Since 07-30-08
Mesothelioma - A Veteran's Issue, an American Issue
Since 07-30-08
Veterans are affected by many health conditions, with some more obvious than others. For instance, there has been a great deal of time and research spent on post-traumatic stress disorder (and rightfully so), while very little resources have been dedicated to less common ailments. Mesothelioma is one such health condition that very few people are aware of. Perhaps because it is so rare, it doesn’t receive the publicity and funding that other health complications may. Nevertheless, the public and veterans should be aware of this very real disease that affects thousands of Americans each year, many of them former members of the United States military.
Mesothelioma is a malignant cancer that affects the lining of the body’s internal organs. The only known cause of mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. Veterans are more susceptible to mesothelioma because they often found themselves in positions where asbestos exposures were common.
Where are veterans exposed to asbestos? While asbestos is classified as a toxin today, up until the late 1970’s, asbestos was used extensively in construction materials. Veterans were often exposed because these materials were common in naval ships, shipyards, and submarines. Asbestos was used as an insulation material, because it was a durable and resistant to heat transfer. Military installations were constructed with combat in mind, making these qualities highly important in a myriad of military infrastructure.
Navy ships and submarines were the most common exposure points. Asbestos was used in floor and ceiling tiles, pipe coverings, electrical insulation, and many other materials. In submarines, asbestos was used within the hull construction to insulate the vessel’s crew and components. When these materials are damaged or age, they can release the harmful asbestos fibers into the air supply, leaving those in the vicinity susceptible to inhalation.
There has been an increased incidence in recent years of mesothelioma among naval and other veterans. When asbestos is inhaled, it easily lodges inside the lining of the lungs, causing a sustained inflammation of internal tissue. Over time, this inflammation can lay the groundwork inside the body for mesothelioma and other respiratory complications. Those who believe they may have been exposed to asbestos should discuss their exposure history with a thoracic specialist or physician in a related field.