By Cristina Johnson
The U.S. military overused asbestos-containing products throughout the last century before entering WWII, as affordable materials were in high demand for mass-producing military equipment quickly. All five branches of the Armed Forces utilized asbestos in some form, exposing many service members to the material’s toxic fibers, especially those in service during the Second World War, the Korean War and the Vietnam War.
Today’s growing number of toxic exposure cases reflects the health risks our vets assumed, in addition to the challenges of service.
Navy veterans were at an exceedingly high risk of asbestos exposure and developing severe diseases decades after service, as the Two-Ocean Navy Act expanded the U.S. Naval Forces by more than 70 percent in preparation for the States’ entry into the Second World War. Shipbuilding picked up the pace by applying asbestos insulation wherever possible on Navy ships built before the 1980s. However, this doesn’t exclude other military facilities throughout the state from being potential sources of asbestos exposure.
Moreover, most of the past century’s industries routinely used asbestos, so nobody considered asbestos dust a health threat. This is why the risk of developing asbestos diseases is still a concern for all veterans who might have asbestos fibers in their lungs, including those in Maryland’s veteran community and Baltimore’s veteran population. Toxic contaminants represent environmental and health risks on military sites, and exposure to these substances is a severe issue requiring more attention, investigation, and, in most cases, immediate action after discovery. Maryland has 11 installations from every military branch except the Marine Corps, though Marines train at the U.S. Naval Academy. Among the state’s bases is the Coast Guard Yard in Baltimore, one of the most unique military facilities, acting as a shipyard. Maryland’s airfields were training grounds for aircrews and pilots of USAAF fighters and bombers during WWII. Furthermore, the Maryland National Guard had a central role in the war, with its units taking part in the D-Day landings in 1944 and participating in battles across France, Holland, and Germany.
Asbestos exposure at the root of veterans’ deteriorating health
Asbestos disintegrates into microscopic particles when disturbed, forming dust that can float in the air for hours. It’s the white dust many veterans remember. These sharp-edged microscopic threads are easy to inhale or ingest and cause irreversible damage to the tissue of organs, generating life-altering diseases.
Asbestos-related diseases are latent for decades from the initial exposure and usually manifest symptoms when they reach advanced stages. Even if veterans may not have had health issues during their service, some of them now have to fight for their health, especially when they are diagnosed with illnesses like mesothelioma, asbestosis, lung cancer or other severe respiratory diseases. Many must accept the fact that their asbestos illness shortens their lives, as no existing treatment can reverse the damage done by asbestos. Today’s medical procedures can only slow the progression, relieve symptoms, and prevent complications.
Maryland ranks 14th in the U.S. for asbestos-related deaths, so veterans should schedule periodic visits to the doctor to monitor their health. Timely detection is crucial in asbestos diseases because it considerably improves treatment results and prolongs life expectancy. Inhaled asbestos fibers affect the lungs first, so veterans should undergo chest X-rays or CT scans and pulmonary function (breathing) tests. These noninvasive tests reveal any injury caused by the asbestos fibers and are reliable in diagnosing benign and malignant asbestos conditions.
Veterans who know they’ve served in an asbestos-contaminated environment or those who suspect they’ve been exposed during the military years should know their rights and options. Compensation programs and legal avenues are available through asbestos trust funds and Veterans Affairs to help those harmed by asbestos exposure, and veterans need to be informed about these resources.
PACT Act helps Hawaii veterans and their families
In 2022, the 117th U.S. Congress enacted The Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honouring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022, known as the PACT Act. The Act extends eligibility for V.A. health care for retired military members exposed to harmful substances during active duty and provides veterans with the care and benefits they deserve.
Thanks to this new law, approximately 3.5 million toxic-exposed veterans will be eligible for extended V.A. benefits. Since the passage of the PACT Act, over 4 million veterans have been screened for toxic exposure, and nearly 350,000 US citizens have been approved for expanded benefits.
In Maryland, approximately 15,000 veterans have filed PACT Act claims, and over 6,000 veterans received expanded benefits. Veterans can consult more information by accessing https://www.va.gov/resources/the-pact-act-and-your-va-benefits/.
About the author: Cristina Johnson is a Navy veteran advocate for Asbestos Ships Organization, a nonprofit whose primary mission is to raise awareness and educate veterans about the dangers of asbestos exposure on Navy ships and assist them in navigating the VA claims process.
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