A senior chief cryptologic technician pipes during the Navy Reserve Center change of command ceremony at U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum, Colorado Springs, Aug. 13, 2022. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Gilbert Bolibol)
During the last century, the U.S. military resorted to asbestos when the World War II war effort demanded accessible materials to mass-produce equipment. Manufacturers wanted to profit from the fibrous mineral, hiding evidence of the health risk emerging from mixing asbestos in products for military properties such as aircraft, vehicles, ships and barracks. Out of all branches, the Navy exploited asbestos the most, putting naval personnel serving on ships built before the 1980s at a high risk of asbestos exposure. However, this fact doesn’t exclude other military bases from being a potential source of asbestos exposure.
The growing number of toxic exposure cases among veterans today reflects the many health risks they faced during service, including asbestos exposure. The consequences of inhaling or ingesting asbestos fibers may threaten many veterans’ health now, especially those who served in the Second World War and the Korean and Vietnam wars. In addition to the hazard of being around various toxic materials, working near asbestos products may have been an added risk to Colorado veterans’ deteriorating health , as diseases caused by toxic exposure are on the rise today. The issue regards Colorado’s veteran population and Denver’s veteran community.
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Colorado is home to six major military installations, including the Air Force Academy, with its 1958 residence in the former Lowry Air Force Base in Denver. The Academy’s first cadet wing consisted of 1,145 students, future airmen of the United States. Another important installation with wartime history is Peterson Space Force Base, set up in 1942 as a response to the hostilities in Europe and to increase its power with multiple military bases all over the country.
Asbestos exposure has a devastating effect on veterans’ health
Due to their microscopic size and fibrous structure, airborne asbestos particles can float in the air for hours when disturbed. It’s the white dust many veterans remember. The sharp-edged mineral threads are easily inhaled or ingested, making asbestos dust one of the most toxic substances humans have encountered. Once inside the body, these tiny fibers permanently injure major organs, leading to severe diseases.
Asbestos-related illnesses have decades-long latency periods until the first symptoms appear. Even if veterans may have had no health problems during their service, some of them experience the effects of asbestos exposure only over time when they are diagnosed with illnesses stemming from it, like mesothelioma , asbestosis , lung cancer , or other respiratory conditions.
Veterans’ fight for health after asbestos exposure
Although decades have passed since asbestos was used in the military, veterans who were in contact with it during service now have to fight for their health . Many must accept that their asbestos diseases 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 Colorado ranking 31st in the U.S. for asbestos-related deaths, veterans should see their doctor regularly. Timely detection is essential in asbestos-related diseases, because it considerably improves treatment results and prolongs life expectancy. That is why vets should proactively protect their health through check-ups, learn their legal rights, and promote awareness.
Going to check-ups periodically and, while there, being upfront with the doctor about military service and potential asbestos exposure are crucial steps. Inhaled asbestos fibers damage the lungs first, so veterans should schedule chest X-rays or CT scans and pulmonary function (breathing) tests. These noninvasive investigations are also 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 harmed by asbestos exposure, and veterans need to be informed about these resources.
Former service members can be crucial in raising awareness by sharing their knowledge about asbestos exposure risks with their fellow servicemen and women. Opening up about their experiences can facilitate passing vital information to others who fought for our country.
Additional help for Colorado veterans and their families through the PACT Act
In 2022, the 17th U.S. Congress enacted the PACT Act, a new law to improve health care and compensation for veterans exposed to toxins. The Act extends eligibility for VA 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 veterans exposed to various toxins will be eligible for extended VA benefits, and U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper of Colorado supported it. Since the passage of the PACT Act , over four million veterans have been screened for toxic exposure, and nearly 350,000 U.S. citizens have been approved for expanded benefits. Approximately 16,000 veterans have filed PACT Act claims in Colorado, and over 8,000 veterans received expanded benefits.
Colorado veterans can consult information on the Colorado Department of Revenue website .
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