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While in the military, veterans worked and lived near materials containing asbestos, unaware of the danger they represented. Photo by Kim Britten
While in the military, veterans worked and lived near materials containing asbestos, unaware of the danger they represented. Photo by Kim Britten
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Op-Ed: Asbestos exposure may still impact California veterans’ health

By Cristina Johnson

The U.S. armed forces resorted to asbestos-containing products throughout the 20th century as WWII demanded affordable materials to make military equipment. Asbestos was abundant in the markets and became the material of choice for the military industry.

All five military branches utilized these durable products due to their fair price and accessibility. It resulted in many service members being exposed to asbestos, especially veterans of World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War.

The growing number of toxic exposure cases among our veterans these days underlines the health risks they assumed, in addition to the challenges of service. Many of them now have fragile health and may have to deal with severe asbestos diseases, including asbestosis, stemming from their military years.

Large amounts of asbestos in military bases

Not so long ago, the fibrous mineral was used in most industries, including the military, and nobody considered asbestos dust a health threat. It is why the risk of developing asbestos diseases is a concern for all veterans who might have asbestos fibers in their lungs, including those in California’s veteran community and  San Diego County’s and Encinitas City’s veteran population.

Although all the military applied asbestos, the Navy exploited it the most. Thus, personnel onboard naval vessels built before the 1980s were at an exceptionally high risk of asbestos exposure.

Even so, this fact doesn’t diminish the asbestos exposure risks of those serving in military camps throughout the U.S. Toxic contaminants represent health and environmental risks on military sites, and exposure to these hazardous substances is a severe issue requiring more attention, investigation, and, in most cases, immediate action after discovery.

California is home to 32 installations from every military branch, and a Navy Recruiting Station resides in Pasadena. During World War II, California’s naval bases played a central role in wartime logistics, with Naval Base San Diego being homeport to nearly a third of the Navy’s fleet in the Pacific theater.

Asbestos may be cause of veterans’ deteriorating health

While in the military, veterans worked and lived near materials containing asbestos, unaware of the danger they represented. When disturbed, asbestos breaks into microscopic particles, forming dust that may float in the air for hours. It’s the white dust many veterans remember. These sharp-edged microscopic asbestos threads are easy to inhale or ingest. Once inside the body, they cause irreversible damage to the tissue of major organs and cause life-altering diseases.

Asbestos-related conditions manifest symptoms only after decades beyond the initial exposure. While veterans may not have experienced health issues during their service, some of them have to deal with the effects of asbestos exposure when they are diagnosed with illnesses linked to it, like mesothelioma, asbestosis, lung cancer, or other severe respiratory conditions.

The struggle for well-being after asbestos exposure

Although many years have passed since the U.S. military used asbestos, veterans who were in contact with it during their service now have to fight for their health. Many must accept that their asbestos disease will shorten 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.

With California ranking first in the U.S. for mesothelioma and asbestosis deaths, veterans should make regular check-ups to monitor their health. Timely detection is crucial in asbestos-related diseases because it considerably improves treatment results and prolongs life expectancy.

That is why former service members should proactively protect their health through periodic health check-ups, learn their legal rights, and promote awareness.

Attending regular health check-ups and, while there, being forthcoming with doctors about military service and potential asbestos exposure are vital steps. 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.

Former service members 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.

Veterans can help raise awareness by sharing their knowledge about asbestos exposure risks. Openly speaking about their experiences can facilitate passing vital information to others who fought for our country.

PACT Act helps California veterans and their families

In 2022, the 117th U.S. Congress enacted the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022, known as the PACT Act. The new law aimed to improve health care and compensations for veterans exposed to toxic substances and was also supported by California Senator Alex Padilla.

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 California, approximately 60,000 veterans have filed PACT Act claims, and over 29,000 veterans received expanded benefits. California veterans can consult more information by accessing https://www.calvet.ca.gov.

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. For more information, please visit our page.

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