Asbestos Exposure in the Military
Asbestos was a common material in military bases, barracks and vehicles until it was discovered to be a danger and cause health effects. Veterans from all branches of the military may have been exposed to asbestos and are at risk for developing mesothelioma, among other ailments.
The Navy veterans are at the greatest risk of exposure to asbestos due to the frequent use of asbestos on Navy vessels. However, Army Veterans who repaired or built ships and motor vehicles also faced the risk of exposure.
Military Occupational Specialty (MOS)
Asbestos was a favored building material for a long time before it was discovered to cause negative health consequences. Asbestos exposure in the United States military was widespread and many veterans from all branches being exposed to asbestos and subsequently developing mesothelioma or other diseases from breathing in asbestos’ deadly mineral. The Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers, Boston asbestos lawyers, have extensive experience in helping Army veterans receive VA benefits and compensation related to mesothelioma or other asbestos-related illnesses.
The Navy employed asbestos extensively on ships and submarines during WWII. Navy veterans with a variety of MOSs could have been exposed to asbestos in their sleeping quarters, compartments, and other areas of the ship and also in nearby shipyards and construction sites.
Air Force veterans may also have been exposed to asbestos during their time in the service. Asbestos was frequently used in aircrafts, including fuel systems, rotors and hydraulics. Asbestos is also used in the manufacture of gaskets, thermal insulation and fireproofing.
Navy pipefitters and welders were regularly exposed to asbestos while doing maintenance on Navy vessels. For pipes that ran the length of a vessel, asbestos-containing lagging is often used. Navy welding technicians were sometimes required to remove this lagging prior to making repairs. Navy pipefitters often worked with gaskets, seals and insulation. One Navy pipefitter named William Smith developed mesothelioma after developing lung cancer from his exposure to asbestos.
Steelworkers and metal fabricators in the Navy were often exposed to asbestos when working in a shipyard or at construction sites. Asbestos is an insulation material, a fireproofing material and a welding materials. Inhaling asbestos fibres is very dangerous for health in any type of welding especially when it’s wet.
Asbestos was a frequent ingredient in the work of veterans from the Army, Marine Corps Navy and Air Force who worked on vessels or motor vehicles. VA benefits such as disability compensation can help these veterans focus on their mesothelioma treatment instead of worrying about paying for the cost of living. Veterans could be eligible for compensation for mesothelioma from negligent asbestos manufacturers. They were aware of the dangers of asbestos and should be responsible for the medical bills of their victims. Asbestos lawsuits have helped many asbestos victims receive substantial compensation.
Symptoms
Veterans who have been exposed to asbestos have developed a wide range of serious illnesses. Exposure to asbestos can increase the risk of mesothelioma and lung cancer. These diseases can take anywhere from 20 to 50 years to develop. Fortunately, many veterans who served on Army bases, Navy shipyards and Air Force bases can be compensated for their asbestos exposure and health conditions.
The military heavily relied on asbestos-based products prior to the 1980s. Navy shipyards, Coast Guard yards and Army bases all used asbestos for the construction and repair of naval ships. Navy sailors are at greater risk of being exposed to asbestos. Asbestos was often found in boiler rooms, engine room rooms, and deck flooring on ships.
In addition, military personnel in a number of other jobs also were exposed to asbestos, for example insulators, pipefitters, plumbers and auto mechanics. Asbestos was frequently employed in building materials, such as doors, walls, and roofs. The Navy even used asbestos to create fireproofing.
These dangerous materials posed a health threat to servicemen and women even when they were not in the base or ship. Asbestos fibers can remain in the lung and cause scarring over a long time after inhalation. As time passed, the scarring on the lungs became so severe that the condition asbestosis was triggered.
Asbestosis does not cause cancer, but it could lead to the development of other health problems, such as mesothelioma which can take between 20 and 50 years to develop following exposure. Mesothelioma is between six and nine times more likely to occur in people with plaques in the pleura. Pleural plaques are a type asbestosis that is not cancerous.
Secondhand exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma as well. This is especially true when a family member was employed as a worker or was in the military and was exposed to asbestos-based products. This is due to asbestos’s ability to be transported through the air. Asbestos victims carried dangerous asbestos fibers into their homes through their clothes, exposing family members. Mesothelioma that is secondhand is typically caused by children, spouses, and the siblings of asbestos workers. In these cases, the survivors of the spouse or children of mesothelioma victims can receive compensation from the VA for their loved one’s asbestos-related illness.
Treatment
Affected veterans face a number of treatment options that can assist with symptoms, slow the progression of mesothelioma and reduce the risk of complications. These include radiotherapy, surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Often, doctors will suggest a combination of these treatments, depending on the type of asbestos-related disease.
Asbestos was widely used in military bases and ships, aircrafts and even vehicles. It was incorporated into drywall, cement mixtures, spacklings and roofing to insulate and protect components. During maintenance and repairs the materials were smashed and put personnel at risk of being exposed.
Marine Corps veterans were exposed to asbestos in barracks, on naval vessels and during transportation, as well as in their work on vehicles and aircraft. Asbestos was found in ship insulation boiler rooms, boiler rooms and electrical wiring and engine parts as well as fabricated components like brake pads and clutches. Marines who worked on vehicles-related equipment were at a higher risk of exposure to asbestos since they often interacted with these components.
Asbestos is a soft, tough material that was used to insulate pipes, valves and boilers. It was also used for ceiling tile and floor tile. Asbestos’s properties for insulation made it an ideal material for fireproofing, and it was cheap and easy to manufacture. Asbestos also resists heat, which makes it a popular material for engine components like engines and turbines.
Asbestos is associated with a variety of illnesses which include mesothelioma. Lung cancer and pleural mesothelioma are the two most common forms of the disease, and both are caused by prolonged exposure to asbestos fibers. These cancers affect the lungs and chest wall, causing malignant tumors to develop.
Those diagnosed with an asbestos-related condition are typically eligible for financial compensation from asbestos producers responsible for their mesothelioma. The money is used to cover medical expenses and other support services. To be eligible for these funds, patients must go through an extensive process that includes the collection of medical records and other important documents. It is important to get legal representation for those suffering from mesothelioma who have experienced the hardships that come with this illness.
VA Benefits
Veterans who suffer from asbestos-related ailments are entitled to compensation and disability benefits. However, it is difficult to prove their condition is related to their military service. Many symptoms are mistakenly interpreted as other conditions, like smoking-induced COPD. Veterans should make an VA claim immediately. A mesothelioma lawyer can assist veterans gather evidence to support a successful claim.
Each veteran’s asbestos exposure is unique, but certain branches of the military were at greater risk. exposure asbestos were frequently at risk due to the duration of their time on ships and shipyards. The vessels had asbestos in many places, such as the engine and boiler room as well as living quarters and aircraft machinery. Air Force veterans were also at a high risk because they frequently worked with planes and military vehicles that contained asbestos.
Although asbestos is a natural mineral, it must be mined and processed to be used in the military. If it is not handled properly tiny asbestos fibers could split and become airborne. These microscopic fibres can enter the lungs, abdomen, and cause irritation to the membranes that line the chest and stomach. These fibers can cause the linings of the stomach and chest to become scarred over time. These tumors are known as mesothelioma and are the most deadly asbestos-related cancer.
Other asbestos-related illnesses can include respiratory issues like chronic obstructive respiratory disease (COPD). These symptoms could be mistaken for smoking-related COPD. However it is crucial that Veterans consult a physician to obtain a proper diagnosis.
The Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, located in Miami, is a treatment center for a variety of Veterans diagnosed with asbestos-related illnesses. This center is just only a short distance from the Miami VA Medical Center. For Veterans who are not in the region or are not in the area, the VA could provide financial aid for housing and travel expenses. Many mesothelioma specialists offer private practice options for patients who don’t want to visit the VA facility.
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