Five Asbestos Exposure Lessons From The Professionals

Military Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos is a component used in the construction of Navy ships for pipe insulation, fireproofing and floor tiles. It was also used in ship engines, boilers as well as in aircraft and vehicle brakes, and clutches.
Service personnel exposed to asbestos in bases in the military could have developed mesothelioma or other health issues. These veterans include Army personnel, Air Force personnel and Marine Corps personnel.
Navy
Navy veterans were at the highest danger of exposure to asbestos due to the material's extensive use in ship and shipyard buildings. Recommended Studying exposed to asbestos included those working in the construction and repair of naval ships and those who performed day-to-day services aboard vessels.
Asbestos was used 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 and also in boiler rooms, engine rooms and other mechanical areas. It was also used in industrial compound, cabin insulation and plumbing fixtures.
Many Navy veterans have developed mesothelioma due to these activities after working close to or near ships. This includes those who were employed as laggers (insulators) on Navy ships and machinist's mates who repair engines and equipment that contained asbestos packing, and damage control workers who perform firefighting and rescue tasks in the event of an enemy attack.
Furthermore, those who served in the Coast Guard face exposure risks since the ships of the military often incorporated asbestos. The main reason for this was the fact that asbestos was an inexpensive and fireproof material which insulated against cold and heat. It was used on many of the Navy's ships and many of the military's aircrafts, vehicles and barracks.
Asbestos veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases can seek compensation from the VA through their disability compensation system. However the written asbestos exposure summary is required to show how the condition was connected to military service. This includes where and when the veteran was exposed asbestos, and the specific role they served in. It must also prove that at least 50 percent of the veteran's asbestos exposure occurred during their military service.
Air Force
Asbestos, a mineral of natural origin, has distinct properties which make it valuable in military construction projects. It is durable and fire-resistant protects against electrical and heat as well as chemical corrosion, and is inexpensive to acquire and use. It was utilized in the military from 1940 to the 1990s. This led to high rates of exposure to asbestos among veterans of all branches. Air Force veterans who served during this time are particularly at risk of developing an asbestos-related condition, such as mesothelioma.
Like other branches of the military The Air Force built its bases with asbestos-containing materials. The toxic material was used in pipes and boilers, along with other insulation products, throughout bases. Airmen were exposed to asbestos in bases, such as mess rooms, hospitals, and shops. Asbestos is a remarkably smooth and soft material which means that the dust it produces can easily be smuggled from one location to the next. Personnel like mechanics, electricians and custodians could easily carry asbestos fibers on their clothing and hair from one area to another.
mechanics, welders, and other airmen who work on aircraft are also at high risk of asbestos exposure. The harmful fibers could get into the lungs when inhaled and cause damage to lung tissue and eventually develop into mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the lining within the chest cavity and lungs. It can cause serious symptoms.
Asbestos sufferers should consult an experienced mesothelioma attorney to learn about their legal options. A lawyer can assist a veteran or their family bring a lawsuit against 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
Veterans of the Army who served between World War II and the 1970s could have been exposed to asbestos during their military service. Both women and men are at risk of developing mesothelioma that is aggressive or other asbestos-related illnesses later in life.
Soldiers might have been exposed to asbestos in barracks, bases and ships that contained asbestos. Asbestos was a popular building material at the time because it was fireproof and durable. It was also very affordable.
The Army made use of asbestos to create various products such as pipe insulation, fireproofing spray-on and flooring materials. The asbestos products were used to construct and repair various types of vehicles and equipment, including ships, tanks, and cars.
Asbestos-related diseases can take years to develop, and many veterans were diagnosed long after their active military service. In times of war, troops who were deployed to combat zones were exposed to additional asbestos exposure risk. These sites had asbestos-containing buildings that were destroyed or bombed, releasing toxic fibers into the air. This type of exposure also happened 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 illnesses resulting from their military service are entitled 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 while a member of the military. However the Department of Veterans Affairs does not pay mesothelioma patients in cases where it is not directly linked to their military service. The agency instead offers monthly payments to veterans who meet the disability standards. The compensation can be used to pay medical expenses, living expenses and other needs associated with the illness.
Marines
Marines may have been exposed to asbestos on military ships, vehicles bases, aircraft and even bases. Marine mechanics of vehicles and those who worked on transport vehicles such as the M60 Patton Tank, were most at risk of exposure to asbestos. They were exposed to asbestos brake pads, gaskets and seals on vehicles. Asbestos fibers were released into air when these materials deteriorated. The fibers could be inhaled by those living in the vicinity and lead to the development of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.
Navy veterans who served prior to the 1980s were also at risk of exposure. Asbestos was used in Navy ship components, such as boilers, incinerators and engines to protect them from fire and excessive heat. Asbestos fibers were able to circulate through the compartments of the ship due to the lack of ventilation. If the insulation became degraded or was worn out it would release asbestos fibers into the air. Air Force veterans may also be exposed. Asbestos was used to insulate military aircrafts and was found in engine parts, rotors, fuel systems and hydraulic systems.
In 1994, the Marine Corps implemented an OSHA-compatible asbestos safety program to protect workers from asbestos. Prior to that, there were a myriad of Marine barracks, base facilities and mechanical shops where haphazard asbestos removal was carried out. This was generally performed by untrained teams of enlisted men.
Asbestos exposure in Marines can cause a variety of serious health conditions including mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. Veterans diagnosed with these illnesses need to seek out specialized treatment at a VA hospital or one of the top mesothelioma treatment centers. It is crucial to understand that mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses have long latency periods. This means that symptoms don't typically show up until decades after the initial exposure.
Coast Guard
The Coast Guard used asbestos to protect vessels from fire and insulate them. Veterans of the Coast Guard who worked at the Curtis Bay Coast Guard Yard are at a greater 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 was also found in the insulation, piping and other building materials found on many Coast Guard ships. Because of their prolonged exposure to asbestos-containing materials, the veterans are at a greater risk of developing mesothelioma as well as other respiratory illnesses.
As with the Navy and Air Force veterans, Coast Guard veterans may have been exposed to asbestos regularly in shipyards and on ships. They conducted missions of search and rescue, protected the environment and safeguarded U.S. coastlines and waterways. It is not surprising given the responsibilities of the branch that asbestos was found in Coast Guard ships and military bases.
Coast Guard veterans are eligible for VA benefits to pay for medical treatments if they develop an asbestos-related condition. It is important to diagnose mesothelioma early because of its lengthy time of latency.
Veterans of the Army are at a high risk of developing mesothelioma due to their frequent exposures to aircrafts, military vehicles and barracks. Asbestos was utilized in military equipment due to its low cost, fire resistance and insulation properties. As asbestos' new uses were banned in the 1980s hundreds of military areas remained with asbestos pipe insulation, roof tiles, cement sheets, and floor tiles. This "legacy asbestos" preserved the danger for soldiers.
Veterans may be eligible for legal assistance to obtain compensation from asbestos manufacturers, regardless of the branch of service they were in. While financial aid can't cure mesothelioma in veterans, it can offer some peace to families struggling.