Throughout the 20th century, asbestos usage was significantly amplified across all military branches, with a notable increase in the Army. Asbestos, a naturally abundant and affordable mineral, was highly regarded for its robustness and heat resistance. A multitude of construction materials that contained asbestos were employed for erecting military facilities where army personnel were stationed, rested, and consumed their meals. In addition, asbestos was a common component in army vehicles, including trucks and tanks, therefore there was a lot of asbestos exposure in the military.
Reliance on Asbestos
The military’s reliance on asbestos reached far beyond just construction and vehicular applications. This versatile mineral was added to a wide array of materials such as cement, caulking, flooring, and roofing products to enhance their strength. Not to mention its use as a crucial component in different insulation products including pipe insulation, block insulation, and spray-on fireproofing. Moreover, mechanical parts like gaskets, clutch plates, and brake pads frequently incorporated asbestos. Unknowingly, military service members who engaged in work that released asbestos dust into the air were placed at an elevated risk of asbestos exposure. Occupations that posed a high risk included carpentry, construction, demolition, insulating, milling, mining, and vehicle maintenance.
Asbestos-Related Health Complications
Asbestos exposure in the U.S. military endured for decades within the army’s installations. Asbestos-related health complications can take decades to surface, often resulting in diagnoses long after service members have retired. Prolonged exposure to airborne asbestos particles and fibers can lead to serious health issues, including breathing difficulties, coughing, and chest pain. This particularly affected veterans who served in roles such as mining, milling, shipyard work, insulation work, demolition of old buildings, carpentry and construction, manufacturing and installation of products such as flooring and roofing. The two primary types of cancer linked to asbestos exposure include lung cancer and mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer that typically affects the thin lining surrounding the lung or the abdominal cavity. Asbestosis, the scarring of lung tissue that hinders normal breathing, is another significant health issue associated with asbestos exposure.
Sources:
https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/asbestos/index.asp
