Asbestos use was widespread in the U.S. armed forces during the last century, reaching its peak as the WWII war effort demanded large amounts of accessible materials for the production of military equipment.
Because it needed to ensure a safe, fireproof environment on its ships, the Navy applied the most asbestos in comparison to other military branches; its vessels were insulated from bow to stern with the toxic material. This practice put naval personnel serving onboard Navy ships built before the 1980s at an exceptionally high risk of asbestos exposure. However, other military bases aren’t excluded from being potential sources of asbestos contamination.
Because of the widespread use of asbestos in military property — including on aircraft, vehicles, ships, shipyards and barracks — veterans, especially those of WWII or the Korean or Vietnam Wars, risked asbestos exposure whenever they fulfilled duty on land, sea or air. In addition to being exposed to other toxic materials, working near asbestos-containing items may have been a supplemental factor to Washington veterans’ deteriorating health, as diseases due to toxic exposure are on the rise today.
This issue disproportionately affects Washington’s and Seattle’s veteran communities. Washington hosts eight military bases, most of which are situated around Seattle. The state’s WWII military history includes Fairchild Air Force Base, the largest wartime air refueling base in the U.S. Air Force, and NAS Whidbey Island Navy Base, the single largest naval installation in the Pacific Northwest. It was officially commissioned as an operational U.S. Naval Air Station in 1942 and has 7,500 active duty and reserve military personnel serving on its premises.
Asbestos exposure’s impact on veterans’ health
Due to their structure and size, airborne asbestos particles can linger in the air for hours when disturbed. The microscopic, sharp-edged fibers are easily inhaled or ingested, making asbestos dust one of the most toxic substances humans have encountered. Once inside the body, these tiny threads cause permanent damage to major organs and lead to devastating diseases.
One of the most terrible aspects of asbestos-related diseases is the decades-long latency period between exposure and the first symptoms. A veteran can have no health issues during their service and only learn about the effects of asbestos exposure when they are diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, lung cancer or other severe respiratory diseases that stem from exposure.
Health and well-being after asbestos exposure
Even if decades have passed since the armed forces applied asbestos widely, thousands of veterans who were in contact with it while in the military now have to fight for their health. Many individuals must come to terms with the fact that their asbestos disease will shorten their lives: no treatment can reverse the damage done by asbestos. Existing medical procedures can only focus on slowing the progression, relieving symptoms and preventing complications.
Washington ranks eighth in the U.S. for asbestos-related deaths. Veterans in our state should seek medical attention as soon as possible. Timely detection is critical with asbestos-related diseases, because it considerably improves treatment results and prolongs life expectancy. Veterans should proactively protect their health through having regular check ups, learning their legal rights and speaking up about asbestos exposure.
Going to regular health check-ups and, while there, being open about military service and possible asbestos exposure are all essential steps. Inhaled asbestos fibers damage the lungs first, so veterans should undergo chest X-rays or CT scans and pulmonary function (breathing) tests. These tests reveal injuries caused by the asbestos fibers and are reliable in diagnosing benign and malignant asbestos illnesses.
Veterans who know they’ve worked in an asbestos-contaminated environment or those who suspect they’ve been exposed to it while serving should know their rights and options. Legal avenues and compensation programs are available to help veterans through asbestos trust funds and Veterans Affairs.
Veterans can play a crucial role in raising awareness by sharing their knowledge about asbestos exposure. By speaking openly about their experiences, they can make sure others who protected our country are informed.
Besides expressing our gratitude to veterans for their service, we also have a responsibility to help protect their well-being. Bringing awareness of asbestos exposure is an integral part of this responsibility. By informing about this still-lurking danger, we can ensure that those who have served receive the care and support they rightly deserve.
Cristina Johnson is a Navy veteran advocate for Asbestos Ships Organization, a nonprofit that has a primary mission of raising awareness and educating veterans about the dangers of asbestos exposure on Navy ships, as well as assisting them in navigating the VA claims process. For more information, please visit asbestos-ships.com.
Read more of the May 8–14, 2024 issue.