Military Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos is a component used in the construction of Navy ships for pipe insulation, fireproofing and floor tiles. It was also a component in ship engines and boilers, and vehicle and aircraft brakes and clutches.
They may have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another health issues. These veterans include Army personnel, Air Force personnel and Marine Corps personnel.
Navy
Veterans of the Navy faced the greatest danger of exposure to asbestos due to the material's extensive use in ship and shipyards. Asbestos was also present in those involved in the construction, repair or demolishment of naval vessels as well as on vessels.
Asbestos was a popular choice for Navy ship construction since it could provide insulation against fire, heat and water. It was used in the hulls of Navy ships and also in engine rooms, boilers rooms, and other mechanical areas. It also was used in plumbing fixtures and adhesives, industrial compounds, and cabin insulation.
Because of these uses, many Navy veterans developed mesothelioma after working on or around ships. This includes those who worked as laggers (insulators) on Navy ships and machinist's mates who repair engine components and machines that contained asbestos packing, and damage control workers who perform firefighting and rescue duties in the event of a hostile attack.
In addition, those who worked in the Coast Guard face exposure risks because the military's ships often incorporated asbestos. The main reason for this was the fact that asbestos was a low-cost and fireproof material that insulated against cold and heat. It was utilized in a variety of Navy ships and a variety military aircrafts, vehicles and barracks.
Asbestos veterans who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases may apply for compensation from the VA through their disability compensation system. However an asbestos exposure summary is required to prove that the condition was linked to military service. This includes when and where the veteran was exposed asbestos and what specific roles they played in. It must also prove that at least 50 percent of the veteran's asbestos exposure occurred during military service.
Air Force
Asbestos, a rock of natural origin, has unique properties which make it valuable in military construction projects. It is durable and fire-resistant protects against heat, electricity, and chemical corrosion, and is cheap to purchase and use. It was widely used in the military from 1940 until the 1990s. This led to a high rate of asbestos exposure among veterans of all branches. Air Force veterans who served during this period are particularly at risk for developing an asbestos-related illness such as mesothelioma.
The Air Force, like other branches of the military, constructed bases with asbestos-containing materials. Pawtucket asbestos attorneys was commonly used in boilers, pipes and other insulation materials throughout bases. Airmen were exposed to asbestos in bases, such as mess rooms, hospitals, and shops. Asbestos is a very fine and scaly substance, so the dust it produces could be transported from one place to another by those who were visiting and departing from bases. 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.
mechanics, welders, and other airmen who work on aircraft are also at risk of asbestos exposure. Inhaling asbestos fibers can cause damage to the tissues of the lungs and cause mesothelioma. Mesothelioma affects the lung's lining and chest cavity, which can result in serious symptoms and complications.
To learn about their rights under the law asbestos victims should speak with an experienced mesothelioma lawyer. A lawyer can assist veterans or their family in filing an action against companies that sold toxic products that put them at risk of mesothelioma. These lawsuits seek compensation for companies that put profits before safety.
Army
Asbest was probably used by Army veterans who served from World War II to the 1970s. Both women and men are at risk of developing aggressive mesothelioma and other asbestos-related ailments later in life.
Soldiers might have been exposed asbestos in bases and barracks that contained the material. Asbestos was a popular building material at the time because it was fireproof and durable. It was also extremely affordable.
The Army employed asbestos in a variety of products like pipe insulation, fireproofing sprays and flooring materials. These products were employed in the repair and construction of a variety of types and vehicles including ships, tanks, and cars.
Asbestos-related illnesses can take decades to develop, and many veterans were diagnosed long after their active military service. In the course of war, troops sent to combat zones were exposed to additional asbestos exposure risks. These sites were home to asbestos-containing buildings which were destroyed or bombed, which released harmful fibers in 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 who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases resulting from their military service have the right to file a VA disability claim. The amount of compensation will be determined by the severity of the veteran's condition and the amount of asbestos exposure that he or she received while a member of the military. The Department of Veterans Affairs will not compensate veterans who have mesothelioma, if the disease was not directly linked to their service in the military. Instead, the agency offers monthly payments to veterans who are eligible based on the established disability standards. The money can be used to pay medical bills, living expenses, and other expenses associated with the illness.
Marines
Marines could have been exposed to asbestos through bases, military ships, vehicles and aircraft. Those who worked as Marine mechanics on vehicles or on transport vehicles like the M60 Patton tank ran the highest risk of exposure. They were exposed to asbestos gaskets, brake pads and seals on vehicles. When these materials deteriorated or were damaged, they would release asbestos fibers into the air. Inhaling the fibers can cause asbestos-related illnesses, such as mesothelioma.
Navy veterans who served before the 1980s are also at risk. Asbestos was commonly employed in Navy ship components like boilers and incinerators to guard them from fire and extreme heat. These parts typically had poor ventilation, so asbestos fibers could circulate throughout the ship's compartments. As insulation deteriorated, fibers would be released into the air. Veterans of the Air Force may also be exposed. Asbestos was a component of military aircraft that was found in rotors, engine parts fuel systems, and hydraulic systems.
In 1994 the Marine Corps implemented an OSHA-compatible asbestos safety program. Prior to 1994, asbestos was removed in hundreds of Marine barracks and base facilities as well as mechanical shops. It was usually done by untrained crews of men in the enlisted ranks.
Marines exposed to asbestos may develop serious health issues such as mesothelioma and lung cancer. Veterans suffering from these diseases should seek specialized treatment at a VA hospital or top mesothelioma treatment centers. It is vital to be aware that mesothelioma, and other asbestos-related illnesses have long latency time. This means that symptoms do not typically show up until decades after exposure to asbestos.
Coast Guard
Asbestos was used throughout the Coast Guard to insulate and fireproof vessels. 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. Because of their prolonged exposure to asbestos-containing materials, these veterans are at a greater chance of developing mesothelioma and other respiratory diseases.
As with the Navy and Air Force, Coast Guard veterans might have been exposed to routine exposure to asbestos on vessels and in shipyards. These men and women conducted missions of search and rescue, protected the environment and defended U.S. coastlines and waterways. Because of the branch's responsibilities, it is not surprising that asbestos was present on Coast Guard ships and at military bases.
Coast Guard veterans are eligible to receive VA benefits to pay for medical treatment if they develop an asbestos-related condition. 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 developing mesothelioma due to their frequent exposure to military vehicles, aircraft and barracks. Asbestos was utilized in military equipment because of its low cost, fire resistance and insulation properties. 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 tile. This "legacy asbestos" kept asbestos in danger for soldiers.
No matter what branch of the military veterans served in, they may be eligible for legal assistance to seek compensation from asbestos manufacturers. While financial aid can't cure mesothelioma in veterans but it can offer some stability to families who are struggling.