Over the 20th century, the U.S. military overly used asbestos,...
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Over the 20th century, the U.S. military overly used asbestos, as the WWII war effort needed large amounts of materials for military equipment production. Asbestos was abundant in the markets, and manufacturers wanted to make the most of its accessibility, ignoring the health risks of adding asbestos to products. Although the Navy exploited asbestos the most, and naval personnel faced an outstandingly high risk of asbestos exposure, this doesn’t exclude other military bases from being a potential source of asbestos contamination.
Considering the extensive use of asbestos in military property like vehicles, tools, barracks, aircraft, shipyards, and ships, service members risked asbestos exposure whenever they fulfilled duty on land, sea, or air. Besides being exposed to several hazardous materials, working near asbestos products may have been an added risk to Florida veterans’ deteriorating health, as diseases linked to their toxic exposure are on the rise today. The issue concerns Florida’s veteran population, Okeechobee County’s and Okeechobee City’s veteran community.
With over 200 military installations built or expanded between 1941 and 1945, Florida’s WWII military past speaks volumes about those times. South Central Florida’s wartime past includes camps for German POWs, among them facilities in Clewiston and Belle Glade.
Florida hosts 21 military bases from every branch of the U.S. armed forces, including NAS Jacksonville Navy Base, a training ground for more than 10000 WWII pilots and air specialists. The state’s wartime history includes NAS Key West Navy Base, an operating and training base for the Second World War’s fleet aircraft Squadrons. NS Mayport Navy Base is one of the most advanced military bases in the U.S. Navy. It was activated in 1942 and played an essential role during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Wartime history wouldn’t be complete without NAS Pensacola Navy Base, the U.S. naval aviation cradle, where thousands of aviators and pilots trained to fight for the country.
Between 1999 and 2013, over 14,000 Florida citizens, including retired military members, died from an asbestos-connected disease. Asbestos releases particles that can float in the air for hours when disturbed. Due to their microscopic size, the fibers are easily inhaled or ingested, making asbestos dust one of the most toxic substances humans have encountered. These tiny, sharp-edged fibers permanently damage major organs, leading to devastating diseases.
One of the most terrible aspects of asbestos diseases is the decades-long latency period between exposure and the first symptoms. Even if veterans had no health issues during their service, they’d learn the effects of asbestos exposure only when they are diagnosed with conditions stemming from it. Additionally, the mineral fibers can stick to skin, nails, hair or clothing, and those who worked in Florida’s naval shipyards may have carried the fibers home, exposing their family members to the dangerous mineral. Secondary or indirect asbestos exposure was also a risk for family members of those who served on military bases, which can be just as harmful as first-hand exposure to the toxic fibers.
Although decades have passed since the military exceedingly used asbestos, veterans who were in contact with it during service now have to fight for their health. Many must come to terms with the fact that their asbestos diseases will shorten their life.
Since Florida ranks second in the U.S. for deaths related to asbestos exposure, including mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer, veterans should consult the doctor urgently. Given that early detection can improve treatment outcomes and prolong life, they should be proactive about their health by:
• Scheduling medical examinations: Regular check-ups and an open discussion about military service and possible asbestos exposure are essential. Inhaled asbestos fibers initially injure the lungs, so veterans should take chest X-rays or CT scans and pulmonary function (breathing) tests. These tests help discover any damage caused by asbestos fibers and provide a reliable diagnosis for benign and malignant asbestos-related diseases.
• Learning about their legal rights: Veterans who know they’ve worked in an asbestos-contaminated environment during their service or who suspect they were exposed should know their rights and options. Legal avenues and compensation programs are available to help vets affected by asbestos exposure through asbestos trust funds and VA disability benefits.
Promoting awareness: Veterans can play a crucial role in educating and raising awareness by sharing their knowledge and experiences about asbestos exposure. By doing so, they can make sure that others who protected our nation are informed.
In addition to expressing our gratitude to veterans, we also have a responsibility to help protect their well-being. By shedding light on this still lurking danger, we can ensure that those who served receive the care and support they rightly deserve.
About the author
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: https://www.asbestos-ships.com/
