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British Armed Forces and Mesothelioma

The armed forces of the United Kingdom consist of the Royal Navy, the British Army and the Royal Air Force. The United Kingdom’s Navy and Air Force are the largest in the European Union. During the time that asbestos use was most prevalent, the Royal Navy was very active in building ships that contained the toxic substance. Asbestos exposure has been responsible for many deaths and illnesses in the United Kingdom, one of which being the fatal cancer pleural mesothelioma.

Pleural Mesothelioma and the Royal Navy

Shipyards in the United Kingdom were prime locations where the use of asbestos was extremely high. Like those being built in the United States between the 1940s and 1980s, ships constructed in the United Kingdom were manufactured with asbestos for its insulating and fireproofing capabilities. Asbestos was commonly wrapped around boilers, generators, hot water pipes and fuel lines. The naturally occurring mineral was also used in floor and ceiling tiles, electric cabling, gaskets, valves and walls.

Shipyard workers who built or repaired these ships were at a constant risk of being exposed to asbestos. Because many of them were not aware of the hazards associated with asbestos, they did not wear protective equipment to prevent exposure. As a result, pleural mesothelioma has become one of the common conditions developed by former shipyard workers in the United Kingdom. Other conditions that may result from asbestos exposure include lung cancer and asbestosis.

Other Military Branches and Asbestos

While the Royal Navy may have experienced higher levels of asbestos exposure, other military branches in the United Kingdom faced the risk of exposure as well. Vehicles used within the British Army were likely to contain asbestos through the use of asbestos-containing valves and gaskets. Brake linings were also commonly made with asbestos and the constant friction of brake pads often released asbestos dust into the brake housing. When these brake housings were opened, those nearby were at great risk of inhaling airborne asbestos fibers. Any repairs on vehicles used by the British Army may have carried the risk of being exposed to asbestos.

People who serve in the military have had a slightly higher risk of experiencing asbestos exposure. Because the mineral was also commonly used in the construction industry, both Army and Air Force bases in the United Kingdom may have been built using asbestos-containing materials. Asbestos was typically added to roofing shingles, drywall, flooring and ceiling materials, pipes, and ducts for the heating and cooling system.  If any of these materials were damaged during routine activities, asbestos exposure may have occurred.

Pleural Mesothelioma Risks in the United Kingdom

The development of an asbestos-related disease such as pleural mesothelioma is most often fatal. The severe latency period of symptoms and limited treatment options both contribute to the low life expectancy associated with the cancer. According to the Health and Safety Executive, 2,156 people passed away from mesothelioma in 2007. The most frequently recorded occupations presenting risks for developing mesothelioma included carpenters, joiners, plumbers, heating and ventilating engineers and electricians.

Sources

1. http://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/causdis/mesothelioma/