Asbestos Exposure in the Military

Asbestos was a widely-used material in military bases, barracks and vehicles until it was found to have dangerous and deadly health effects. Veterans from all branches of the military may have been exposed to asbestos and be at the risk of developing mesothelioma and other diseases.

Navy veterans face the highest likelihood of exposure, due to the extensive asbestos use on Navy vessels. Army Veterans who constructed or repaired vessels and motor vehicles, as well as those who repaired them, are also at risk.

Military Occupational Specialty (MOS)

Asbestos was a favored building material for decades before it was discovered to cause negative health consequences. Asbestos exposure in United States military was widespread and many veterans from every branch being exposed to asbestos and subsequently developing mesothelioma or other illnesses from inhaling the harmful mineral. The Boston asbestos lawyers at the Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers have years of experience in helping Army veterans obtain VA benefits and compensation for mesothelioma as well as other asbestos-related diseases.

The Navy employed asbestos extensively on ships and submarines during WWII. Asbestos is likely to be present in compartments, sleeping quarters, and other areas aboard, as well at nearby shipyards, construction sites and shipyards.

Air Force veterans may also have been exposed to asbestos while serving. Asbestos was frequently used in aircraft, including rotors, fuel systems and hydraulics. Asbestos was also used for thermal insulation, fireproofing and gaskets.

Asbestos was often present in the work of Navy pipefitters and welding crews. Lagging that contained asbestos was frequently used on pipes that ran the entire length of a ship. Welders working in the Navy were often required to remove this lagging before making repairs. Navy pipefitters frequently worked with asbestos-containing insulation, gaskets and seals. William Smith, a Navy pipefitter, was diagnosed with mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure after developing lung cancer.

Metal fabricators and steelworkers in the Navy were often exposed to asbestos while working at a shipyard or construction sites. Asbestos is utilized as an insulation material, a fireproofing material and a welding materials. Inhaling asbestos fibers poses a serious health risk for any type of welding particularly when it’s damp.

Army, Marine Corps, Navy and Air Force veterans who worked on motor vehicles or ships were exposed to asbestos as a part of their job. Veterans can focus on the treatment they receive for mesothelioma, not worrying about everyday living expenses. These veterans could be entitled to compensation for mesothelioma from negligent asbestos manufacturers. They were aware of the risks associated with asbestos and should be held accountable for their victims’ medical bills. Asbestos lawsuits have helped many asbestos victims receive substantial compensation.

Signs and symptoms

Veterans who have been exposed to asbestos have developed many serious diseases. Exposure to asbestos increases the chance of developing mesothelioma as well as lung cancer. These illnesses can take between 20 to 50 years to develop. Many veterans who were employed in Army bases, Navy Shipyards, and Air Force Bases can receive compensation for asbestos exposure and health issues.

The military heavily relied on asbestos-based products until the 1980s. Navy shipyards, Coast Guard yards and Army bases all relied on asbestos to build and repair naval ships. Navy sailors were particularly at risk of exposure. Asbestos can be found in ship engines, boiler room and deck flooring.

Asbestos was also present in the workplaces of military workers who were employed in other fields, such as insulators and pipefitters. Asbestos was often used in building materials such as walls, roofs and doors. The Navy used asbestos to create fireproofing.

These hazardous materials could pose a health risk for soldiers and women, even if they were not in the base or ship. When a person inhaled asbestos fibers, they remained inside the lungs for long periods of time and resulted in scarring on the lung’s cells. As time passed the scarring on the lungs became so severe that the condition asbestosis was triggered.

Asbestosis isn’t a cancer, but it can cause other health problems including mesothelioma, which takes between 20 and 50 years to develop following exposure. Mesothelioma can be six to nine times more likely to occur in people with pleural plaques. Pleural plaques are a type of asbestosis that isn’t cancerous.

Secondhand exposure to asbestos may also cause mesothelioma. This is especially true when a family member was employed as a worker or was in the military and handled asbestos-based products. This is due to the fact that asbestos fibers can be transported through the air. Asbestos victims typically brought these harmful fibers home on their clothes and exposed to their family members. Secondhand mesothelioma cases usually involve children, spouses, and siblings of those who were exposed to asbestos at work. In these instances, a mesothelioma patient’s surviving spouse or child can receive compensation for the illness caused by asbestos of their loved one.

Treatment

Veterans with mesothelioma have a variety of treatment options that can assist with symptoms, reduce the progression of mesothelioma and prevent complications. These include surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Most often, doctors suggest a combination of these treatments, depending on the type of asbestos-related disease.

Asbestos is a toxic substance that was widely used on military bases and in ships, aircrafts and vehicles. It was added in cement mixes, drywall as well as roofing spackling and spackling to protect against fire and insulate them. These materials were damaged during repair and maintenance, putting service members at risk.

Marine Corps veterans were exposed asbestos in barracks as well as on naval vessels, during transportation as well as when they worked on vehicles and aircrafts. Asbestos was found in ship insulation, electrical wiring and boiler rooms and engine components and manufactured components like brake pads and clutches. Marines who worked on vehicles-related equipment were at a high risk of asbestos exposure because they often interacted with these components.

Asbestos is a pliable, durable material that was used to insulate valves, pipes and boilers. It was also used for floor tile and ceiling insulation. Its properties as an insulator, along with its affordability and simple manufacturing, made asbestos an ideal material for fireproofing. asbestos lawsuit payouts resists heat, which helped make it an extremely popular choice for engine parts like turbines and engines.

Asbestos has been linked to a number of illnesses such as mesothelioma. Lung cancer and mesothelioma are two kinds of diseases caused by asbestos fibers. These cancers cause malignant tumors in the chest and lungs.

The asbestos producers responsible for the mesothelioma of patients with asbestos-related ailments could be able to compensate them financially. The money is used to cover medical expenses and other support services. To qualify for this type of assistance, the victims must go through a thorough procedure which includes getting medical records and other critical documents. It is essential to seek legal representation for victims of mesothelioma who have experienced the hardships that come with this disease.

VA Benefits

Veterans who suffer from asbestos-related ailments are entitled to disability benefits and compensation. It is often difficult for veterans to prove that their condition is related to their military service. This is because many symptoms are mistaken for other conditions, like smoking-induced COPD. This is why it is crucial for Veterans to file a VA claim as soon as possible. A mesothelioma lawyer who is experienced can assist veterans in gathering the evidence needed to submit a successful claim.

Each veteran’s exposure to asbestos is different, however there are certain military branches that were at a higher chance of being exposed to the toxic mineral. Navy veterans were frequently at risk due to the duration of their time aboard ships and shipyards. The vessels contained asbestos in a variety of locations, including the boiler room and engine living quarters, as well as aircraft machinery. Air Force veterans were also at risk due to the fact that they frequently worked with planes and military vehicles which contained asbestos.

Although asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral however, it has to be mined and processed to be used in the military. If asbestos isn’t handled correctly, it can break down and become airborne. When inhaled, these tiny fibers enter the lungs and abdomen, and cause irritation to the membranes that are found in the stomach and chest. These fibers can cause the tissues of the stomach and chest to swell over time. These tumors, referred to as mesothelioma, are among the most hazardous form of asbestos-related cancer.

Other asbestos-related diseases that could develop include respiratory issues like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). These symptoms are often mistaken for smoking-induced COPD however it is essential for Veterans to consult with a physician and get a clear diagnosis.


The Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, located in Miami, is a center for treatment for many Veterans who suffer from asbestos-related diseases. This facility is located just few minutes away from the Miami VA Medical Center. The VA could provide financial assistance to Veterans who don’t live in the area. This can include travel and housing costs. Many mesothelioma specialists offer private practice options to patients who do not wish to visit an VA facility.
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