Military Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos is used in the construction of Navy ships for pipe insulation, fireproofing and floor tiles. It was also used in boilers and engines for ships, and vehicle and aircraft brakes and clutches.
Some veterans may have developed mesothelioma, or other health issues. These veterans include Army, Air Force and Marine Corps personnel.
Navy
Navy veterans were at the highest danger of exposure to asbestos because of the material's widespread use in ships and shipyard buildings. People who were exposed to asbestos included those who worked in the building and maintenance of naval vessels, as well as those who performed day-to-day services on vessels.
Asbestos was utilized in the construction of Navy ships because it could be used to protect against water, heat and fire. It was utilized in the hulls of Navy ships as well as in boiler rooms, engine rooms and other mechanical spaces. It was also used in plumbing fixtures, adhesives, industrial compounds, and cabin insulation.
Because of these uses many Navy veterans developed mesothelioma as a result of working on or around ships. This includes those who were employed as laggers (insulators) on Navy ships, machinist's mates who fix engine components and machines that had asbestos packing and damage control workers who carry out rescue and firefighting duties in the event of an enemy 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. The primary reason was the fact that asbestos was an inexpensive and fireproof material which insulated against heat and cold. It was used on many of the Navy's vessels as well as many of the military's aircrafts, vehicles, and barracks.
Veterans diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma are eligible for compensation through the VA's disability compensation system. To prove that the condition is related to military service, a detailed account of asbestos exposure must be submitted. This includes when and where the veteran was exposed asbestos, as well as the specific roles they served in. It also must show that at least 50% of the veteran's asbestos exposure occurred during their military service.
Air Force
Asbestos is an all-natural mineral with unique properties that make it an ideal choice for military construction projects. It is fire-resistant as well as heat, electricity, and chemical corrosion resistant, and very inexpensive to buy and use. It was utilized in the military from 1940 until the late 1990s. This meant that veterans from all branches of the military were exposed asbestos at high levels. Air Force veterans who served during this time are particularly at risk for developing an asbestos-related illness such as mesothelioma.
As with other branches of the military Like other branches of the military, the Air Force built its bases with asbestos-containing materials. The toxic substance was used in boilers and pipes, along with other insulation products throughout bases. Airmen were exposed to asbestos when they lived in bases, or visited them like mess halls, hospitals and shop areas. Asbestos is a brittle and scaly material, so the dust it produces could be carried from one location to another by those visiting and departing from bases. Custodians, electricians, mechanics and other workers 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 aircrafts are also at high risk of exposure to asbestos. Inhaling the fibers can cause damage to the lungs' tissues and result in mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the lining in the chest cavity and lungs. It can be a cause of serious symptoms.
Asbestos victims should consult an experienced mesothelioma lawyer in order to find out more about their legal options. A lawyer can help veterans or their family in filing an action against companies that sold harmful products which exposed them to mesothelioma. These lawsuits seek compensation from companies that prioritized profits over safety.
Army
Veterans of the Army who served between World War II and the 1970s could 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 ailments later in life.
Soldiers may have been exposed to asbestos in bases, barracks and ships that contained asbestos. Asbestos was a well-known building product at this time because it was fireproof and long-lasting. It was also reasonably priced.
The Army employed asbestos to create a variety of products such as pipe insulation, spray-on fireproofing, and flooring materials. Those products were used to construct and repair many types of vehicles and equipment, including ships, tanks and cars.
Asbestos-related illnesses can take decades to develop, which is why many veterans were diagnosed long after their active military service. During wartime, troops in combat zones were exposed to further asbestos exposure dangers. These sites often had buildings built with asbestos that were destroyed or bombed in order to release the harmful fibers into the air. This type of exposure occurred at bases in the United States as well as ports and other locations overseas.
Veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma, or other asbestos-related illnesses caused by their military service, have the right to file a VA disability claim. The amount of compensation will be determined by the severity of the condition and the amount of asbestos exposure 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 related to their service in the military. The agency instead offers monthly payments to veterans who meet the disability requirements. The money is used to pay medical bills, living expenses, and other needs associated with the disease.
Marines
Marines may have been exposed to asbestos on military ships, vehicles bases, aircraft and even bases. Those who worked as Marine vehicle mechanics and on transport vehicles like the M60 Patton tank ran the greatest risk of exposure. They were frequently exposed to asbestos-containing gaskets, seals and brake pads on vehicles. Asbestos fibers were released into the air as these materials degraded. Inhaling these fibers can lead to mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.
Navy veterans who served before the 1980s are also at risk. Asbestos was frequently employed in Navy ship components such as boilers and incinerators to safeguard them from fire and extreme heat. Asbestos fibers could circulate through the compartments of the ship due to the lack of ventilation. If the insulation degraded or wore away it would release fibers into the air. Air force veterans could be at risk of exposure. Asbestos insulated military aircraft and was found in engine parts, rotors, fuel systems and hydraulic systems.
In 1994, the Marine Corps introduced an asbestos safety program that was OSHA-compliant. Prior to 1994, asbestos was removed in hundreds of Marine base facilities and barracks and mechanical shops. This was typically carried out by untrained crews made up of enlisted men.
Asbestos exposure among Marines can cause various serious health conditions, including mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis. Veterans diagnosed with these illnesses should seek specialized treatment at a VA hospital or one of the best mesothelioma treatment centers. Arlington asbestos attorney is vital to be aware that mesothelioma, as well as other asbestos-related diseases are characterized by long latency times. This means that symptoms don't typically show up until decades after the initial exposure.
Coast Guard
Asbestos was utilized throughout the Coast Guard to insulate and fireproof vessels. 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 many Coast Guard vessels. Due to their long-term exposure to asbestos-containing materials, these veterans are at a high chance of developing mesothelioma and other respiratory diseases.
Similar to the Navy and Air Force, Coast Guard veterans could have experienced regular exposure to asbestos on ships and in shipyards. They conducted search and rescue missions, protected the environment and protected U.S. coastlines and waterways. It is not surprising, given the branch's responsibilities that asbestos was discovered in Coast Guard ships and military bases.
Veterans of the Coast Guard are eligible for VA benefits that can assist in the payment of medical expenses if they develop asbestos-related illnesses. Due to the long mesothelioma latency time, it is important that patients are diagnosed as soon as possible.
Army veterans are at risk for mesothelioma due to their frequent exposure to military vehicles, aircraft and barracks. Asbestos was an essential element in military equipment since it was inexpensive and offered the properties of insulation and fire resistance. After new uses of asbestos were prohibited in the 1980s, hundreds of military zones remained with asbestos pipe insulation roofing tiles, cement sheets and floor tile. This "legacy asbestos" protected the risk for soldiers.
Veterans may be entitled to legal assistance to pursue compensation from asbestos producers, regardless of the field of service they served. While financial aid can't cure mesothelioma among veterans, it can provide stability to families who are struggling.