15 Inspiring Facts About Asbestos Exposure That You'd Never Been Educated About
Military Asbestos Exposure Asbestos was used in Navy ships in pipe insulation, fireproofing, floor tiles and other construction materials. It was also a component in boilers and engines on ships and in aircraft and vehicle brakes and clutches. Some veterans may have developed mesothelioma or other health problems. They include Army, Air Force and Marine Corps personnel. Navy Veterans of the Navy faced the greatest risk of asbestos exposure because of the material's extensive use in ship and shipyard structures. The asbestos-infected included those who worked on the construction, repair or demolition of naval vessels and those who were employed in day-today service on vessels. Asbestos was utilized in the construction of Navy ships because it could be used to insulate against water, heat and fire. It was used 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 types of work after being near or on 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 provide rescue and firefighting in the event of an hostile attack. Furthermore, those who served in the Coast Guard face exposure risks since the ships of the military often included asbestos. The primary reason was that asbestos was a cheap and fireproof material that insulated against heat and cold. It was utilized in a variety of Navy ships as well as a variety military aircrafts, vehicles and barracks. Asbestos veterans who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related diseases may apply for compensation from the VA through their disability compensation system. However, a written asbestos exposure report is required to demonstrate how the illness was linked to military service. This includes when and where the veteran was exposed asbestos and what specific roles they were involved in. It is also necessary to prove that at least 50 percent of the veteran's asbestos exposure occurred during their military service. Air Force Asbestos is a natural mineral with unique properties that make it valuable for military construction projects. It is fire-resistant electrical, heat, and chemical corrosion resistant, and is very affordable to purchase and use. It was utilized in the military from 1940 until the late 1990s. This led to a high rate of exposure to asbestos among veterans of all branches. Air Force veterans who served during this time are especially at risk for developing an asbestos-related condition like mesothelioma. The Air Force, like other branches of the military, constructed its bases using asbestos-containing materials. The toxic substance was frequently used in pipes, boilers, and other insulation products throughout bases. The airmen were exposed to asbestos when they resided in bases, or visited them, such as hospitals, mess halls, and areas for shops. Asbestos is a very smooth and soft material and the dust it generates is easily transported from one place to the next. Personnel like mechanics, electricians and custodians are able to carry asbestos fibers in their clothing and hair from one place to another. Mechanical workers, welders and other airmen who work on aircraft are also at high risk of exposure to asbestos. Inhaling the fibers could cause damage to the lungs' tissues, which can cause mesothelioma. Mesothelioma affects the lung's lining as well as the chest cavity, which can lead to serious complications and symptoms. Asbestos sufferers should consult an experienced mesothelioma lawyer to find out more about their legal options. A lawyer can assist a veteran or their family in filing a lawsuit against manufacturers who sold harmful products that exposed them to mesothelioma. These lawsuits seek redress for companies that place profits over safety. Army Army veterans who served between World War II and the 1970s may have been exposed to asbestos during their military service. These men and women are at risk of developing aggressive mesothelioma and other asbestos-related ailments later in life. Soldiers might have been exposed to asbestos in barracks, bases and ships that contained asbestos. Asbestos was a well-known building material in the era of asbestos because it was fire resistant and long-lasting. It was also inexpensive. The Army employed asbestos in a variety of products, such as pipe insulation, fireproofing sprays and flooring materials. These products were used in the repair and construction of a variety of kinds of vehicles, including ships, tanks and automobiles. Asbestos-related illnesses take decades to develop, and many veterans were diagnosed long after their active military service. In times of war, troops who were deployed to combat zones faced additional asbestos exposure risk. These locations often had buildings built with asbestos that were bombed or destroyed in order to release the harmful fibers into the air. This type of exposure took place at bases in the United States as well as ports and other overseas locations. Veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma or other asbestos-related illnesses resulting from their military service have the right to submit a VA disability claim. Compensation is contingent upon the severity of a veteran's condition and how much they were exposed to asbestos while an active member of the military. However, the Department of Veterans Affairs does not pay mesothelioma patients if it was not directly related to their military service. The agency instead offers monthly compensation for veterans who meet the requirements for disability. The money can be used to pay medical bills, living expenses, and other expenses related to the illness. Marines Marines could have been exposed to asbestos through military vessels, ships bases, aircraft and even bases. Those who worked as Marine vehicle mechanics and on transport vehicles like the M60 Patton tank ran the highest risk of exposure. These veterans were exposed asbestos gaskets, brake pads and seals on vehicles. Asbestos fibers were released into air when these materials deteriorated. Inhaling the fibers could cause mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. Navy veterans who served prior to the 1980s are also at risk. Asbestos was used in Navy ship parts such as incinerators, boilers and engines to protect them from fire and extreme heat. Asbestos fibres were able to circulate throughout the ship's compartments due to the lack of ventilation. If the insulation degraded or wore away, it would release fibers into the air. Air force veterans could be at risk of being exposed. Asbestos was a component of military aircraft that was found in rotors, engine parts, fuel systems and hydraulic systems. In 1994, Marine Corps introduced an asbestos safety program that was OSHA compliant. Prior to Springdale asbestos attorney , asbestos was removed in hundreds of Marine barracks and base facilities as well as mechanical shops. This was usually done by untrained groups comprised of enlisted soldiers. Marines exposed to asbestos could develop serious health conditions like mesothelioma or lung cancer. Veterans diagnosed with these illnesses should seek specialized treatment at an VA hospital or one of the top mesothelioma clinics. It is important to know that mesothelioma, as well as other asbestos-related diseases have long latency time. This means that symptoms don't typically show up until decades after initial exposure. Coast Guard The Coast Guard used asbestos to insulate vessels and to fireproof them. Coast Guard veterans who served at the Curtis Bay Coast Guard Yard were at particular risk of 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 present in the insulation, pipes and other building materials found on many Coast Guard ships. Veterans are at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma asbestosis and other respiratory illnesses because of their lengthy exposure to asbestos-containing, toxic materials. Similar to the Navy and Air Force, Coast Guard veterans might have been exposed to regular exposure to asbestos in ships and in shipyards. They conducted search and rescue missions as well as protected the environment and safeguarded U.S. coastlines and waterways. Due to the duties of the branch, it is not surprising that asbestos was present in Coast Guard ships and at military bases. Coast Guard veterans are eligible for VA benefits to help pay for medical treatments if they develop an asbestos-related illness. Due to the lengthy mesothelioma latency time it is essential that patients receive a diagnosis as soon as possible. Veterans of the army are at risk of developing mesothelioma because of their frequent exposure to military vehicles, aircrafts and barracks. Asbestos was a key component of military equipment due to the fact that it was affordable and offered the properties of insulation and fire resistance. As asbestos' new uses were prohibited in the 1980s, hundreds of military zones remained with asbestos pipes insulation roof tiles, cement sheets and floor tiles. This “legacy asbestos” kept asbestos in danger for soldiers. Whatever branch of the military veterans served in, they may be eligible for legal assistance to seek compensation from asbestos manufacturers. While financial aid isn't a cure for mesothelioma in veterans, it can offer some peace to families struggling.