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Pleural Mesothelioma and Navy Veterans

From the 1930s to the 1980s, those in service with the U.S. Navy were at an increased risk of being exposed to asbestos due to the high use of the toxic mineral throughout many ships and shipyards. Asbestos was primarily utilized for its insulating and fireproofing capabilities. The Navy even mandated the use of asbestos in more than 300 products in order to lower the risk of fires aboard ships. Because of this, many Navy veterans have developed pleural mesothelioma, a rare cancer almost exclusively caused by asbestos exposure.

Asbestos Exposure in the Navy

In the past, shipyards were a place where exposure to asbestos was prevalent. Whether ships were being constructed, repaired or overhauled, such work would routinely cause asbestos fibers to become airborne where they could be inhaled. Once inhaled, the fibers could potentially attach to the lining of the lungs, eventually developing into pleural mesothelioma tumors later in life. In most cases, mesothelioma can take anywhere between 20 and 50 years to develop.

The slightest disturbance to asbestos-containing materials may have caused asbestos fibers to release into the air. Crew members aboard ships could have easily been exposed to asbestos through the normal wear and tear of materials on deck. Due to the microscopic size of the fibers, the risk for exposure may have last several days as airborne asbestos has to potential to remain floating for long periods of time.

Areas aboard ships that were common locations for asbestos-containing materials included boiler rooms, sleeping quarters and areas that required insulation such as piping and walls. Occupations within the shipyard industry that carried a higher risk of asbestos exposure included welders, painters, machinists and others who made repairs on board.

Pleural Mesothelioma Development

The development of mesothelioma is most common among Navy veterans and former shipyard workers. Anyone who has worked on a shipyard or served on a naval vessel should receive regular checkups with a qualified physician for signs of asbestos exposure. Detecting this rare cancer in the earliest stages of development is one of the only ways to improve prognosis. Although research continues, there is no cure for pleural mesothelioma.

PleuralMesothelioma.com offers free assistance to veterans filing a VA claim. Our Veterans Assistance Department has reliable experience in filing VA claims and we can help any veteran with pleural mesothelioma to acquire benefits from the VA. To speak with someone in our Veterans Assistance Department please call 1-800-615-2270 or simply fill out the form on this page to be contacted.