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 brakes for aircraft and vehicle vehicles and clutches.
Service members who were exposed to asbestos in 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 because of the widespread use of asbestos in ship and shipyards. Asbestos was also present in those who were involved in the construction, repair or removal of naval vessels as well as on vessels.
Asbestos was a popular choice for Navy ship construction as it could provide insulation against fire, heat and water. It was used throughout the hull, engine rooms boiler rooms, and other mechanical areas on Navy ships. It was also used in adhesives, industrial compound, cabin insulation, and plumbing fixtures.
Due to these uses, many Navy veterans developed mesothelioma after working on or within ships. This includes those who were laggers on Navy vessels (insulators) and the machinists' mates who repaired engines and equipment that contained asbestos packing, as well being damage control workers who are responsible for firefighting and rescue in the event of a hostile attack.
Additionally, those who served in the Coast Guard face exposure risks since the ships of the military often included asbestos. The primary reason was the fact that asbestos was a low-cost and fireproof material that protected against cold and heat. It was used in many Navy ships as well as various military vehicles, aircrafts and barracks.
Asbestos veterans who are diagnosed with mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases may apply for compensation from the VA through their disability compensation system. To prove that the disease is due to military service, a written account of asbestos exposure needs to be provided. This includes the date and time the veteran was exposed as well as what specific roles he she served 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 very inexpensive to buy and use. It was employed in the military from 1940 until the 1990s. This led to high rates of asbestos exposure among veterans in every branch. Air Force veterans who served during this time are at greater risk of developing asbestos-related illnesses, such as mesothelioma.
Like other branches of the military Like other branches of the military, the Air Force built its bases using asbestos-containing materials. The toxic substance was frequently used in boilers, pipes and other insulation products throughout bases. Airmen were exposed to asbestos in bases like mess rooms, hospitals and even shops. Asbestos is a very fine and scaly substance, which means the resulting dust could easily be carried from one area to another by those visiting and departing from bases. Mechanics, electricians, custodians and other workers could carry asbestos fibers in microscopic pieces from one area of the building to another on their clothes and hair.
Mechanical workers, welders and other airmen who work on aircrafts are also at risk of being exposed to asbestos. Inhaling Iowa City asbestos lawyer could cause damage to the tissues of the lungs, which can result in mesothelioma. Mesothelioma affects the lung's lining and chest cavity, and can cause serious symptoms and complications.
To learn about their legal rights asbestos victims should speak with an experienced mesothelioma lawyer. A lawyer can help veterans or their family in filing an action against the manufacturers who sold toxic products that put them at risk of mesothelioma. These lawsuits seek to compensate companies that put profits ahead of safety.
Army
Asbest was likely employed by veterans of the Army who served from World War II to the 1970s. Both women and men are at risk of developing mesothelioma that is aggressive and other asbestos-related illnesses late in life.
Soldiers may have been exposed asbestos in barracks and bases which contained asbestos. Asbestos is a fire-resistant and long-lasting building material, was a popular choice at the time. It was also affordable.
The Army employed asbestos in a range of products including pipe insulation, fireproofing sprays, and flooring materials. The asbestos products were used to construct and repair a variety of vehicles and equipment, including ships, tanks, and automobiles.
Asbestos-related diseases can take decades to develop. Many veterans were diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases many years after their active service. During war, soldiers in combat zones were exposed to further asbestos exposure risks. These sites had asbestos-containing buildings that were destroyed or bombed, releasing harmful fibers in the air. This type of exposure occurred at bases in the United States as well as ports and other overseas locations.
Veterans who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases caused by their military service have the right to file an VA disability claim. Compensation is based on the severity of the veteran's condition, and the amount of asbestos exposure he or she experienced during their time as a military. However, the Department of Veterans Affairs does not provide compensation to veterans suffering from mesothelioma even if it is 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 expenses associated with the disease.
Marines
Marines could have been exposed to asbestos through bases, military ships vehicles, and aircraft. Marine vehicle mechanics 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 frequently exposed to asbestos-containing gaskets, seals and brake pads on vehicles. If these materials degraded or became damaged, they would release asbestos fibers into the air. Inhaling the fibers could cause mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.
Navy veterans who served before the 1980s are also at risk. Asbestos was frequently used in Navy ship components, such as boilers and incinerators to safeguard them from fire and extreme heat. Asbestos fibres were able to circulate through the compartments of the ship because these parts had poor ventilation. If the insulation became degraded or was worn out, it would release fibers into the air. Air Force veterans could also be exposed. Asbestos was used to insulate military aircraft and was also found in engine parts and rotors as well as in hydraulic systems, fuel systems system, and fuel systems.
In 1994 the Marine Corps implemented an OSHA-compatible asbestos safety program. Prior to 1994, asbestos was removed in hundreds of Marine base facilities and barracks, as well as mechanical shops. This was generally performed by untrained teams of men in the enlisted ranks.
Asbestos exposure among Marines can lead to various serious health conditions, including mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. Patients suffering from these diseases are advised to seek specialized treatment at a VA Hospital or one of the top mesothelioma treatment facilities. It is crucial to know that mesothelioma, as well as other asbestos-related illnesses are characterized by long latency times. This means that symptoms usually do not appear until many years after the initial exposure.
Coast Guard
Asbestos was employed throughout the Coast Guard to insulate and protect vessels from fire. The 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 was also present in the insulation, pipes and other building materials on numerous Coast Guard ships. Because of their prolonged exposure to asbestos-containing products, these veterans are at a high risk of developing mesothelioma as well as other respiratory diseases.
Similar to Navy and Air Force veterans, Coast Guard veterans may have been exposed to asbestos regularly on shipyards and ships. They conducted missions of search and rescue, protected the environment, and defended U.S. coastlines and waterways. It's not surprising given the responsibilities of the branch that asbestos was discovered in Coast Guard ships and military bases.
Coast Guard veterans are eligible to receive VA benefits to pay for medical treatment if they suffer from an asbestos-related disease. It is important to diagnose mesothelioma as early as possible because of its lengthy latency period.
Veterans of the Army are at a high risk of developing mesothelioma as a result of their frequent exposures to military vehicles, planes and barracks. Asbestos was an essential element in military equipment since it was inexpensive and offered the properties of insulation and fire resistance. In the 1980s, asbestos was prohibited for new uses. However asbestos-containing pipe insulation, cement sheets floor tiles, floor tiles and roof tiles remained in a variety of military zones. This "legacy asbestos" kept asbestos in danger for soldiers.
Veterans may be entitled to legal assistance to obtain compensation from asbestos producers, regardless of the field of their service. While nothing can completely eliminate mesothelioma in a veteran, financial assistance can provide some semblance of stability for families that are in a the midst of a crisis.