The U.S. armed forces applied asbestos-containing products through most of the 20th century. With the Marines, Army, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard utilizing contaminated products, many service members were exposed to asbestos while defending our nation. The increasing number of toxic exposure cases among these brave men and women underlines today the health risks they have faced apart from the challenges of service. As veterans embrace civilian life after fulfilling duty, they now risk developing incapacitating asbestos diseases deriving from their military years.
Asbestos lurking in military facilities all over the state
The fibrous mineral was formerly praised for its fireproof and insulating properties, and nobody thought about asbestos being a threat when its tiny fibers were released into the air and inhaled. It is why asbestos exposure is still an issue for all veterans who might have the toxic fibers in their lungs, including those among the large veteran community in Texas and Arizona, as well as Prescott’s veteran population. Although the military used asbestos primarily for insulation in aircraft, military vehicles, barracks, ships, shipyards, and various tools, the Navy exploited it the most massively. Therefore, veterans serving on naval vessels during the last century were at an outstandingly high risk of asbestos exposure. Arizona is home to seven different military bases and Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, the area with a significant number of military and retired personnel residents. Prescott is home to the Arizona National Guard Recruiting, forces with roots dating back to 1636, training Guard Soldiers to defend community and country. Arizona’s airfields were vital to the Allied war effort during World War II. They also served as training areas for American and European soldiers, including the largest, Luke Field, called “Home of the Fighter Pilot.”
Asbestos exposure is a significant factor in veterans’ deteriorating health conditions
While fulfilling their military duty, veterans often lived and worked near asbestos-containing materials, unaware of the danger they represented. They were constantly at a high risk of asbestos exposure due to the toxic mineral’s abundant presence on military property, like aircraft, engine rooms, sleeping barracks, and mess halls.
The structure and size of asbestos fibers enable them to float in the air for hours. Due to being microscopic, the threads are easily inhaled or ingested, and once inside the body, they cause permanent damage to major organs and lead to devastating illnesses.
One of the most dangerous particularity of asbestos-related diseases is the long latency period between exposure and the first symptoms. Even if veterans may not have experienced health problems during their service, they’ll discover the consequences of asbestos exposure only decades later when they are diagnosed with conditions related to it, like asbestosis, lung cancer, mesothelioma, or other respiratory illnesses.
Veterans’ endless fight for health after asbestos exposure
Even though many years have passed since the armed services used asbestos, veterans who came in contact with asbestos during their military years now have to struggle for their health. Many must handle the harsh reality that their service to the country came with an enormous personal sacrifice and that besides affecting them physically and psychologically, their asbestos illnesses shorten their life expectancy and steal precious time from their families.
With Arizona ranking 7th among all states for lung cancer and 17th in the country for asbestos-related deaths, veterans should not hesitate to make an appointment with the doctor. Knowing that early detection can considerably improve treatment results and may add years to life, they should take proactive steps to protect their health through:
- Regular health check-ups: Planning regular medical examinations and speaking openly about military service and likely asbestos exposure is crucial. The inhaled asbestos fibers damage the lungs primarily, so veterans should ask for periodic chest X-rays or CT scans and pulmonary function tests (also known asthe breathing test). These imagistic procedures reveal any changes caused by the asbestos fibers and are a relevant diagnostic tool for benign and malignant asbestos-related illnesses.
- Legal rights: Veterans who know they’ve worked around asbestos during their service, or those who suspect they’ve been exposed to asbestos, should know their options and rights. Compensation programs and legal avenues are available to assist those injured by asbestos exposure.
As a veteran, you have the legal right to seek compensation from asbestos trust funds and apply for VA disability benefits. Asbestos trust funds are a notable source of monetary indemnification for individuals harmed by occupational exposure, including former armed forces personnel. These funds were set up by liable companies that entered bankruptcy protection and have approximately $37 billion currently available for future claimants. Veterans affected by asbestos exposure during duty can file compensation claims with both asbestos trust funds and Veterans Affairs.
- Promote awareness: Protecting the other and brotherhood is among the valuable lessons in the military; former service members can play a crucial role in raising awareness and educating by sharing their knowledge about the risks of asbestos exposure with their communities and fellow vets. In doing this, they can help ensure that others who protected our country are informed.