Asbestos Exposure Among Veterans
Asbestos was widely used in equipment on Navy ships, Army tanks, and Air Force aircraft. Now, thousands of veterans and civilian workers are suffering from asbestos-related diseases, including the asbestos cancer mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis.
Military veterans, in particular Navy veterans, account for more than one-third of the 3,000 cases of malignant mesothelioma reported each year in the United States. Because the disease has a long incubation period (as long as 60 years), many older veterans are just now showing symptoms of asbestos illnesses.
Veterans who have been diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma and other asbestos diseases should speak to an experienced attorney about their options for compensation. You would not be suing the military or former commanding officers. Rather, veterans can pursue compensation from the companies that sold asbestos products to the military.
Types of Asbestos
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Chrysotile
Chrysotile asbestos is the only type that falls into the serpentine mineral category. Found around the world, chrysotile asbestos comes from serpentinite rocks. Although it’s commonly known as white asbestos, chrysotile may also be gray, green, or yellow. The fibers are more flexible than the other types of asbestos, and they can be more than 10 centimeters long. These fibers curl around themselves, forming a spiral and leading to the name curly asbestos.
Chrysotile is the most common type, found in 95 percent of the products made with asbestos in the United States. It’s most often found in outbuildings, warehouses, and garages.
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Amosite
Amosite asbestos is made up of fibers that are long and straight. It is considered somewhat acid-resistant and can be brown, ash gray, or greenish.
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Crocidolite
Crocidolite asbestos, also known as blue asbestos, is not as heat resistant as other types of the mineral but is more acid resistant. It has fairly flexible fibers that are usually shorter and thinner than other types of asbestos in the amphibole category.
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Anthophyllite
Anthophyllite asbestos is extremely acid resistant and may be grayish white, brownish gray, or green. With short and brittle fibers, this type of asbestos is fairly rare. It is sometimes found in talc deposits.
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Tremolite
Tremolite asbestos may be white or gray, and its brittle fibers are resistant to acids. Tremolite is an amphibole that can also occur in non-asbestos form.
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Actinolite
Actinolite asbestos, a derivative of tremolite, has brittle fibers but is not resistant to acids. This type of amphibole also occurs in non-asbestos form. It may appear as pale to dark green.
Because of its ability to be woven into fabric, the National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme states it has been found in:
- Brake pads and clutch plate
- Building products
- Laboratory products
- Gaskets and packing
Unfortunately, these types of asbestos safety regulations have not always been in place. For decades, people worked with cancer-causing asbestos materials with no protection.
Disturbingly, asbestos companies knew of the danger workers were facing but failed to warn them.
Workers’ family members also risked secondhand exposure to take-home asbestos, which was transferred on workers’ clothing, skin, or hair to the home and then inhaled by others in the household.
Common Household
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Insulation
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Ceiling tile
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Floor tiles
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Roofing
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Piping
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Textured paint
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Patching compounds
The different characteristics of the various types of asbestos led to them being used in a wide variety of products, from construction materials to automotive parts, laboratory equipment, shipbuilding materials, and fabric.
Chrysotile, anthophyllite, amosite, and crocidolite asbestos have all been used commercially.
Industrial Products
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Boilers
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Turbines
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Pumps
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Valves
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Brakes
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Joint compounds
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Tanks
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Generators
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Pipe insulation
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Electrical equipment
If you’re not sure whether something contains asbestos, assume it does until it is evaluated by a professional. If you are at work, report suspected asbestos as soon as possible to the health and safety representative or your employer. If you suspect material in your home contains asbestos, contact an asbestos abatement professional.
If asbestos is found, two types of actions may be recommended:
- Containment, which is when professionals seal or cover the asbestos-containing material
- Removal, which is usually the preferred correction and should only be done by a qualified professional
There is no safe level of asbestos exposure, so don’t risk trying to remove asbestos materials on your own. Hire a qualified contractor to perform this job to avoid causing any exposure to your family or to workers. Find an asbestos removal professional near you.
What should I do if I have been around asbestos?
Although asbestos is extremely dangerous, not everyone who is exposed will suffer from an asbestos illness. If you suspect you were exposed, the best course of action is to schedule an appointment with your doctor to discuss it.
Your doctor might recommend you get regular chest X-rays, CT scans, and lung function tests. Although there is no test for asbestos exposure, regular monitoring can help detect any signs of lung disease early.
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It contains a wealth of information and resources to help you better understand the condition, choose (and afford) appropriate treatment, and exercise your legal right to compensation.
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