While many people were exposed to asbestos during the years when it was in widespread use, it is doubtful that any one group was hit harder than servicemen. Asbestos was widely used in many materials, and for those that served in the military, it was likely that they suffered from asbestos exposure day and night. Unlike those who were exposed to asbestos in the industrial setting, who worked around the materials and then headed home each day, military personnel worked in areas, and slept in areas, and ate in areas with asbestos containing materials.

How Members of the Army Were Exposed to Asbestos

Prior to the late 1970s, all branches of the military used asbestos containing materials throughout their barracks. Asbestos was a popular material for a variety of reasons. As a naturally occurring mineral it was readily available, and inexpensive. It has unique properties that make it both fireproof and heat resistant. These attributes made it an excellent choice for insulation. For decades the buildings that were constructed and the areas that soldiers lived and worked in were filled with asbestos fibers. Any soldier that served in the United States Army from the early 1940s through the late 1970s may have been exposed to asbestos at some point in their military career.

One branch of the military that suffered from higher levels of asbestos exposure than any others was the Navy. Asbestos was used extensively throughout Navy vessels. Because these large ships provided base and transportation for more than their own men, however, any branch of the military may have suffered from asbestos exposure because of these ships. The marines often used Navy aircraft carriers as a base from which to fly their planes, and the "Magic Carpet" operation at the end of World War II, which was a plan to return all members of the military home as quickly as possible, relied heavily on Navy ships as a part of their transportation system.

Dangers of Asbestos Exposure

Asbestos exposure can lead to one of two health problems, both extremely serious. Asbestosis is a chronic inflammation of the lungs that eventually leads to respiratory failure. Mesothelioma is an aggressive form of asbestos cancer that is difficult to diagnose and even more difficult to treat. Both of these disease are caused by exposure to asbestos. Asbestos exposure is insidious, and often occurs without the knowledge of those who are effected. It is only decades later when the veteran develops an asbestos related illness that they realize that they may have been exposed while serving their country. The threat of asbestos exposure is a very real problem for army veterans. It is estimated that thirty percent of those who suffer from mesothelioma developed the disease after exposure to asbestos in the military.

Doctors are not able to pinpoint the amount of asbestos exposure that can lead to the development of health problems. While some studies seem to indicate that longer periods of exposure or heavy exposure increase the risk of asbestosis or mesothelioma, other studies have shown that even short term exposure can cause significant health problems. In short, no one is sure how much exposure is too much. What is known is that Army veterans are a group that was at high risk of exposure.

Problems for Army Veterans

Military veterans in all branches, including the army, face a particular problem with asbestos exposure. While many workers in the private sector have been able to recover money to help cover health care costs and perhaps some for compensation, veterans do not have this option. Private sector employees collect these funds either directly from the company that employed them at the time or from manufacturers of materials that were contained in the work space the employee occupied. Army veterans do not have this option. It is a particular condition of service to the country that veterans may not seek to recover damages through the court system. The army veteran can appeal for coverage through the Veterans Administration, but even this is a difficult situation.

Part of the problem that army veterans face when attempting to collect veterans benefits is the burden of proof that is placed on these servicemen. To show that they suffered from asbestos exposure during their time in the military, they must effectively prove that they were not exposed to asbestos at any other time. Given the widespread use of asbestos in all types of materials prior to 1978, this can be a daunting task. At the peak of asbestos usage, it was contained in over 3,000 materials. Proving that your only exposure occurred as a member of the military can seem futile. Consulting with an experienced attorney that has handled asbestos claims for other members of the military can provide you with the guidance that you need before attempting to secure veterans benefits.

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