Asbestos is still claiming the lives of many of our veterans nationwide. In the early 1920s, the U.S. Navy identified asbestos mineral fibers as a cost-effective substance for shipbuilding, among other purposes. Asbestos became of critical importance to the armed forces, especially during wartime years.
During World War II, the use of asbestos-containing material in shipbuilding, military aircraft and incendiary bombs reached its peak. The application of products made with asbestos by all military branches continued to increase until the early 1970s, when its carcinogenic nature came to light.
Asbestos materials were preferred by the military and other industries because of their heat resistance and durability, but they are highly hazardous to human health. Asbestos is solely responsible for asbestosis, the scarring of lung tissues, and mesothelioma, an aggressive cancer attacking the lungs in the first place, and it largely contributes to lung cancer, the second most common cancer in the U.S.
Veterans who spent years in asbestos-contaminated environments while serving now suffer the consequences. Because asbestos lingers in the body between 20 to 50 years after exposure and before asbestos-related illnesses show any symptoms, more and more veterans have been diagnosed with severe diseases linked to it. For instance, veterans comprise roughly 30% of Americans with mesothelioma.
Veterans in certain states are more affected than others. Based on national data, the Environmental Working Group estimated that between 1999 and 2017, California was among the top five U.S. states with the most asbestos-related deaths — over 27,000.
Moreover, California is among the top 10 states with the most military bases, and the Navy has a long history in the Golden State. In 2023, California ranked second in the nation for the number of veterans with 1,487,000.
Among the many important naval bases established in California, the now-closed Mare Island Naval Shipyard was the first Navy base on the West Coast. During World War II it was one of the busiest naval shipyards in the world, with over 500 naval vessels constructed, and thousands overhauled.
Our veteran population is declining due to age and malignant illnesses, many of which are caused by service-related toxic exposure. Asbestos adds to the long list of hazards negatively affecting veterans’ well-being. However, asbestos-linked conditions, especially mesothelioma, are very difficult to detect in their early stages. Unfortunately, timely discovery is the only option for finding a treatment and prolonging life expectancy.
By hiding the truth about the toxicity of asbestos, manufacturers have knowingly exposed millions of service members to the dangers of inhaling the toxic fibers. Now, the Veterans Administration encourages veterans to attend to health check-ups and apply for health care services. The only way to detect asbestos in the lungs and body is to go for periodical specialized screenings, such as chest X-rays or CT scans, even if veterans do not experience symptoms.
Importantly, those diagnosed with a malignant condition linked to in-service asbestos exposure can file claims with the asbestos trust funds or apply for disability compensation from the VA. The disability compensation process has become more straightforward since 2022, with the passage of the PACT Act, which added asbestos-caused illnesses to the list of presumptive conditions.
Having a disability, especially at an older age, is an enormous burden, not only mentally and physically, but financially, too. We urge veterans to talk to their VA representatives and claim what is rightfully theirs. Veterans can find more information online.
Cristina Johnson is a Navy veteran advocate for the 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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