The U.S. military resorted to asbestos-containing products throughout the last century as WWII demanded accessible materials for military equipment. Asbestos was abundant in the markets and became the material of choice for the military industry. All five branches of the armed forces used these durable products due to their fair price. It resulted in many service members being exposed to asbestos, especially veterans of the Second World War, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. The growing number of toxic exposure cases among our veterans today under-lines the health risks they assumed, in addition to the challenges of service. Many of them now have fragile health and may have to deal with severe asbestos diseases linked to their military years.
Asbestos contaminated most military bases throughout the state
Asbestos’s heat and corrosion resistance was favored in all industries, including the military, and nobody considered asbestos dust a health threat. It is why the risk of developing asbestos dis-eases remains a concern for all veterans who might have asbestos fibers in their lungs, including those in Oregon’s veteran community and Curry County’s veteran population. Although all the military applied asbestos, the Navy exploited it the most. Thus, personnel onboard naval vessels built before the 1980s were at an exceptionally high risk of asbestos exposure. Even so, this fact doesn’t diminish the asbestos exposure risks of those serving in military camps throughout the U.S. Toxic contaminants represent health and environmental risks on military sites, and expo-sure to these hazardous substances is a severe issue requiring more attention, investigation, and, in most cases, immediate action after discovery. Oregon’s WWII history includes Fort Stevens, Camp Clatsop, the Tongue Point naval station, and Swan Island Shipyard, all part of the numerous military facilities Oregon hosted during the war. The state is home to Na-val Base Newport, a significant U.S. Navy training and research center and one of the Navy’s oldest bases, which served as the which served as the central location for training and education in the Pacific Northwest of the U.S. Another important installation is Portland Air National Guard Base, hosting the 142nd Fighter Wing of the Oregon Air National Guard, which provides air defense for the Pacific Northwest region.
Asbestos exposure
behind veterans’ deteriorating health
Veterans worked and lived near asbestos materials while in the military, unaware of the danger they represented. Asbestos breaks into microscopic particles if disturbed, forming dust that lingers in the air for hours. It’s the white dust many veterans remember. These sharp-edged microscopic asbestos threads are easy to inhale or ingest, and once inside the body, they cause permanent damage to the tissue of major organs and generate life-altering diseases.
One of the most terrible aspects of asbestos-related illnesses is the decades-long latency period between the initial exposure and the first symptoms. By the time signs of an asbestos disease appear, the condition has already reached an advanced stage. While veterans may not have experienced health issues during their service, some of them have to deal with the effects of asbestos exposure when they are diagnosed with illnesses linked to it, like mesothelioma, asbestosis, lung cancer, or other severe respiratory conditions.
The ongoing struggle
for well-being after asbestos exposure
Although many years have passed since the U.S. military used asbestos, veterans who were in contact with it during their service now have to fight for their health. Many must accept that their asbestos disease 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 Oregon ranking 22nd in the U.S. for asbestos-related deaths, veterans should schedule periodic check-ups to monitor their health. Timely detection is crucial in 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.
Going to regular health check-ups and, while there, being forthcoming with doctors about military service and potential asbestos exposure are vital steps. Inhaled asbestos fibers affect the lungs first, so veterans should undergo chest X-rays or CT scans and pulmonary function (breathing) tests. These noninvasive tests reveal any injury caused by the asbestos fibers and are reliable in diagnosing benign and malignant asbestos conditions.
Veterans who know they’ve served in an asbestos-contaminated environment or those who suspect they’ve been exposed during the military years 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 help raise awareness by sharing their knowledge about asbestos exposure risks. Openly speaking about their experiences can facilitate passing vital information to others who fought for our country.
PACT Act helps Maryland veterans and their families
In 2022, the 117th U.S. Congress enacted The Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022, known as the PACT Act. The new law aimed to improve health care and compensations for veterans exposed to toxic substances and was also supported by Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley. 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.
Thanks to this new law, approximately 3.5 million toxic-exposed veterans will be eligible for ex-tended V.A. benefits. Since the passage of the PACT Act, over 4 million veterans have been screened for toxic exposure, and nearly 350,000 US citizens have been approved for expanded benefits. In Oregon, approximately 9,000 veterans have filed PACT Act claims, and over 3,000 veterans received expanded benefits. Oregon veterans can consult more information by accessing https://www.oregon.gov/odva.
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 in-formation, please visit our page.
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