10 Things That Everyone Is Misinformed About The Word "Asbestos Exposure."

Military Asbestos Exposure

Asbestos is used in the construction of Navy ships for pipe insulation, fireproofing and floor tiles. It was also used in ship engines, boilers as well as in aircraft and vehicle brakes and clutches.

Some veterans may have developed mesothelioma or other health problems. This includes Army personnel, Air Force personnel and Marine Corps personnel.

Navy

The most at-risk group was Navy veterans because of the widespread use of asbestos in ship and shipyards. The asbestos-infected included those who worked on the construction, repair or demolition of naval ships and those who worked on day-to-day services aboard vessels.

Asbestos was a popular choice for Navy ship construction as it was able to insulate against heat, fire and water. It was utilized throughout the engine rooms, hulls, boiler rooms and other mechanical areas on Navy ships. It also was used in plumbing fixtures, adhesives, industrial compounds and cabin insulation.

Many Navy veterans have developed mesothelioma due to these uses after working close to or near ships. This includes those who were laggers on Navy vessels (insulators), mechanics' mates who fixed engines and equipment that contained asbestos packing, as well as damage control workers, who provide rescue and firefighting in the event of a hostile attack.

Asbest is also a risk for those who work in the Coast Guard, as many of the ships used by the military contain asbestos. The main reason was the fact that asbestos was a low-cost and fireproof material that insulated against cold and heat. It was utilized on a number of the Navy's ships as well as various military's vehicles, aircrafts and barracks.

Asbestos veterans who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related diseases may seek compensation from the VA through their disability compensation system. However, a written asbestos exposure summary is necessary to demonstrate how the illness was related to military service. This includes where and when the veteran was exposed to asbestos and what specific roles they served in. It is also necessary to prove that at least half of the veteran's exposure to asbestos occurred during their military service.

Air Force

Asbestos, a mineral that is of natural origin, has unique 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 employed in the military from 1940 until the late 1990s. As a result, veterans from all branches of the military were exposed asbestos at high levels. Air Force veterans who served during this time are at a higher risk of developing asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma.

The Air Force, like other branches of the military, built bases using asbestos-containing material. The toxic material was commonly used in boilers, pipes, and other insulation materials throughout bases. The airmen were exposed to asbestos when they lived in or visited bases including hospitals, mess halls, and areas for shops. Asbestos is a very delicate and scaly substance which means that the dust it creates can easily be smuggled from one place to the next. Personnel such as mechanics, electricians, and custodians can easily carry asbestos fibers on their clothing and hair from one area to another.

Mechanical workers, welders and other airmen who work on aircraft are also at high risk of asbestos exposure. Inhaling the fibers could cause damage to the tissues of the lungs which could lead to mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that affects the lining of the chest cavity and the lungs. It can be a cause of serious symptoms.

To know more about their legal rights, asbestos victims should consult an experienced mesothelioma lawyer. An attorney can help the family of a veteran file a lawsuit against the manufacturers who manufactured and sold the harmful products that led to their exposure to mesothelioma. The lawsuits seek compensation from companies that put profits over safety.

Army

Asbest was probably employed by veterans of the Army who served from World War II to the 1970s. Both women and men are at risk for developing mesothelioma that is aggressive or other asbestos-related illnesses later in life.

Soldiers could have been exposed to asbestos in bases, barracks and ships that contained the material. Asbestos was a very popular building material at the time because it was fire-resistant and long-lasting. It was also extremely affordable.

The Army employed asbestos to create various products that included pipe insulation, fireproofing spray-on and flooring materials.  Yakima asbestos lawsuits  were used to construct and repair various types of equipment and vehicles, including tanks, ships and automobiles.

Asbestos-related diseases can take decades to develop. Many veterans were diagnosed years after their active service. During wartime, troops deployed in combat zones faced additional asbestos exposure risks. These locations often had buildings made of asbestos, which were bombed or destroyed, releasing the toxic fibers into the air. This type of exposure also happened at bases in the United States, as well as at ports and other locations overseas.

Veterans who are diagnosed with mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases caused by their military service, are entitled to make an VA disability claim. The amount of compensation is determined by the severity of the veteran's condition and the amount of asbestos exposure he or she was exposed to while a member of the military. However the Department of Veterans Affairs does not provide compensation to veterans suffering from mesothelioma if it was not directly related to their military service. The agency instead provides monthly payments to veterans who meet the disability standards. The compensation can be used for medical expenses, living expenses and other requirements related to the disease.

Marines

Marines may have been exposed to asbestos via bases, military ships vehicles, aircraft and bases. Marine vehicle mechanics, as well as those who worked on transport vehicles such as the M60 Patton Tank, were most at danger of being exposed to asbestos. They were frequently exposed to asbestos-containing gaskets, seals and brake pads on vehicles. When these materials became degraded or became damaged, they released asbestos fibers into the air. The fibers can be inhaled by people living in the area and lead to the development of mesothelioma, an asbestos-related disease.

Navy veterans who served prior to the 1980s were also at risk of exposure. Asbestos was used in Navy ship components, such as boilers, incinerators and engines to protect them from fire and extreme heat. Asbestos fibers could circulate through the compartments of the ship because these parts had poor ventilation. If the insulation became degraded or wore out, it would release fibers into the air. Veterans of the Air Force could also be exposed. Asbestos insulated military aircraft and was found in rotors, engine parts fuel systems, and 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 base facilities and barracks and mechanical shops. It was typically done by untrained crews made up of enlisted men.

Marines exposed to asbestos can develop serious health conditions such as mesothelioma and cancer. Veterans with these illnesses are advised to seek specialized treatment at a VA Hospital or one of the top mesothelioma treatment facilities. It is important to know that mesothelioma and the other asbestos-related illnesses have long period of latency. This means that symptoms typically don't manifest until decades after the initial exposure.

Coast Guard

The Coast Guard used asbestos to insulate vessels and fireproof them from fire. The veterans of the Coast Guard who worked at the Curtis Bay Coast Guard Yard are at a greater risk of exposure 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 has also been found in the piping and insulation of many Coast Guard vessels. Veterans are at a higher risk for developing mesothelioma, asbestosis and other respiratory ailments because of their lengthy exposure to toxic asbestos-containing materials.

Similar to the Navy and Air Force, Coast Guard veterans could have experienced routine exposure to asbestos in ships and in shipyards. They performed search and rescue missions and also protected the environment. They also defended U.S. coasts and waterways. Because of the branch's responsibilities, it is not surprising that asbestos was present on Coast Guard ships and at military bases.

Coast Guard veterans are eligible to receive VA benefits to help to pay for medical treatment should they develop an asbestos-related illness. Because of the long mesothelioma's latency, it is important that victims are diagnosed as soon as possible.

Army veterans are at high risk of developing mesothelioma as a result of their frequent exposures to aircrafts, military vehicles and barracks. Asbestos was used in military equipment due to its low cost, fire resistance and insulation properties. In the 1980s, asbestos was banned for use in new ways. However asbestos-containing pipe insulation, cement sheets, floor tiles and roof tiles remained in a multitude of military areas. This "legacy" asbestos hid the danger to soldiers.

Whatever branch of the military veterans served in, they could be eligible for legal assistance to obtain compensation from asbestos producers. While financial aid isn't a cure for mesothelioma among veterans, it can offer some peace to families struggling.