Marines and Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos Exposure in the Marines
Asbestos was considered one of the most versatile building materials of the 20th century. Its fibers were extremely strong, durable and heat- and flame-resistant. As a result, many industries widely incorporated asbestos into their commercial products.
When contained, asbestos is safe. However, when the fibers begin to deteriorate with age or are damaged through handling, they release microscopic particles that can be deadly if inhaled--and the longer the exposure, the greater the risk. Every military branch used materials containing asbestos, but none employed this substance more than the Navy. Up until the early 1970s, every naval vessel was built with numerous products containing the dangerous compound. That means that not only were Navy sailors exposed to asbestos, but Marines as well.
How U.S. Marines Were Exposed
Although the Marine Corps is not a branch of the U.S. Navy, it does serve as a branch within the Department of the Navy which oversees both the Navy and Marine Corps. As such, the Navy and the Marine Corps are closely associated. Marines routinely embark on Navy vessels and the two branches have historically participated closely in joint operations.
Marines utilized Navy aircraft carriers as their base when flying fighter-bombers on ship to shore missions. They would also live on the ships for the duration of the mission. Consequently, generations of Marines have been exposed to asbestos during their time aboard Navy vessels.
The primary asbestos-contaminated materials aboard naval ships include:
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- Building exterior surfaces
- Automotive materials: brake shoes and pads, clutch discs and gaskets
- Insulation wall and ceiling
- Nine-inch floor tile and adhesives
- Furnace, boilers, heaters, piping and insulation
- Interior surfaces walls and ceilings
- Electrical equipment
- Built-in equipment
- Appliances
To make them stronger and more rugged, asbestos fibers were also woven into the ropes that were handled on a daily basis by those aboard the ships.
Even Marines who never boarded a Navy ship are at risk of asbestos exposure. This is because they were potentially exposed at the barracks from the asbestos used in the cement pipes, ceiling tiles and insulation.
Asbestos exposure happens when the asbestos-containing materials become worn down over time or when they are disrupted, such as when flooring is removed. The fibers break down into small particles that can be ingested or inhaled. These fibers stay in the body for years; in fact, it can take up to 30 or even 40 years for asbestos-related illnesses to fully manifest in the individual who was exposed.
Prolonged exposure to asbestos can lead to lung cancer, asbestosis and mesothelioma, an incurable cancer that affects the lining of the lungs or the heart. The average life expectancy for patients with mesothelioma is just two years after diagnosis.
Get Legal Compensation for Your Asbestos-Related Injuries
Marine veterans who were exposed to asbestos during their service have the right to sue the companies that produced and sold the asbestos used on naval ships and in other military applications. Since military records may be available to validate your mesothelioma claim, you may have an easier time obtaining compensation than someone who is filing a claim against a private employer.
A qualified mesothelioma attorney can help you hold the asbestos manufacturers accountable for their negligent practices. The quicker you start your mesothelioma lawsuit, the greater your chance of getting the justice you and your family deserve.