5 Asbestos Exposure Projects For Every Budget
Military Asbestos Exposure Asbestos is a component used in the construction of Navy ships for pipe insulation, fireproofing and floor tiles. It was also used in boilers, engines for ships, vehicle and aircraft brakes and clutches. Some veterans may have developed mesothelioma, or other health issues. This includes Army personnel, Air Force personnel and Marine Corps personnel. Navy The most at-risk group was the Navy veterans because of the widespread use of asbestos in ships and shipyards. Asbestos was also present in those who were involved in the construction, repair, or removal of naval vessels, as well as on vessels. Asbestos was a popular choice for Navy ship construction because it could provide insulation against heat, fire and water. It was used in the hulls of Navy ships, as well as in engine rooms, boilers rooms, and other mechanical areas. It was also used in adhesives, industrial compound, cabin insulation, and plumbing fixtures. Many Navy veterans have developed mesothelioma due to these types of work after being on or near ships. This includes those who were laggers on Navy ships (insulators) as well as machinists' mates who fixed machinery and engine components that contain asbestos packing, as as damage control workers, who are responsible for rescue and firefighting in the event of an hostile attack. Asbest can pose a danger for those working in the Coast Guard, as many of the ships used by the military have asbestos. This was due to asbestos was a cost-effective and fireproof material that could withstand the elements of heat and cold. It was used in many Navy ships, as well as various military aircrafts, vehicles and barracks. Asbestos veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related diseases may claim compensation from the VA through their disability compensation system. To prove that the disease is due to military service, a written account of asbestos exposure must be provided. This includes where and when the veteran was exposed to asbestos and what specific roles they played in. It also must show that at least 50 percent of the asbestos exposure occurred during military service. Air Force Asbestos, which is a mineral of natural origin, has distinct properties which make it valuable in military construction projects. It is fire-resistant electrical, heat, and chemical corrosion resistant and extremely affordable to purchase and use. It was used throughout the military from 1940 until the 1990s. This led to high rates of asbestos exposure for veterans from all branches. Air Force veterans who served during this period are particularly at risk for developing an asbestos-related condition, such as mesothelioma. As with other branches of the military, the Air Force built its bases using asbestos-containing materials. The noxious material was used in boilers and pipes, along with other insulation products throughout bases. Airmen were exposed to asbestos in bases like mess rooms, hospitals and even shops. Asbestos is a fine and scaly material, so the resulting dust could easily be transported from one place to another by people who were on and off base. Mechanics, electricians, custodians and other workers may carry asbestos fibers from one part of the building to another on their clothes and in their hair. Airmen who worked on aircrafts like welders and mechanics, were also at chance of exposure to asbestos. The harmful fibers could get into the lungs when breathed and cause damage to lung tissue, which often develops into mesothelioma. Mesothelioma affects the lung's lining as well as the chest cavity, which could cause serious complications and symptoms. To learn about their rights under the law asbestos victims should speak with an experienced mesothelioma lawyer. A lawyer can help the veteran, or their family, in bringing an action against the manufacturers who sold toxic products that exposed them to mesothelioma. These lawsuits seek compensation from companies that put profits over safety. Army Asbest was probably employed by veterans of the Army who served from World War II to the 1970s. They are at risk of developing aggressive forms of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related ailments later in life. Soldiers could have been exposed to asbestos in bases, barracks and ships that contained the material. Asbestos was a well-known building product at this time because it was fire-resistant and long-lasting. It was also extremely affordable. The Army made use of asbestos to create a variety of products such as pipe insulation, spray-on fireproofing, and flooring materials. These materials were employed in the construction and repair of various types and vehicles including tanks, ships, and cars. Asbestos-related diseases can take decades to develop. Many veterans were diagnosed many years after their active service. During war, soldiers in combat zones were exposed to additional asbestos-related risks. These locations often had buildings made of asbestos, which were bombed or destroyed and released the harmful fibers into the air. This kind of exposure also occurred at bases in the United States, as well as at ports and other locations in other countries. Veterans who are diagnosed with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases resulting from their military service have the right to make an VA disability claim. Compensation varies depending on the degree of the health condition and the amount he or she was exposed to asbestos as a member of the military. However, the Department of Veterans Affairs does not compensate veterans for mesothelioma in cases where it is not directly related to their military service. Instead, the organization offers monthly compensation for veterans who meet on the standards for disability set by the agency. The money can be used to pay for medical bills, living expenses and other needs associated with the disease. Marines Marines may have been exposed to asbestos through military ships, vehicles bases, aircraft and even bases. The ones who worked as Marine vehicle mechanics and on transport vehicles such as the M60 Patton tank ran the most risk of exposure. These veterans were exposed asbestos gaskets, brake pads and seals on vehicles. Asbestos fibers were released into the air as these materials degraded. The fibers could be breathed in by those living in the vicinity and lead to the development of mesothelioma, an asbestos-related disease. Navy veterans who served prior to the 1980s are also at risk. Asbestos was utilized in Navy ship parts such as boilers, incinerators and engines to guard them from fire and excessive heat. These components typically had inadequate ventilation, which meant that asbestos fibers could circulate throughout the compartments of the ship. As insulation deteriorated, fibers would be released into the air. Air force veterans could be at risk of exposure. Asbestos insulated military aircraft and was found in rotors, engine parts fuel systems, and hydraulic systems. In 1994 the Marine Corps implemented an OSHA-compatible asbestos safety program to protect workers from asbestos. Prior to 1994, asbestos was removed in hundreds of Marine barracks and base facilities and mechanical shops. This was usually done by untrained teams comprised of enlisted men. Asbestos exposure in the Marines can lead to a variety of serious health conditions including mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis. Veterans diagnosed with these illnesses need to seek out specialized treatment at an VA hospital or one of the best mesothelioma treatment centers. It is important to know that mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases have lengthy time periods of latency. This means that symptoms typically are not evident until years after the initial exposure. Coast Guard The Coast Guard used asbestos to insulate vessels and to fireproof them. Coast Guard veterans who served at the Curtis Bay Coast Guard Yard were at particular risk of exposure. The yard was home to more than 100 asbestos-contaminated shipbuilding and repair buildings, including barracks, a hangar and an engine shop. Asbestos was also found in the insulation, piping and other building materials found on many Coast Guard ships. Because of Alameda asbestos lawyers prolonged exposure to asbestos-containing materials, these veterans are at a higher chance of developing mesothelioma and other respiratory illnesses. Similar to Navy and Air Force veterans, Coast Guard veterans may have been exposed to asbestos regularly on shipyards and ships. These men and women carried out search and rescue missions, protected the environment and protected U.S. coastlines and waterways. Due to the responsibilities of the branch, it is not surprising that asbestos was present in Coast Guard ships and at military bases. Coast Guard veterans are eligible for VA benefits to pay for medical treatments if they suffer from an asbestos-related disease. Due to the long mesothelioma's latency, it is important that patients receive a diagnosis as soon as they can. Army veterans are at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma as a result of their frequent exposure to military vehicles, planes and barracks. Asbestos was a major component of military equipment due to the fact that it was cheap and provided insulation and fire resistance. In the 1980s, asbestos was prohibited for new uses. However, asbestos-containing pipe insulation, cement sheets floor tiles, floor tiles and roof tiles were still in a variety of military zones. This “legacy” asbestos was a source of dangers for soldiers. Veterans may be eligible for legal assistance in order to seek compensation from asbestos producers, regardless of the field of service they served. Although nothing can erase mesothelioma from a veteran however, financial aid can provide a sense of stability for families in need of help.