Asbestos Exposure in the Military
Asbestos
exposure is the main cause of mesothelioma and asbestos was used widely in
the U.S. Military during both peacetime and wartime, mainly from the 1930s
to the 1970s when the dangers of asbestos were not as known as they are now.
Asbestos was used in all military areas, with the highest concentration occurring
on navy ships. Asbestos was cost effective and was used because it was considered
an excellent insulator and it greatly reduced the probability of fires occurring
on navy ships.
During its initial use, the deadly effects were not widely known and military personnel were exposed to asbestos on a daily basis, night and day. Engine and boiler rooms on ships held the most asbestos, but even the mess deck and sleeping quarters contained asbestos. At times, individuals were exposed to asbestos so extensively they could actually see the asbestos fibers flying off of their clothing when they shook them out at the end of the day. However, personnel were also exposed without even being able to see or smell the fibers. Essentially, they had no idea they were being exposed to something that would come back to haunt them decades later.
Below are some answers to questions you may have about asbestos exposure in the military.
- 27. What types of products contain asbestos?
-
- Instruments
- Meters
- Panels
- Gaskets
- Insulating Materials
- Packing Material
- Prefabricated-forms
- Tubes
- Cables
- Capacitors
- Paper-dielectric capacitors
- Mixes
- Block
- Insulation
- Pipe covering
- Adhesives
- Insulation felts
- Thermal materials
- Deck covering materials
- Refractory
- Mortar
- Aggregate mixtures
- Rods
- Valves
- Boilers
- Grinders
- Bonds
- Compounds
- Bedding compounds
- Coatings
- Packing assemblies
- Hydraulic assemblies
- Cement
- Brake linings
- Roof shingles
- Flooring products
- Textiles
- 28. How was I exposed to asbestos while working for the U.S. Military?
- Asbestos-containing materials were used in boiler rooms, sleeping quarters, piping, roofing, flooring, and in general insulation. A majority of the asbestos products were used on ships, but it was used in various areas where military personnel came into contact with the deadly substance on a daily basis.
- 29. What branches of the military are at risk of being diagnosed with mesothelioma?
- Personnel serving in all branches of the military are at risk because asbestos was used in virtually every location where they were serving, especially on navy ships.
- 30. Does mesothelioma only affect veterans?
- No. 30% of all mesothelioma patients in the U.S. are veterans. The remaining 70% work in other occupations such as those working in aluminum plants, chemical plants, oil refineries, power plants, schools, ships, shipyards and steel mills.
- 31. Am I at risk of getting mesothelioma if I didn't serve in the Navy, but I served in other branches of the military?
- Yes, although the risk is higher for personnel who served in the Navy, all military are at risk of being diagnosed with mesothelioma.
- 32. Why did the U.S. Military allow personnel to be exposed to such dangerous materials?
- Ships, planes and other military equipment often reached high temperatures and asbestos was considered the best insulator at the time. Asbestos use was an attempt by the military to keep personnel working in these areas safe. The negative health effects of asbestos were not fully known until the late 1970s.
- 33. Is the U.S. Military held accountable for the health consequences of asbestos exposure during service?
- Veterans are not permitted to seek compensation directly from the U.S. Government, but can request benefits from the Veterans' Administration if they can prove that they developed mesothelioma from asbestos exposure solely from their military service. For more information on what forms to complete for veterans assistance, go to VeteransSupport.us or call (888) 888-1136. The asbestos manufacturers can be held accountable for the deadly effects their products have had on veterans. The best way to seek compensation is by contacting an attorney.
- 34. How was I exposed to asbestos while working for the army, air force and Marine Corps?
- Veterans were exposed to the particles through living quarters, automotive brakes and through military equipment which used asbestos as a heat insulator.
- 35. What other diseases or conditions have been caused by asbestos exposure?
- If you smoke and have been exposed to asbestos you have an increased risk of developing lung cancer. You can develop pleural effusion, which is an accumulation of fluid between the membranes covering the lungs and lining of the chest cavity. Pleural effusion is benign.
- 36. During which wars was asbestos exposure the highest?
- The most extensive use of asbestos was during World War II and the Korean Conflict, but it has been used for several decades during other wars as well. Even now, soldiers are still being exposed to high amounts of asbestos in Iraq where asbestos use is not regulated.
- 37. What percentage of diagnosed mesothelioma cases veterans?
- 30 percent of diagnosed cases are veterans.
- 38. What is secondary exposure?
- Secondary exposure occurs when a shipyard worker or someone who works around asbestos brings home asbestos fibers on their clothing or hair and transfers the fibers to family members. There are also documented cases of people being exposed to asbestos because they live near a mine or plant that is contaminating the air with asbestos fibers.
- 39. Why weren't military personnel made aware of the deadly materials they were being exposed to on a regular basis?
- The extremely negative health effects of asbestos were just not known until the late 1970s. Even when they were known, the government continued to use the substance because of its immense fireproofing capabilities and because it was so affordable.
- 40. Who is held responsible for the mesothelioma disease to veterans caused by asbestos?
- The manufacturers of asbestos-containing products are to be held responsible for this damage.
- 41. Why is the government not taking responsibility for the damage asbestos caused to individuals?
- Because the companies that produced asbestos are to be held responsible for selling a product and they did not take into account how it would affect individuals' health.
- 42. During what years was asbestos used?
- In the U.S. Military, asbestos was used extensively from the 1930s to the 1970s. However, it is still being used in foreign countries where the use is not regulated.
- 43. How long does one have to be exposed to asbestos in order to get mesothelioma?
- According to scientific data, even one day of exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma to develop.
- 44. How many people per year are being diagnosed with mesothelioma due to exposure serving the military?
- Approximately 3,000 people are diagnosed with mesothelioma every year, with 30 percent of those being U.S. Military Veterans.
- 45. In comparison to the affects of Agent Orange used during the Vietnam War, how serious is asbestos exposure?
- Agent Orange caused such a broad range of diseases that included cancer, while asbestos exposure causes a smaller range of diseases and cancers. However, it doesn't lessen the devastating effects that asbestos has on the body because mesothelioma is incurable. Agent Orange is an herbicide that was used during the Vietnam War to remove leaves from trees in order to expose the enemy. Agent Orange was used for about 10 years. Asbestos has been in use for decades and its use was not limited solely to the military during wartime, but was also used in homes, schools and many other locations on a daily basis. Both Agent Orange and asbestos exposure have had serious health consequences on so many people.
- 46. Which wars exposed veterans to asbestos?
-
The
most extensive use of asbestos was during World War II and the Korean Conflict,
but it has been used for several decades during other wars as well. Soldiers
were exposed to asbestos during the Vietnam War, in addition to their exposure
to Agent Orange. - 47. Is there something I could have done during my service to protect myself from getting mesothelioma?
- There is protective gear that could have been worn, but the asbestos particles were surrounding military personnel on a daily basis so they still would have been exposed to high concentrations of asbestos. They were living and working in extremely volatile conditions. Even if soldiers laundered their clothes and bathed before coming home to protect family members from secondary exposure, they still would have been exposed to the asbestos particles.
- 48. Does where I worked during my military experience make a difference in how severe my cancer will be?
- Yes, because people are more likely to experience asbestos-related disorders when they are exposed to higher concentrations of asbestos for longer periods of time and/or more often. Certain areas that you may have worked in will contain more or less amounts of asbestos than others. The more you were exposed to asbestos, the higher the likelihood that you will have more severe cancer.
- 49. Does where I worked during my service dictate when I will first notice symptoms of mesothelioma?
- No, it typically takes 30 years or more for symptoms to develop after asbestos exposure.
- 50. If I have noticed mesothelioma symptoms and I am a veteran of the U.S. Military should I consult with my physician for a checkup?
- Yes. Mesothelioma symptoms can be mistaken for ailments that are much less serious because they are very similar in nature. It is important that you contact your doctor immediately.
Navy Exposure
Asbestos
was used extensively in the navy because it proved to be extremely useful
on ships and in shipyards. The mineral was used because of its excellent
insulation and fire-proofing capabilities. Asbestos was mainly used in the
boiler rooms of ships and personnel working in these areas had the highest
exposure to the dangerous substance.
Below are answers to questions you may have about navy exposure to asbestos.
- 51. Why was asbestos used on ships?
- Ships and shipyards built by the Navy before the mid-1970s contained asbestos materials. It was used in engine and boiler rooms for fire safety purposes. The substance was highly regarded because of its heat resistance and fireproofing capabilities. It was also mainly used for insulation purposes.
- 52. Are there certain parts of the ships used in the navy that contained more asbestos than others?
- The engine and boiler rooms, damage control and pump rooms are where military personnel had the highest risk of being exposed to asbestos on navy ships. The ward room, powder and shot hoist, powder and shot magazine and turrets 1, 2 and 3 were a medium risk for exposure. Even the Junior Officer quarters, anchor windlass room, pilot house, Captain's sea cabin, mess deck, Admiral's Cabin and the Battery Directors were a low risk for asbestos exposure.
- 53. Where was I exposed to asbestos while working for the U.S. Navy Coast Guard, Merchant Marine, and U.S. Army Transport Service?
- Asbestos insulation and asbestos containing materials
were used on:
The engine and boiler rooms, damage control and pump rooms are where military personnel had the highest risk of being exposed to asbestos on navy ships. The ward room, powder and shot hoist, powder and shot magazine and turrets 1, 2 and 3 were a medium risk for exposure. Even the Junior Officer quarters, anchor windlass room, pilot house, Captain's sea cabin, mess deck, Admiral's Cabin and the Battery Directors were a low risk for asbestos exposure.- airships
- amphibious ships
- auxiliary ships
- battleships
- U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary
- cruisers
- destroyers
- destroyer escorts
- escort aircraft carriers
- frigates, minesweepers
- patrol boats
- submarines
- 54. What navy positions were affected most by asbestos exposure?
- Sailors such as gunmen, boilermen and firemen working and living aboard ships were susceptible to inhaling asbestos. Those who had the highest risk of exposure, though, are the people who built the ships- tradesmen such as pipefitters, mechanics, shipfitters, plumbers, electricians, welders and boilermakers.
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