbestos to protect vessels from fire and insulate them. Veterans of the Coast Guard who worked at the Curtis Bay Coast Guard Yard are at a higher risk of exposure 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 is also present in the insulation and piping of numerous Coast Guard vessels. These veterans are at high risk of developing mesothelioma asbestosis and other respiratory illnesses due to their long-term exposure to toxic asbestos-containing materials.

Similar to the Navy and Air Force, Coast Guard veterans might have been exposed to routine exposure to asbestos in ships and in shipyards. These men and women conducted missions of search and rescue, protected the environment, and safeguarded U.S. coastlines and waterways. It is not surprising due to the responsibility 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 in the event of asbestos-related diseases. Due to the long mesothelioma's latency, it is important that patients receive a diagnosis as soon as possible.

Veterans of the army are at risk of mesothelioma because of their frequent exposure to military vehicles, aircrafts and barracks. Asbestos was an essential component of military equipment due to the fact that it was inexpensive and offered insulation and fire resistance. As asbestos' new uses were prohibited in the 1980s, hundreds of military facilities remained covered with old asbestos in pipe insulation, roof tiles, cement sheets, and floor tiles. This "legacy asbestos" protected the risk for soldiers.

Whatever branch of the military veterans were part of, they could be eligible for legal assistance to pursue compensation from asbestos producers. While nothing can take away mesothelioma from a veteran, financial assistance could provide some stability for families facing need of help.