Its The Myths And Facts Behind Asbestos Exposure

Military Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos is used in the construction of Navy ships for pipe insulation, fireproofing and floor tiles. It was also used in ship engines and boilers and in aircraft and vehicle brakes and clutches.
Service members who were exposed to asbestos on bases in the military could have developed mesothelioma or other health issues. They include Army, Air Force and Marine Corps personnel.
Navy
The most at-risk group was the Navy veterans due to the widespread use of asbestos in ships and shipyards. People who were exposed to asbestos included those who worked on the construction, repair or demolition of naval ships and those who performed day-to-day services on vessels.
Asbestos was a well-known choice for Navy ship construction since it was able to insulate against fire, heat and water. It was used in the hull, engine rooms, boiler rooms and other mechanical areas on Navy ships. It was also employed in industrial compound, cabin insulation and plumbing fixtures.
Because of these uses, many Navy veterans developed mesothelioma following working on or around ships. This includes those who were laggers on Navy vessels (insulators) and the machinists' mates who repaired machinery and engine components that contain asbestos packing, as as damage control workers who are responsible for rescue and firefighting in the event of a hostile attack.
Furthermore, those who served in the Coast Guard face exposure risks due to the fact that military ships typically included asbestos. This was due to asbestos was a cost-effective and fireproof material that insulated against the cold and heat. It was used in numerous Navy ships as well as a variety military vehicles, aircrafts, and barracks.
Asbestos veterans who are diagnosed with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases may apply for compensation from the VA through their disability compensation system. To prove that the illness is due to military service, a written summary of exposure to asbestos must be submitted. This includes the location and time the individual was exposed to asbestos, as well as the specific roles they were involved in. It must also show that at least half of the veteran's exposure to asbestos occurred during their 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 and is insulated from electrical and heat as well as chemical corrosion, and is very cheap to purchase and use. It was utilized in the military from 1940 to the 1990s. This meant that veterans from all branches of the military were exposed asbestos at high levels. Air Force veterans who served in this period are at a greater chance of developing asbestos-related ailments like mesothelioma.
Like other branches of the military, the Air Force built its bases with asbestos-containing materials. The toxic material was often used in pipes, boilers, and other insulation products across bases. Airmen were exposed to asbestos when they resided in or visited bases like mess halls, hospitals and areas for shops. Asbestos is a fine and scaly substance, so the dust it produces could be transported from one place to another by those who were who were on and off base. Personnel such as mechanics electricians and custodians are able to carry asbestos fibers on their clothing and hair from one place to another.
Airmen who worked on aircraft like welders and mechanics, were also at a higher chance of exposure to asbestos. The dangerous fibers would get into the lungs when breathed and cause damage to the lung tissues, which often develops into mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the lining of the chest cavity and lungs. It can cause serious symptoms.
To learn about their legal rights asbestos victims should speak to an experienced mesothelioma lawyer. An attorney can help a veteran or their family file a lawsuit against the manufacturers who manufactured and sold the harmful products that caused their exposure to mesothelioma. These lawsuits seek compensation from companies that prioritized profits over safety.
Army
Asbest was likely used by veterans of the Army who served from World War II to the 1970s. Both women and men are at risk for developing mesothelioma that is aggressive or other asbestos-related diseases later in life.
Soldiers could have been exposed to asbestos in barracks, bases and ships that contained asbestos. Asbestos is a fire-resistant and durable building material, was popular at the time. It was also very affordable.
The Army used asbestos to make a variety of products such as pipe insulation, spray-on fireproofing and flooring materials. These products were used to construct and repair a variety of vehicles and equipment including tanks, ships and cars.
Asbestos-related illnesses take decades to develop, so many veterans were diagnosed after their active military service. During war, soldiers in combat zones were exposed to additional asbestos exposure dangers. These locations had asbestos-containing structures that were destroyed or bombed, which released harmful fibers in the air. This kind of exposure occurred at bases in the United States, as well as at ports and other locations overseas.
Veterans who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or other asbestos-related ailments due to their military service, have the right to make a VA disability claim. The amount of compensation will be determined by the degree of the veteran's illness, and the amount of asbestos exposure that he or she received while a member of the military. However, the Department of Veterans Affairs does not provide compensation to veterans suffering from mesothelioma in cases where it is not directly related to their military service. The agency instead offers monthly compensation to veterans who meet the disability standards. The compensation can be used for medical expenses, living costs and other expenses that are related to the illness.
Marines
Marines could have been exposed to asbestos through military ships, bases, vehicles and aircraft. Marine mechanics working on vehicles and those who worked on transport vehicles such as the M60 Patton Tank, were at the greatest danger of being exposed to asbestos. They were exposed to asbestos gaskets, brake pads, and seals on vehicles. Asbestos fibers were released into the air when these materials deteriorated. Inhaling the fibers can cause mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.
Navy veterans who served before the 1980s are also at risk. Asbestos was commonly utilized in Navy ship components such as boilers and incinerators to guard them from fire and excessive heat. Asbestos fibers were able to circulate through the compartments of the ship due to the lack of ventilation. As insulation deteriorated fibers would escape into the air. Veterans of the Air Force could be at risk of being exposed. Asbestos was used to insulate 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 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. It was usually done by untrained crews of enlisted men.
Marines exposed to asbestos can develop serious health issues like mesothelioma or lung cancer. Veterans who are diagnosed with these diseases need to seek out specialized treatment at a VA hospital or top mesothelioma treatment centers. It is crucial to be aware that mesothelioma as well as other asbestos-related diseases have long time periods of latency. This means that symptoms typically are not evident until decades after the initial exposure.
Coast Guard
Asbestos was utilized throughout the Coast Guard to insulate and fireproof vessels. Coast Guard veterans who served at the Curtis Bay Coast Guard Yard were particularly at risk for exposure. 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 insulation and piping of many Coast Guard vessels. These veterans are at a high risk of developing mesothelioma asbestosis and other respiratory illnesses because of their prolonged exposure to asbestos-containing, toxic materials.
Similar to the Navy and Air Force, Coast Guard veterans may have had to endure regular exposure to asbestos on vessels and in shipyards. They were able to perform missions of search and rescue, and also protected the environment. El Monte defended U.S. coasts and waterways. Due to the responsibilities 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 if they develop asbestos-related illnesses. Due to the long mesothelioma latency time it is crucial that victims receive a diagnosis as soon as possible.
Army veterans are at high risk of developing mesothelioma as a result of their frequent exposures to aircrafts, military vehicles and barracks. Asbestos was a key element in military equipment since it was cheap and provided fire resistance and insulation properties. When asbestos-based products were banned in the 1980s hundreds of military facilities remained covered with asbestos pipes insulation, roof tiles, cement sheets, and floor tiles. This "legacy asbestos" kept asbestos in danger for soldiers.
No matter what branch of the military veterans served in, they could be eligible for legal assistance to pursue compensation from asbestos producers. Although financial aid won't cure mesothelioma in veterans but it can provide peace to families struggling.