Lately, the general public has been made aware of the risks of asbestos exposure, especially for those who have served in the military. However, keep in mind that you might have been exposed to asbestos even if you weren't a member of the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, National Guard, or Coast Guard. If you were connected to the military in any way, see a doctor right away, as you may be at risk.

First and foremost, anyone who helped build or repair ships in a Navy shipyard has a high risk of asbestos exposure. Before the 1980s, asbestos was used readily to help build ships because it was lightweight, fire-resistant, cheap, durable, and flexible - the perfect substance for a sea vessel. What workers didn't know is that they were exposing themselves to asbestos every single day, and this would have major repercussions later in life. In a 1984 study at Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Virginia, researchers discovered that 79% of workers had lung problems caused by asbestos exposure.

In addition, that study showed that between 8% and 9% of these workers' wives also had lung abnormalities. If you are (or were) a wife of anyone who worked in the military or in a military-related career, it is important that you are tested for problems relating to asbestos. While you may not have had direct exposure at work, many homes build on military bases were made using asbestos. Even if that was not the cases, asbestos travels easily on clothing, hair, and shoes. So, wives who did laundry for their military husbands have been put at risk. Other family members, like children, may have also been put at risk.

Because many building on bases were build using asbestos, if you worked on a military base at all in any capacity, you may have been put at risk. Most jobs on bases belong to military personnel in one of the branches, but there are some that are held by civilians. Any structure built before the 1980s potentially was built using asbestos, so anyone working or living in them has been put at risk for asbestos-related diseases.

Keep in mind that the risks of asbestos exposure did not end when the EPA began to control the substance in the 1980s. Although the risks are now not as high, older ships and buildings are still used. If these structures are in disrepair, the asbestos used in the building materials could be re-released back into the air. That means that anyone involved in renovation or demolition of structures for the military have been put at risk. Currently, there are a number of ships and other structures undergoing renovations in order to modernize them for today's military needs. This kind of work is extremely dangerous.

Why is asbestos such a concern? Well, although this substance is great for building, it is very damaging to your health. Asbestos is very fibrous, so whenever it is disturbed, it fills the air and, as a result, you breathe it in. When you breathe in asbestos, you're putting yourself at risk for a whole host of medical problems, including asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma. All of these conditions are very serious, and mesothelioma puts you at an especially high risk for death.

Mesothelioma develops when the jagged asbestos fibers (most of which are too microscopic to see) stick in the soft tissue lining of your lungs. The body tries to heal the tears and abnormalities that this creates, but unfortunately, this only causes scar tissue to build up as you are continually exposed to asbestos. When the scare tissue builds up enough to create breathing problems, the condition is known as asbestosis.

However, more dangerous than that is mesothelioma. Mesothelioma occurs because the scar tissue creates a perfect environment for the mutation of cells. Mesothelioma cancer cells begin to multiple, creating tumors around the lungs. Unfortunately, by the time you experience symptoms from this problem, chances are that the cancer has already spread to other parts of the body, such as the glands, stomach, or even heart. Early symptoms are often misdiagnosed because they seem like symptoms of pneumonia or even the flu. However, the longer you go without being treated, the riskier the condition becomes.

If you worked around the military before the 1980s, it is important to see a doctor right away, even if you have no mesothelioma symptoms. Mesothelioma and other asbestos related conditions are quite serious, and you don't have to have been an active member of the military to be affected. If you worked on a base, for a shipyard, or in demolition, you are at risk. Military families are also at risk. Talk to a lawyer today to find out more about your rights if you have a medical condition stemming from asbestos exposure.

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