Key Takeaways: Veterans account for approximately 30% of all malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) diagnoses. Asbestos was used in all branches of the military for about 50 years, but was especially widespread in the Navy.
Veterans Exposed to Asbestos
Asbestos was frequently used in the armed forces from ~1930s-1980s, before its widespread use was federally curbed. And, because asbestos exposure is a significant risk factor for developing malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM), veterans compose around 30% of all mesothelioma diagnoses. The military branch with the most exposure is the Navy, as a majority of the ships used asbestos as insulation and construction material. Americans enlisted in the Navy often live on the ships for extended periods of time, and we know that asbestos exposure is a strong risk factor for developing mesothelioma. Some of the parts on Navy ships that have been known to contain or were developed with asbestos are the ships’ gaskets, pumps, seals, valves, and deck flooring. Naval veterans that directly worked with this gear, like below-deck mechanics, submarine operators, and those that were frequently in boiler rooms/near the engines were at higher risk for a.) encountering asbestos in the air, and b.) developing MPM later in life. Besides Navy ship exposure, military barracks, mess halls, military vehicles, training halls, military aircrafts, and ammunition rooms were all known to contain or be constructed with asbestos. All veterans enlisted before the 1980s were likely exposed to asbestos and have a higher risk than other civilian occupations for developing MPM. This is especially pertinent now because of the latency of MPM onset: mesothelioma doesn’t develop until decades (~10-50 years) after initial asbestos exposure. So, for veterans that served prior to the mid 1980s, this latency period is reaching its peak about now.
Second-hand Asbestos Exposure
For members of veterans’ families, second-hand asbestos exposure is a legitimate risk. Whether on leave, a visitation, or returning from deployment, active military members could have carried asbestos fibers into their homes. The asbestos fibers remained on clothes, skin, and hair. If a family member was in direct contact with the veteran, they risked exposure. While this is a less common form of asbestos exposure, it has remained significant enough to be included with veteran exposure. Second-hand exposure is also applicable beyond the families and friends of veterans: anyone in close contact with someone that had consistent asbestos exposure is at risk.
Post-Enlistment Risks
After leaving their contracted terms, veterans were more likely to pursue careers similar to the jobs they held in the service. This includes (but is not limited to) construction work, plumbing, pipefitting, industrial work, and firefighting.
Justice For Veterans
Veterans that develop mesothelioma have several options. They can apply to a VA (Veteran Affairs) claim if they’re able to prove the location and duration of service, as well as possible sites of asbestos exposure. They can also apply to trust funds or hire an asbestos lawyer. It’s imperative to achieve financial justice for those who have been exposed to asbestos.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, please call The Halpern Law Firm at (800) 505-6000. We are here to help you navigate the legal process of filing a claim to receive compensation for your cancer diagnosis. We help mesothelioma victims and their families in Pennsylvania.
Sources:
- Military exposures and lung cancer in United States Veterans—ScienceDirect. (n.d.). Retrieved January 12, 2024, from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0093775422000501
- Spirtas, R., Heineman, E. F., Bernstein, L., Beebe, G. W., Keehn, R. J., Stark, A., Harlow, B. L., & Benichou, J. (1994). Malignant mesothelioma: Attributable risk of asbestos exposure. Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 51(12), 804–811
Written By Carina Filemyr
