Military Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos was used in Navy ships for pipe insulation flooring tiles, fireproofing, and other construction materials. It was also used in ship engines, boilers brakes for aircraft and vehicle vehicles and clutches.
Some veterans may have developed mesothelioma or another health issues. These veterans include Army personnel, Air Force personnel and Marine Corps personnel.
Navy
The most at-risk group were Navy veterans because of the widespread use of asbestos in ship and shipyards. Asbestos was also discovered in those who participated in the construction, repair, or demolishment of naval vessels, as well as on vessels.
Asbestos was a component used in the construction of Navy ships due to the fact that it could be used to protect against water, heat and fire. It was used in the engine rooms, hulls, boiler rooms and other mechanical areas on Navy ships. It was also used in industrial compound, cabin insulation, and plumbing fixtures.
Because of these uses many Navy veterans developed mesothelioma after working on or around ships. This includes those who worked as laggers on Navy vessels (insulators) as well as mechanics’ mates who fixed machinery and engine components that contain asbestos packing, as being damage control workers who provide rescue and firefighting in the event of an hostile attack.
Asbest is also a risk for those who work in the Coast Guard, as many of the ships used by the military have asbestos. The main reason for this was the fact that asbestos was a low-cost and fireproof material that protected against cold and heat. It was used on many of the Navy’s ships as well as a variety of the military’s aircrafts, vehicles, and barracks.
Veterans diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma may be eligible for compensation through the VA’s disability compensation system. To prove that the condition is due to military service, a written account of asbestos exposure must be provided. This includes where and when the individual was exposed to asbestos, and the specific role they were involved in. It is also necessary to prove that at least 50% of the veteran’s asbestos exposure was during military service.
Air Force
Asbestos is an all-natural mineral with unique properties that make it a great choice for military construction projects. It is fire resistant, heat, electricity and chemical corrosion resistant and extremely affordable to purchase and use. It was employed in the military from 1940 until the late 1990s. This led to high rates of exposure to asbestos among veterans in every branch. Air Force veterans who served during this period are particularly susceptible to developing an asbestos-related illness, such as mesothelioma.
The Air Force, like other branches of the military, built bases with asbestos-containing materials. The toxic material was used in boilers and pipes, as well as other insulation products throughout bases. This exposed airmen to asbestos while they lived in bases or visited them like hospitals, mess halls, and areas for shops. Asbestos is a very delicate and scaly substance which means that the dust it creates can easily be smuggled from one location to the next. Personnel such as mechanics, electricians and custodians could easily carry asbestos fibers in their clothing and hair from one location to another.
Airmen who worked on aircraft like welders and mechanics, were also at a high chance of exposure to asbestos. Inhaling the fibers can cause damage to the tissues of the lungs which could result in mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the lining in the chest cavity and the lungs. It can be a cause of serious symptoms.
To learn about their rights under the law asbestos victims should speak with an experienced mesothelioma lawyer. A lawyer can assist veterans or their families file a lawsuit against the manufacturers who made and sold the harmful products that led to their exposure to mesothelioma. These lawsuits seek compensation from companies who put profit over safety.
Army
Veterans of the Army who served between World War II and the 1970s could have been exposed to asbestos during their military service. They are at risk of developing mesothelioma that is aggressive and other asbestos-related diseases later in life.
Soldiers may have been exposed to asbestos in bases, barracks and ships that contained the material. Asbestos was a popular building material at the time because it was fireproof and durable. It was also affordable.
The Army employed asbestos to create various products that included pipe insulation, fireproofing spray-on and flooring materials. These materials were employed 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 many years after their active service. In the course of war, troops sent to combat zones faced additional asbestos exposure risks. These areas often had structures made of asbestos, which were destroyed or bombed and released the harmful fibers into 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 illnesses resulting from their military service have the right to make an VA disability claim. The amount of compensation is determined by the degree of the veteran’s illness, and the amount of asbestos exposure he or she was exposed to during their time as a military. However the Department of Veterans Affairs does not compensate veterans for mesothelioma if it was not directly connected to their military service. Instead, the agency provides monthly compensation to veterans who meet the disability standards. The money can be used to pay for medical expenses, living expenses and other needs related to the disease.
Marines
Marines may have been exposed to asbestos via military ships, bases vehicles, and aircraft. People who worked as Marine vehicle mechanics and on transport vehicles like the M60 Patton tank ran the greatest chance of being exposed. These veterans were exposed 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 diseases, including mesothelioma.
Navy veterans who served prior to the 1980s are also at risk. Asbestos was used in Navy ship components, such as boilers, incinerators, and engines to shield them from fire and extreme heat. These parts usually were not ventilated, and asbestos fibers would circulate through the compartments of the ship. If the insulation became degraded or wore out it would release fibers into the air. Air Force veterans may also be exposed. Asbestos was used to protect military aircraft and was also found in rotors and engine parts as well as in hydraulic systems, fuel systems engines and fuel systems.
In 1994 the Marine Corps implemented an OSHA-compatible asbestos safety program for asbestos. Prior to 1994, asbestos was removed in hundreds of Marine bases and barracks, as well as mechanical shops. The work was typically performed by untrained crews of soldiers.
Marines exposed to asbestos could develop serious health issues like mesothelioma or lung cancer. Veterans suffering from these ailments are advised to seek specialist treatment at a VA Hospital or top mesothelioma treatment centers. It is vital to know that mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases are characterized by long latency times. This means that symptoms don’t generally show up until a long time after the initial exposure.
Coast Guard
Asbestos was utilized throughout the Coast Guard to insulate and make vessels fireproof. 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 has also been found in the piping and insulation of a number of Coast Guard vessels. Because of their prolonged exposure to asbestos-containing products, these veterans are at a higher chance of developing mesothelioma and other respiratory illnesses.
Like 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 performed missions of search and rescue, and protected the environment. asbestos settlement defended U.S. coasts and waterways. Due to the duties of the branch, it is not surprising that asbestos was found in Coast Guard ships and at military bases.
Veterans of the Coast Guard are eligible for VA benefits that can help pay for medical care in the event of asbestos-related diseases. Due to the long mesothelioma latency time it is essential that victims receive a diagnosis as soon as they can.
Veterans of the Army are at risk of mesothelioma due to their frequent exposure to military vehicles, aircrafts and barracks. Asbestos was an essential component of military equipment due to the fact that it was cheap and provided the properties of insulation and fire resistance. In the 1980s, asbestos was banned for new uses. However asbestos-containing pipe insulation, cement sheets, floor tiles and roof tiles remained in a multitude of military areas. This “legacy” asbestos was a source of danger to soldiers.
Veterans may be eligible for legal aid to obtain compensation from asbestos producers, regardless of the field of service they served. While financial aid isn’t a cure for mesothelioma in veterans but it can help provide some stability to families who are struggling.
PHOENIX GAMING PC