By Cristina Johnson
For the Times
During the last century, asbestos use prevailed in the U.S. armed forces, as the WWII war effort demanded materials with accessible prices for military equipment production in large quantities and in a short time.
Asbestos abounded the markets, dominating all industry branches, and manufacturers wanted to profit the most from its versatility and low price. They even hid medical evidence of health risks from incorporating asbestos into products that insulated military property like aircraft, vehicles, engine rooms, sleeping barracks, mess halls, ships, and shipyards. Consequently, military personnel were, unbeknownst to them, at risk of asbestos exposure whenever fulfilling duty on land, sea, or air.
The growing number of toxic exposure cases among veterans today reflects the many unseen health hazards they faced during service, among them asbestos exposure. The aftermath of having been affected by the toxic asbestos fibers may threaten many veterans’ health now as they enter a stage of life where keeping healthy might be a challenge.
Significant amounts of asbestos in bases throughout the state
Every military branch benefited from the fibrous mineral’s fire-resistant and insulating properties, and nobody considered inhaling asbestos dust a health risk. This is why developing asbestos diseases is a concern for all veterans who might have the toxic fibers in their lungs, including those in Wisconsin’s veteran community, Green County’s, and Monroe City’s veteran population.
Of all armed forces branches, the Navy exploited it the most, putting service members onboard naval vessels built before the 1980s at an exceptionally high risk of asbestos exposure. However, this fact doesn’t diminish the asbestos exposure risks of personnel serving in military bases nationwide. Wisconsin is home to Fort McCoy, which has a history dating back to 1909, and it’s the only base in the U.S. that provides Total Force Training. During World War II, the fort was one of the country’s top training camps and hosted a vast prison for the prisoners of war.
The impact of asbestos exposure on veterans’ health
During the military years, veterans worked and lived near asbestos-containing materials, mostly unaware of the danger they represented. It led to thousands of veterans developing asbestos-related diseases decades later. Asbestos can float in the air for hours due to the structure and size of its fibers. Asbestos fibers are microscopic particles and are easy to inhale or ingest, making asbestos dust one of the most toxic substances humans have ever encountered. Once inside the body, these tiny sharp threads cause permanent injury, primarily to the lungs, and lead to devastating diseases.
Asbestos-related illnesses are difficult to detect because of their decades-long latency period between exposure and the first symptoms. It means that even if veterans may have had no health issues during their service, some of them experience the effects of asbestos exposure only over time when they are diagnosed with conditions stemming from it, like mesothelioma, asbestosis, lung cancer, or other severe respiratory diseases. According to the CDC, the mesothelioma death rate in Wisconsin is 11.4 per million people, which is significantly higher than the national average.
Veterans’ continuous struggle after asbestos exposure
Even though many years have passed since the military overly used asbestos, veterans who were in contact with the mineral during their military service now have to fight for their health. Many must deal with the stark reality that their asbestos condition will shorten their lives, as no existing treatment can reverse the damage done by asbestos. Today’s medical procedures can only slow the progression, relieve symptoms, and prevent complications.
With Wisconsin ranking 28th in the country for the rate of new lung cancer cases and 16th highest nationally for deaths related to asbestos exposure, veterans should act immediately and request an appointment with their doctor. Timely detection is crucial when dealing with asbestos-related diseases because it considerably improves treatment results and prolongs life expectancy. That is why former service members should proactively protect their health through periodic health check-ups, learn their legal rights, and promote awareness.
Scheduling regular check-ups and, while there, being upfront with the medical specialist about military service and potential asbestos exposure are all essential steps. Inhaled asbestos fibers damage the lungs first, so veterans should undergo chest X-rays or CT scans and pulmonary function (breathing) tests. These noninvasive tests show any injury caused by the asbestos fibers and are reliable in diagnosing benign and malignant asbestos conditions.
Veterans who know they’ve worked in a contaminated environment or those who suspect they’ve been exposed to asbestos during service should know their rights and options. Compensation programs and legal avenues are available through asbestos trust funds and Veterans Affairs to help those affected by asbestos exposure, and veterans need to be informed about these resources.
Vets can be crucial in bringing awareness by sharing their knowledge about asbestos exposure risks with their communities and fellow servicemen and women. Opening up about their experiences can facilitate passing vital information to others who fought for our country.
Additional help for Wisconsin veterans and their families through the PACT Act
In 2022, the 17th U.S. Congress enacted the PACT Act. The new law aimed to improve health care and compensations for veterans exposed to toxic substances and was also supported by Wisconsin Senator Tammy Baldwin. The Act extends eligibility for V.A. health care for retired military members exposed to harmful substances during active duty and provides veterans with the care and benefits they deserve.
Because of this new law, approximately 3.5 million toxic-exposed veterans will be eligible for extended V.A. benefits. Since the passage of the PACT Act, over four million veterans have been screened for toxic exposure, and nearly 350,000 US citizens have been approved for expanded benefits. In Wisconsin, approximately 15,000 veterans have filed PACT Act claims, and over 6,600 veterans received expanded benefits.
— 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, visit https://www.asbestos-ships.com/.