Army and Asbestos Exposure
Over the past decade, the number of mesothelioma cases among current and former members of the United States Army has skyrocketed. Even though the majority of products made with asbestos were banned by the Consumer Product Safety Commission in the late 1970s, many experts believe it can take as long as 40 years for asbestos-related illnesses to develop. That is why the full toll of asbestos exposure among Army veterans is only now being seen.
Call us at (800) 278-8675 to speak with a mesothelioma paralegal
How Army Personnel Were Exposed
Any building constructed prior to 1980 is loaded with materials made of asbestos, which was valued for its insulating properties. The mineral was also very fire-retardant and resistant to thermal transfer, qualities that are important in military installations. As a result of its widespread use, soldiers were regularly exposed to common items and materials containing asbestos, including:
- Wall insulation
- Foundation cement
- Machinery
- Pipe system insulation
- Roofing and flooring materials
- Caulks
- Structural fireproofing
- Acoustical insulation
- Household products
Any solider working a janitorial detail or in construction or demolition may have been exposed to asbestos. Army vehicles were additional sources of exposure because the brake pads, clutch plates, gaskets, and insulation all contained large amounts of asbestos fibers. Moreover, Army veterans who served through the end of the Vietnam War used or traveled in equipment that contained asbestos.
While the use of asbestos was largely prohibited by the mid 1980s, Army vehicles and housing weren’t automatically replaced. That means soldiers working in motor pools were put at risk anytime they changed brakes or serviced the older vehicles. Similarly, many of the vehicles used during the Vietnam War were brought back to the United States and used on military bases here.
The durability that made asbestos such a sought-after insulation and building material is what makes it such a deadly health risk. A naturally occurring mineral, asbestos can be separated into thin, durable thread-like fibers. When protected and left undisturbed, it is not harmful. But over time, asbestos will deteriorate or can become damaged when handled. When that happens, it breaks down into a dangerous dust made up of microscopic pieces of asbestos fiber.
Because of the asbestos fibers’ small size and shape, they can stay suspended in the air for long periods of time. If inhaled, they may penetrate the lining of the lung and if ingested, they can lodge in the abdomen. Asbestos fibers never completely leave the body and, over many years, can result in a number of debilitating diseases such as mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis, a scarring of the lungs which causes shortness of breath.
Ongoing Asbestos Exposure Risk for Army Soldiers
Soldiers serving in Iraq may also face the daunting risk of asbestos exposure. Any building destroyed during the war that contained materials made with asbestos would be a source of fiber dust—and the powerful desert winds can carry this dust across many miles. Similarly, asbestos insulation ignited in the burn pits located at the Army bases in Iraq have been a point of concern for troops, who are exposed to the resulting smoke.
Are You a U.S. Army Veteran Who Was Exposed to Asbestos During Service?
Army veterans who were injured by asbestos during their service have the right to sue the manufacturers that produced and sold the asbestos used in military applications. These types of claims are unique because records on the use of asbestos in the military still exist--and they are widely used in investigating mesothelioma cases.
Because Army records may be readily available to support your asbestos claim, you might have an easier time obtaining compensation than someone who is filing a claim against a private employer.
If you or your loved one is suffering from an asbestos-related illness after serving in the Army, an experienced mesothelioma attorney can advise you on the best way to move forward on your mesothelioma lawsuit.