Military Veterans and Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma among veterans of the U.S. military is an unfortunately common occurrence. Thousands of veterans of World War II, the Korean Conflict, the war in Vietnam, and the years in between were exposed to asbestos as part of their service to their country ─ on the job or in combat. The many cases of mesothelioma that are now being seen in veterans are due to asbestos exposure from years, even decades ago.

All Branches of the Service

Veterans of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard had work that involved installing, maintaining, repairing or replacing asbestos-containing materials. Mesothelioma is especially common among veterans of the U.S. Navy, because the boom in shipbuilding during WWII involved heavy exposure to asbestos components of ships.     Ship Workers Hardest Hit

The jobs on Navy ships that presented the highest risk of asbestos exposure and mesothelioma were:

• Boiler room workers and others who worked below deck
• Construction workers
• Insulation installers
• Machinery repairmen
• Machinists’ mates
• Shipyard laborers

Now, more than 50 years after the end of the WWII shipbuilding years, the lives of many of our dedicated Navy veterans are being cut short by mesothelioma.

Asbestos-Containing Products in the Military

However, former Navy personnel are not the only veterans at risk of contracting mesothelioma. Other veterans worked with asbestos-containing materials as part of their work as mechanics, plumbers, or other construction work. Common asbestos-containing materials include:

• Adhesives
• Brake pads and clutches
• Cables
• Gaskets
• Insulation
• Plumbing

The Risk of Mesothelioma

Many veterans worked with asbestos products on a daily basis for several years. Other veterans have developed mesothelioma even though they never worked directly with asbestos; simply being in close spaces with airborne asbestos in places such as mess halls, navigation rooms and sleeping quarters can result in the inhalation of dangerous levels of asbestos fibers ─ the sole verified cause of mesothelioma.

Learn More about Mesothelioma in Veterans

If you or your loved one is a veteran who has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, visit the Mesothelioma Treatment Centers to find out more about the resources that are available to you and your loved ones.