Military Exposure to Asbestos

What is asbestos?

Asbestos is a toxic substance used in many buildings and products during the 1900s. Because asbestos-containing materials are resistant to heat and corrosion, they are useful in many applications, including insulation, construction, and fireproofing. However, when asbestos breaks down, it releases tiny needle-like fibers into the air. These fibers can become lodged in the lungs and, over time, cause serious diseases including lung cancer and mesothelioma. 

Due to its resistance to fire and other hazards, asbestos was strongly recommended and sometimes required in buildings and vessels built for the U.S. military for much of the 20th century. As the standard for safety, it was common in military vehicles, buildings, and equipment. Service members in all military branches had a risk of asbestos exposure, but requirements for the use of asbestos in shipbuilding caused an outsize effect on Navy personnel.

Navy veterans

People who served in the Navy have the highest risk of asbestos exposure across all military branches.  Asbestos was used heavily in shipbuilding during and after World War II. All U.S. Navy vessels built before 1980 are assumed to contain high levels of asbestos. 

Asbestos was used throughout naval vessels, especially in storage rooms, boiler rooms, engines, and pump rooms. Poor ventilation and tight quarters on many Navy ships exacerbated the problem. In addition to its use in cruisers, destroyers, aircraft carriers, submarines, and other vessels, asbestos was also common in building materials on naval bases. 

High-risk jobs for Navy veterans included: 

• Machinist’s Mates (MM) 
• Boiler Technicians (BT) 
• Water Tenders (WT) 
• Enginemen (EN) 
• Firemen (FN) 
• Hull Maintenance Technicians (HT) 
• Electrician’s Mates (EM) 
• Damage Controlmen (DC) 
• Shipfitters/Pipefitters (SF) 
• Seabees (Construction Battalions) 

A study in the International Journal of Radiation Biology found that while only 20% of people in the Navy held jobs with a high risk of asbestos exposure, these individuals accounted for 55% of mesothelioma deaths. 

Coast Guard veterans

Many people who served in the Coast Guard were exposed to asbestos on ships and in shipyards. Coast Guard cutters contained significant amounts of asbestos, with all vessels built prior to 1991 assumed to contain asbestos. Pump rooms, boiler rooms, engine rooms, sleeping quarters, and mess halls had high levels of asbestos, with risks elevated during maintenance procedures and construction work. 

Army veterans

People who served in the Army may have been exposed to asbestos through military installations and vehicles. Asbestos was used in insulation, floor tiles, roofing, and cement at Army bases and many Army reserves have been found to contain asbestos. 

Components of military vehicles that experienced high temperature and friction also frequently incorporated asbestos. These parts include brakes and bearings in tanks and brake pads, gaskets, and clutch plates on other vehicles used in combat and transport. 

High-risk jobs for those serving in the Army include: 

• Infantry 
• Vehicle mechanic 
• Aircraft mechanic 
• Artillery 

Symptoms of diseases caused by asbestos 

Many diseases caused by exposure to asbestos, including mesothelioma and lung cancer, have similar symptoms. These include: 

• Shortness of breath 
• Coughing 
• Chest pain 
• Wheezing 
• Fatigue 
• Unexplained weight loss 

Due to these conditions’ long latency periods, it can take decades for symptoms to develop. If you think you may have been exposed to asbestos, it’s important to talk to your doctor about the possibility of asbestos-related diseases. A medical professional can help you get a diagnosis, which is an important step in assessing your options for financial compensation.