Asbestos are fibrous minerals that occur naturally in the environment. Asbestos minerals have separable long fibers that are strong and flexible enough to be spun and woven and are heat resistant. Because of these characteristics, asbestos has been used for a wide range of manufactured goods, such as in building materials, automobile products, heat-resistant fabrics, packaging, gaskets, and coatings.
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Exposure to Asbestos
We are all exposed to low levels of asbestos in the air we breathe, especially in cities and industrial areas. However, exposure becomes a serious health risk when the asbestos-containing material is disturbed so that particles and fibers are released into the air, such as during demolition work, building maintenance and repair.
Learn more about asbestos* from the Department of Health and Human Services.
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How Veterans May Have Been Exposed to Asbestos during Military Service
Veterans who served in some of the following major occupations may have been exposed to asbestos:
Pipefitter
- Mining
- Milling
- Shipyard work
- Insulation work
- Demolition of old buildings
- Carpentry and construction
- Manufacture and servicing of friction products, such as clutch facings and brake linings
- Manufacture and installation of products, such as roofing and flooring materials, asbestos cement sheet and pipe products, and military equipment
During World War II, several million people employed in U.S. shipyards and U.S. Navy Veterans were exposed to chrysotile products as well as amosite and crocidolite since these varieties were used extensively in military ship construction.
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Health Problems Associated with Exposure to Asbestos
Breathing asbestos mainly causes problems in the lungs and the membrane that surrounds the lungs, including:
- Asbestosis – Scarring of lung tissue that causes breathing problems, usually in workers exposed to asbestos in workplaces before the Federal government began regulating asbestos use (mid-1970s).
- Pleural plaques – Scarring in the inner surface of the ribcage and area surrounding the lungs that can cause breathing problems, though usually not as serious as asbestosis. People living in areas with high environmental levels of asbestos, as well as workers, can develop pleural plaques.
- Cancer - The two types of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos are lung cancer and mesothelioma, a cancer of the thin lining surrounding the lung (pleural membrane) or abdominal cavity (the peritoneum).
If you are concerned about health problems associated with exposure to asbestos during your military service, contact the Environmental Health Coordinator or Patient Care Advocate at your nearest VA medical facility.
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VA Benefits
Veterans who were exposed to asbestos during military service may be eligible for:
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More Information on Asbestos
*By clicking on these links, you will leave the Department of Veterans Affairs Web site.
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