Asbestos Exposure in the Military
Asbestos was a common material in military barracks, bases and vehicles until it was discovered to have dangerous and deadly health consequences. 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 extensive asbestos use on Navy vessels. However, Army Veterans who repaired or built ships and motor vehicles also face risks of exposure.
Military Occupational Specialty
Asbestos had been a popular building material for decades before its harmful health effects were discovered. Asbestos was widely used in the United States Military. Many veterans from all branches were exposed asbestos, and many developed mesothelioma and other illnesses after inhaling the deadly mineral. The Boston asbestos lawyers at the Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers have extensive experience helping Army veterans pursue VA benefits and compensation for mesothelioma as well as other asbestos-related illnesses.
In WWII during WWII, the Navy employed asbestos extensively in ships and submarines. Asbestos was likely to be present in the sleeping quarters, compartments, and other areas on board as well as in nearby shipyards, construction sites, and shipyards.
Air Force veterans may also have been exposed to asbestos during their time in the service. Asbestos is often used in aircraft including fuel systems and rotors. Asbestos was also used to make thermal insulation, fireproofing and gaskets.
Asbestos was regularly found in the work of Navy pipefitters and welding crews. Asbestos-containing lagging was often used on pipes that ran through the entire length of the ship. Welders in the Navy were often required to remove this lagging prior to making repairs. Navy pipefitters frequently worked with asbestos in the form of loose asbestos, asbestos-containing gaskets, seals, and insulation. William Smith, a Navy pipefitter, developed mesothelioma from asbestos exposure following lung cancer.
Steelworkers and metal fabricators in the Navy were frequently exposed to asbestos when working in a shipyard or construction sites. Asbestos is an insulation material, a fireproofing substance and as a welding material. Inhaling asbestos fibers poses an extremely dangerous health risk for any welding job particularly when it's wet.
Army, Marine Corps, Navy and Air Force veterans who worked on motor vehicles or ships were exposed to asbestos as part of their duties. VA benefits such as disability compensation can allow these veterans to focus on their mesothelioma treatment instead of worrying about how to pay for the cost of living. They may also be eligible to receive mesothelioma damages from negligent asbestos producers. These companies knew about the dangers of asbestos and should be responsible for the medical expenses of their victims. Asbestos lawsuits have helped many asbestos victims receive substantial compensation.
Symptoms
Many veterans who have been exposed to asbestos have suffered from a range of serious ailments. Exposure to asbestos increases the risk of mesothelioma and lung cancer. These illnesses can take 20 to 50 years to develop. Many veterans who served in Army bases, Navy Shipyards, and Air Force Bases can receive compensation for exposure to asbestos and health issues.
Until the 1980s the military relied heavily on asbestos-based products. Navy shipyards, Coast Guard yards and Army bases all utilized asbestos for the construction and repair of naval ships. Navy sailors were particularly at risk of exposure. Asbestos is commonly found in ship engines boiler rooms, decks and flooring.
Additionally, military personnel working in a number of other occupations were also exposed to asbestos, including plumbers, pipefitters and insulators and auto mechanics. Asbestos is often used as a building material in walls or roofs, as well as doors and windows. The Navy even employed asbestos to make fireproofing.
These dangerous materials could pose a health risk for servicemen and women even when they were not on the ship or base. If a person breathed asbestos fibers, they remained inside the lungs for prolonged periods of time and resulted in scarring on the cells of the lungs. Over time the scarring on the lungs became so severe that the condition asbestosis was caused.
Asbestosis isn't a cancer, but it could cause other health problems, such as mesothelioma that takes between 20 and 50 years to develop after exposure. Patients with Pleural plaques, which are a non-cancerous form of asbestosis can be six to nine times more likely to develop mesothelioma.
Secondhand exposure to asbestos may also cause mesothelioma. This is especially the case if a family member worked as a worker or in the military and handled asbestos-based products. This is because asbestos can be carried in the air. Asbestos-related victims brought harmful fibers into their homes on their clothes, exposing family members. Secondhand mesothelioma cases usually involve children, spouses and siblings of those exposed to asbestos while at work. In these cases, a mesothelioma patient's surviving spouse or child can be awarded compensation for the asbestos-related illness of their loved one.
Treatment
Patients with mesothelioma can avail a variety of treatments that can help them combat symptoms, slow down the progression of the disease and avoid complications. These include radiotherapy, surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Doctors typically recommend a combination treatment based on the severity and type of asbestos-related disease.
Asbestos was used extensively in military bases as well as aircrafts, ships and vehicles. It was added in drywall, cement mixes roofing, spackling, and spackling to fireproof components and insulate them. These materials were smashed in the course of maintenance and repair, 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 aircraft and vehicles. Asbestos was incorporated in ship insulation, boiler rooms and electrical wiring as well as engine parts and manufactured components like brake pads and clutches. Marines who worked on vehicles-related equipment were at a higher risk of exposure to asbestos because they frequently interacted with asbestos-containing components.
Since asbestos is a pliable and durable material, it was employed to insulate boilers, pipes, valves cables and floor tiles as well as ceilings. The properties of insulation as well as its low cost and easy to manufacture, made asbestos an ideal material for fireproofing. Asbestos also resists heat, which helped make it an extremely popular choice for engine parts like turbines and engines.
Asbestos is linked to various diseases, including mesothelioma. Lung cancer and mesothelioma are two kinds of disease caused by asbestos fibers. These cancers affect the lungs and chest wall, causing malignant tumors to grow.
People who are diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease are typically entitled to financial compensation from the asbestos producers responsible for mesothelioma. This money can be used to cover medical expenses and other support services. To qualify for this type of assistance, the victims must go through a thorough procedure that includes obtaining medical records and other critical documents. Many victims of mesothelioma have experienced the hardships of living with this disease and it is crucial to seek legal counsel to protect their rights.
VA Benefits
Veterans suffering from asbestos-related diseases are entitled to compensation and disability benefits. It can be difficult for veterans to prove that their condition is related to their military service. Many symptoms are confused with other conditions, like smoking-related COPD. Veterans should make a VA claim immediately. A mesothelioma lawyer who is experienced can help veterans gather the evidence required to file a successful claim.
Every veteran's exposure is different, however there were certain branches of the military that were at greater chance of being exposed to the harmful mineral. Navy veterans were frequently at risk due to the duration of their work aboard ships and shipyards. The vessels were contaminated with asbestos in numerous places such as boiler and engine rooms, living quarters, and aircraft machinery. Air Force veterans also faced a high level of risk when they were in contact with vehicles and planes which contained asbestos.
Asbestos is an element that occurs naturally, but it must be mined to be employed by the military. If asbestos is not properly handled, it could break down and then become airborne. These microscopic fibres can enter the lungs, abdomen, and cause irritation to the membranes that line the chest and stomach. These fibers can cause the tissues of the chest and stomach to swell over time. These tumors, referred to as mesothelioma are the most deadly type of asbestos-related cancer.
Other types of asbestos-related illnesses that could develop include respiratory issues like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). These symptoms can be mistaken for smoking-induced COPD. However it is essential that Veterans visit a doctor to obtain a proper diagnosis.
The Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, located in Miami, is a center for treatment for many Veterans who suffer from asbestos-related diseases. The facility is just class action lawsuit asbestos exposure located just a few minutes away from the Miami VA Medical Center. For Veterans who do not live in the area, the VA could provide financial aid for housing and travel expenses. Many mesothelioma specialists provide private practice options for patients who do not want to be seen in an VA facility.