Military Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos was utilized in Navy ships for pipe insulation as well as fireproofing, floor tiles and other construction materials. It was also used in ship engines and boilers, and vehicle and aircraft brakes and clutches.
These veterans may have developed mesothelioma or another health problems. These veterans include Army personnel, Air Force personnel and Marine Corps personnel.
Navy
Veterans of the Navy faced the greatest danger of exposure to asbestos due to the material's widespread use in ships and shipyards. Asbestos was also found in those who were involved in the construction, repair, or demolition of naval vessels, as well as on ships.
Asbestos was one of the most popular materials for Navy ship construction as it could insulate against fire, heat and water. It was employed in the hulls of Navy ships as well as in boiler rooms, engine rooms and other mechanical areas. It also was used in plumbing fixtures and adhesives, industrial compounds and cabin insulation.
Many Navy veterans have developed mesothelioma due to these types of work after being on or near ships. This includes those who were laggers on Navy vessels (insulators), mechanics' mates who fixed machinery and engine components that contain asbestos packing, as well as damage control workers who perform rescue and firefighting in the event of a hostile attack.
Asbest poses a threat for those who work in the Coast Guard, as many of the ships used by the military have asbestos. Santa Barbara asbestos lawyer was due to asbestos was a cost-effective, fireproof material that protected against the heat and cold. It was used in many Navy ships as well as various military vehicles, aircrafts, and barracks.
Patients 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 written summary of asbestos exposure must be provided. This includes the date and time the individual was exposed and the specific roles he or she served in. It is also necessary to prove that at least half of the veteran's exposure to asbestos occurred during military service.
Air Force
Asbestos, which is a mineral of natural origin, has distinctive properties which make it valuable in military construction projects. It is fire resistant as well as heat, electricity, and chemical corrosion resistant, and extremely affordable to purchase and use. It was used throughout the military from 1940 to the 1990s. As a result, veterans from all branches of the military were exposed to asbestos at high levels. Air Force veterans who served during this time are at a greater risk of developing asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma.
As with other branches of the military, the Air Force built its bases with asbestos-containing components. The toxic substance was frequently used in boilers, pipes and other insulation products across bases. Airmen were exposed to asbestos in bases such as hospitals, mess rooms, and even shops. Asbestos is a fine and scaly substance, which means the dust that results could be carried from one location to another by people visiting and departing from bases. Personnel like mechanics, electricians and custodians are able to carry asbestos fibers on their clothing and hair from one area to another.
Mechanical workers, welders and other airmen who work on aircrafts are also at high risk of being exposed to asbestos. The dangerous fibers would get into the lungs when breathed and cause damage to lung tissue and eventually develop into mesothelioma. Mesothelioma affects the lining of the lungs and chest cavity, and can lead to serious complications and symptoms.
Asbestos victims should consult an experienced mesothelioma lawyer in order to learn about their legal options. An attorney can assist veterans, or their family, in bringing an action against companies that sold harmful products that put them at risk of mesothelioma. The lawsuits seek compensation from companies that prioritized profits over safety.
Army
Veterans of the Army who served between World War II and the 1970s may have been exposed to asbestos through their military service. Both women and men are at risk of developing mesothelioma that is aggressive and other asbestos-related diseases later in life.
Soldiers might have been exposed to asbestos in barracks, bases and ships that contained asbestos. Asbestos was a very popular building material in the era of asbestos because it was fireproof and durable. It was also reasonably priced.
The Army used asbestos in a range of products, such as pipe insulation, fireproofing sprays and flooring materials. Those products were used to build and repair a variety of equipment and vehicles, including tanks, ships and automobiles.
Asbestos-related illnesses can take a long time to develop. Many veterans were diagnosed years after their active service. During war, soldiers in combat zones were exposed to additional asbestos-related risks. These sites were home to asbestos-containing buildings which were destroyed or bombed, which released toxic fibers in the air. This kind of exposure also happened at bases in the United States, as well as at ports and other locations overseas.
Veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma or other asbestos-related illnesses resulting from their military service are entitled to make a VA disability claim. Compensation varies depending on the severity of a veteran's health condition and the amount they were exposed to asbestos while being a military. However, the Department of Veterans Affairs does not pay mesothelioma patients even if it is not directly related to their military service. The agency instead provides monthly compensation to veterans who meet the requirements for disability. The money is used to pay medical bills, living expenses and other needs associated with the disease.
Marines
Marines could have been exposed to asbestos via military ships, vehicles bases, aircraft and even bases. Those who worked as Marine mechanics on vehicles and transport vehicles such as the M60 Patton tank ran the highest risk of exposure. They were exposed to asbestos brake pads, gaskets and seals on vehicles. Asbestos fibers were released into air as the materials began to degrade. 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 used in Navy ship components like boilers, incinerators and engines to shield them from fire and extreme heat. Asbestos fibers could circulate throughout the ship's compartments due to the lack of ventilation. When the insulation deteriorated or wore out it would release asbestos fibers into the air. Air force veterans could be exposed. Asbestos was used to insulate military aircrafts and was found in engine parts, rotors fuel systems, hydraulic systems.
In 1994, the Marine Corps introduced an asbestos safety program that was OSHA compliant. Prior to 1994 asbestos was removed from hundreds of Marine bases and barracks as well as mechanical shops. This was generally performed by untrained teams of men in the enlisted ranks.
Asbestos exposure in Marines can cause various serious health conditions including mesothelioma and lung cancer as well as asbestosis. Veterans who are diagnosed with these diseases should seek specialized treatment at a VA hospital or one of the best mesothelioma centers. It is vital to know that mesothelioma, and other asbestos-related illnesses have long latency time. This means that the symptoms typically do not appear until many decades after the initial exposure.
Coast Guard
The Coast Guard used asbestos to insulate vessels and fireproof them from fire. 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 was also found in the insulation, piping and other building materials on many Coast Guard ships. Because of their exposure for a long time to asbestos-containing products, these veterans are at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma and other respiratory illnesses.
As with the Navy and Air Force veterans, Coast Guard veterans could have been exposed to asbestos frequently on ships and shipyards. These men and women performed missions of search and rescue and defended the environment. They also defended U.S. coasts and waterways. Due to the responsibilities of the branch it's 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 assist in the payment of medical expenses if they develop asbestos-related illnesses. It is important to diagnose mesothelioma as soon as possible due to its lengthy time of latency.
Veterans of the Army are at a high risk of developing mesothelioma due to their frequent exposures to military vehicles, planes and barracks. Asbestos was a major element in military equipment since it was cheap and provided the properties of insulation and fire resistance. After the 1980s, asbestos was banned for new uses. However asbestos-containing pipe insulation cement sheets floor tiles, floor tiles and roof tiles remained in hundreds of military areas. This "legacy" asbestos was a source of danger to soldiers.
Veterans may be eligible for legal assistance in order to pursue compensation from asbestos producers, regardless of the field of their service. While nothing can completely eliminate a veteran's mesothelioma however, financial aid can provide some semblance of stability for families facing crisis.