How Mesothelioma Affects Veterans

For decades, the men and women of the Armed Forces of the United States have defended our country, both in times of war and in times of peace. Veterans put their lives on the line each and every day, both on the battlefront and at the many U.S. military bases located around the world.

Some hazards of life in the military are quite obvious. Others are not so apparent. One of the many silent dangers that our veterans faced was the decades-long widespread use of asbestos by the armed forces. Military members were often unaware that this hazard lurked nearby. Asbestos has put many veterans' well being at risk, causing aggressive diseases that affect quality of life and shorten lives as well.

Asbestos was used by the military for many years, with especially extensive use during the years of World War II and the Korean Conflict, when shipbuilding was at its peak. In fact, about 4.3 million Americans worked in shipyards during World War II and because of the daily tasks they performed, many were at risk for developing asbestos-related diseases, including asbestosis and the cancer known as mesothelioma.

Indeed, asbestos could be found literally anywhere aboard a military ship, from the boiler room to the galley to the soldiers' quarters. While the soldiers who lived and worked aboard the ship - including gunmen, boilermen, and firemen - were susceptible to inhaling asbestos, those who built the ships were even more prone to developing the diseases associated with the toxic mineral. That included tradesmen such as pipefitters, plumbers, mechanics, shipfitters, electricians, welders, boilermakers, and many others.

There have even been cases of military base secretaries and others who did not work directly with the ships developing mesothelioma through second-hand exposure to the mineral. That means they may have inhaled asbestos dust from the clothes and hair of others who worked on the base or perhaps because an abundance of asbestos was regularly circulating through the air. Loved ones of shipyard workers have also been known to develop the disease due to the same secondary exposure.

Because mesothelioma can remain dormant for several decades, many veterans who served during the 1950s to the 1970s are just being diagnosed with the disease. These brave men and women were unaware that they would face such a demon in their later years when they should be enjoying retirement and extra time with their family. Mesothelioma is particularly difficult to battle, and though treatments are gradually improving, these veterans face a painful death, generally within a year or two of their diagnosis.

In the meantime, there has been much controversy surrounding the U.S. government and their responsibility to those who have developed mesothelioma and other asbestos diseases during their service to the country. While the Veterans Administration offers some guidance to afflicted personnel, it is clear that more must be done to support the veteran crippled by mesothelioma, including compensation for medical expenses, loss of income, and suffering.