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Lane Buck

Blog entry by Lane Buck

Military Asbestos Exposure

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

These veterans may have developed mesothelioma or another health issues. These veterans include Army personnel, Air Force personnel and Marine Corps personnel.

Navy

The most at-risk group were Navy veterans due to the widespread use of asbestos in ships and shipyards. Asbestos was also discovered in those involved in the construction, repair or demolishment of naval vessels as well as on vessels.

Asbestos was used in the construction of Navy ships due to the fact that it could be used to insulate against heat, water and fire. It was utilized throughout the engine rooms, hulls boiler rooms, as well as other mechanical areas on Navy ships. It also was used in plumbing fixtures as well as adhesives, industrial compounds, and cabin insulation.

Many Navy veterans have been diagnosed with mesothelioma as a result of these activities after working on or near ships. This includes those who were laggers on Navy vessels (insulators) as well as the machinists' mates who repaired machinery and engine components that contain asbestos packing, as well being damage control workers who are responsible for firefighting and rescue in the event of an hostile attack.

Asbest can pose a danger for those who serve in the Coast Guard, as many of the ships used by the military contain asbestos. This was due to the fact that asbestos was a cost-effective and fireproof material that insulated against the heat and cold. It was used on a variety of the Navy's vessels as well as various military's vehicles, aircrafts and barracks.

Veterans diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma can apply for compensation through the VA's disability compensation system. To prove that the condition is due to military service, a written account of exposure to asbestos must be submitted. This includes when and where the individual was exposed to asbestos, as well as the specific roles they served in. It should also prove that at least half of the veteran's exposure to asbestos occurred during military service.

Air Force

Asbestos, a rock of natural origin, has distinctive properties that make it useful in military construction projects. It is resistant to fire and durable and is insulated from electric and heat sources, as well as chemical corrosion, and is inexpensive to acquire and use. It was utilized in the military from 1940 until the late 1990s. This resulted in high rates of asbestos exposure among veterans in every branch. Air Force veterans who served in this period are at a greater chance of developing asbestos-related ailments, such as mesothelioma.

As with other branches of the military Like other branches of the military, the Air Force built its bases with asbestos-containing materials. The toxic material was commonly used in pipes, boilers, and other insulation products across bases. This exposed airmen to asbestos when they lived in bases, or visited them, such as hospitals, mess halls, and shop areas. Asbestos is a brittle and scaly substance, so the dust it produces could be transported from one place to another by those who were visiting and departing from bases. Mechanics, electricians, custodians and other workers may carry asbestos fibers from one area of the building to another on their clothes and in their hair.

Airmen who worked on aircrafts like welders and mechanics, were also at a higher chance of exposure to asbestos. Inhaling asbestos fibers can cause damage to the lung's tissues, which can cause mesothelioma. Mesothelioma affects the lung's lining as well as the chest cavity, which could cause serious complications and symptoms.

Asbestos victims should speak to an experienced mesothelioma attorney to learn about their legal options. A lawyer can help veterans or their families bring a lawsuit against manufacturers who produced and sold the toxic products that led to their exposure to mesothelioma. These lawsuits seek redress for companies that put profits before safety.
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Army

Army veterans who served between World War II and the 1970s might have been exposed to asbestos during their military service. asbestos settlement trust fund are at risk of developing aggressive forms of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses late in life.

Soldiers might have been exposed asbestos in barracks and bases which contained asbestos. Asbestos, a fire-resistant and durable building material, was a popular choice at the time. It was also very affordable.

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

Asbestos-related illnesses take decades to develop, which is why many veterans were diagnosed after their active military service. In times of war, troops in combat zones were exposed to additional asbestos exposure risks. These locations often had buildings built with asbestos that were destroyed or bombed, releasing the toxic 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 who are diagnosed with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases caused by their military service have the right to make an VA disability claim. Compensation varies depending on the severity of the veteran's health condition and the amount they were exposed to asbestos while being a military. However the Department of Veterans Affairs does not pay mesothelioma patients if it was not directly connected to their military service. Instead, the agency offers monthly compensation to veterans who are eligible based on set disability standards. The compensation is used to cover medical expenses, living costs and other needs that are related to the illness.

Marines

Marines could have been exposed to asbestos through bases, military ships vehicles, and aircraft. The ones who worked as Marine mechanics on vehicles or on transport vehicles like the M60 Patton tank ran the most risk of exposure. They were exposed to asbestos gaskets, brake pads, and seals on vehicles. Asbestos fibers were released into air as these materials degraded. Inhaling the fibers could cause asbestos-related illnesses, such as mesothelioma.

Navy veterans who served prior to the 1980s also faced the risk of exposure. Asbestos was used in Navy ship components like boilers, incinerators and engines to shield them from fire and extreme heat. Asbestos fibers could circulate through the compartments of the ship because the parts had poor ventilation. If the insulation degraded or was worn out it would release fibers into the air. Veterans of the Air Force may also be exposed. Asbestos was used to insulate military aircraft and it was also found in engine parts and rotors as well as hydraulic systems, fuel systems, system, and fuel systems.

In 1994, the Marine Corps implemented an OSHA-compatible asbestos safety program for asbestos. However, prior to that, there were hundreds of Marine base facilities, barracks and mechanical shops where haphazard asbestos removal was performed. It was typically done by untrained groups comprised of enlisted soldiers.

Asbestos exposure among Marines can cause a variety of serious health conditions, including mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. Veterans with these illnesses are advised to seek specialist treatment at a VA Hospital or one of the top mesothelioma treatment centers. It is crucial to understand that mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases have lengthy time periods of latency. This means that symptoms do not typically show up until decades after the initial exposure.

Coast Guard

The Coast Guard used asbestos to insulate vessels and to fireproof them from fire. The veterans of the Coast Guard who worked at the Curtis Bay Coast Guard Yard are at greater risk of being exposed 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 was also found in the piping, insulation and other building materials found on many Coast Guard ships. These veterans are at high risk for developing mesothelioma, asbestosis and other respiratory ailments because of their lengthy exposure to asbestos-containing, toxic materials.

Like the Navy and Air Force, Coast Guard veterans could have experienced routine exposure to asbestos on vessels and in shipyards. They conducted missions of search and rescue, protected the environment and protected U.S. coastlines and waterways. Because of the branch's responsibilities it's not a surprise that asbestos was present in Coast Guard ships and at military bases.

Coast Guard veterans are eligible to receive VA benefits to pay for medical treatments if they develop an asbestos-related condition. It is important to diagnose mesothelioma early due to its long latency period.

Army veterans are at risk of mesothelioma because of their frequent exposure to military vehicles, aircrafts and barracks. Asbestos was a key element in military equipment since it was cheap and provided the properties of insulation and fire resistance. In the 1980s, asbestos was banned for new uses. However asbestos-containing pipe insulation cement sheets floor tiles, floor tiles and roof tiles remained in hundreds of military areas. This "legacy asbestos" preserved the danger for soldiers.

Veterans may be entitled to legal aid to obtain compensation from asbestos producers, regardless of the branch of service they were in. Although nothing can erase a veteran's mesothelioma, financial assistance can provide some semblance of stability for families facing crisis.