Military Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos is used in construction of Navy ships for pipe insulation, fireproofing and floor tiles. It was also used in boilers, engines for ships as well as in aircraft and vehicle brakes and clutches.
Some veterans may have developed mesothelioma or other health problems. These veterans include Army, Air Force and Marine Corps personnel.
Navy
The most at-risk group were Navy veterans due to the extensive use of asbestos in ship and shipyards. Asbestos was also found in those who participated in the construction, repair, or removal of naval vessels, as well as on ships.
Asbestos was a well-known choice for Navy ship construction as it was able to insulate against heat, fire and water. It was utilized in the hull of Navy ships as well as in engine rooms, boilers rooms and other mechanical areas. It was also used in plumbing fixtures and adhesives, industrial compounds and cabin insulation.
Because of these uses many Navy veterans developed mesothelioma following working on or within ships. This includes those who were laggers on Navy vessels (insulators) as well as machinists' mates who fixed engines and equipment that contained asbestos packing, as as damage control workers who perform rescue and firefighting in the event of an hostile attack.
Asbest can pose a danger for those who work 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, fireproof material that protected against the cold and heat. It was used on a variety of the Navy's ships and many of the military's vehicles, aircrafts and barracks.
Patients diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma may be eligible for compensation through the VA's disability compensation system. However an asbestos exposure summary is required to demonstrate how the illness was linked to military service. This includes the date and time the individual was exposed and what specific roles he took on. It is also necessary to prove that at least 50% of the exposure to asbestos was during military service.
Air Force
Asbestos, a mineral that is of natural origin, has unique properties which make it valuable in military construction projects. It is strong and fire-resistant protects against electrical and heat as well as chemical corrosion, and is very cheap to purchase and use. It was used in the military from 1940 until the late 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 a greater chance of developing asbestos-related ailments, such as mesothelioma.
As with other branches of the military The Air Force built its bases with asbestos-containing materials. The toxic substance was frequently used in boilers, pipes, and other insulation products throughout bases. Airmen were exposed to asbestos in bases such as mess rooms, hospitals and shops. Asbestos is a fine and scaly substance, which means the dust it produces could be carried from one location to another by people coming and going on base. Mechanics, electricians, custodians and other employees may carry asbestos fibers from one area of the building to another on their clothing and in their hair.
Mechanical workers, welders and other airmen who work on aircraft are also at high risk of asbestos exposure. The harmful fibers could get into the lungs after inhalation and cause damage to lung tissue and eventually develop into mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that affects the lining within 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 speak with an experienced mesothelioma lawyer. An attorney can assist the veteran, or their family, in bringing an action against the manufacturers who sold toxic products that exposed them to mesothelioma. These lawsuits seek compensation from companies that prioritized profits over safety.
Army
Asbest was most likely used by Army veterans who served from World War II to the 1970s. They are at risk of developing aggressive mesothelioma and other asbestos-related ailments later in life.
Soldiers might have been exposed to asbestos in bases, barracks and ships that contained asbestos. Asbestos, a non-flammable and durable building material was popular at the time. It was also extremely affordable.
The Army used asbestos to make various products that included pipe insulation, fireproofing spray-on and flooring materials. These products were used in the construction and repair of various types and vehicles including tanks, ships, and cars.
Asbestos-related illnesses can take decades to develop, so many veterans were diagnosed after their active military service. In times of war, troops who were deployed to combat zones faced additional asbestos exposure risk. These locations had asbestos-containing structures that were destroyed or bombed, releasing toxic 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 are diagnosed with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases caused by their military service are entitled to make a VA disability claim. The amount of compensation will be determined by the degree of the veteran's illness and the amount va asbestos exposure of asbestos exposure that he or she was exposed to as a military member. However, the Department of Veterans Affairs does not provide compensation to veterans suffering from mesothelioma in cases where it is not directly connected to their military service. The agency instead provides monthly compensation for veterans who meet the disability requirements. The money is used to pay for medical bills, living expenses and other expenses related to the disease.
Marines
Marines could have been exposed to asbestos via military vehicles, ships bases, and aircraft. 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. They 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 can be inhaled by people living in the area and cause them to develop mesothelioma, an asbestos-related disease.
Navy veterans who served before the 1980s are also at risk. Asbestos was utilized in Navy ship components like incinerators, boilers and engines to shield them from fire and extreme heat. These parts usually had inadequate ventilation, which meant that asbestos fibers could circulate throughout the ship's compartments. If the insulation became degraded or wore away, it would release fibers into the air. Veterans of the Air Force could be at risk of exposure. Asbestos was a component of military aircraft that was found in rotors, engine parts fuel systems, hydraulic systems.
In 1994, 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 as well as mechanical shops. This was generally performed by untrained men in the enlisted ranks.
Asbestos exposure in the Marines can cause a variety of serious health conditions, including mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. Veterans diagnosed with these illnesses need to seek out specialized treatment at an VA hospital or top mesothelioma centers. It is crucial to be aware that mesothelioma, as well as other asbestos-related diseases, have long latency times. This means that symptoms typically don't manifest until decades after exposure.
Coast Guard
Asbestos was used throughout the Coast Guard to insulate and make vessels fireproof. The veterans of the Coast Guard who worked at the Curtis Bay Coast Guard Yard are at greater 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 insulation and piping of a number of Coast Guard vessels. These veterans are at high risk for developing mesothelioma, asbestosis and other respiratory illnesses due to their long-term exposure to asbestos-containing, toxic materials.
Similar to Navy and Air Force veterans, Coast Guard veterans could have been exposed to asbestos frequently on ships and shipyards. They conducted missions of search and rescue as well as protected the environment and protected U.S. coastlines and waterways. Because of the branch's responsibilities, it is not surprising that asbestos was found in Coast Guard ships and at military bases.
Coast Guard veterans are eligible for VA benefits to to pay for medical treatment should they develop an asbestos-related illness. It is important to diagnose mesothelioma as soon as possible due to its long period of latency.
Army veterans are at high risk of developing mesothelioma as a result of their frequent exposures to military vehicles, planes and barracks. Asbestos was a key component of military equipment because it was affordable and offered insulation and fire resistance. When asbestos-based products were banned in the 1980s hundreds of military facilities remained covered with asbestos pipes insulation roofing tiles, cement sheets and floor tiles. This "legacy asbestos" protected the risk for soldiers.
Regardless of what military branch veterans served in, they could be eligible for legal aid to obtain compensation from asbestos manufacturers. Although nothing can erase mesothelioma in a veteran, financial assistance could provide some stability for families that are in a the midst of a crisis.