Guest column: State's veterans fight new foe - asbestos
During the last century, asbestos use was prevalent in the U.S. military, particularly during World War II, when the war effort demanded materials at accessible prices for producing equipment quickly and in large quantities. Asbestos flooded the markets, and manufacturers wanted to profit the most from its utility and low cost, ignoring the health risks of mixing asbestos in products.
Although the Navy exploited asbestos the most, putting naval personnel at an exceptionally high risk of asbestos exposure, this doesn’t exclude other military bases from being a potential source of asbestos contamination. Moreover, with asbestos products found in military property like vehicles, tools, barracks, aircraft and ships, service members risked asbestos exposure whenever they fulfilled duty on land, sea or air.
In addition to being exposed to several hazardous materials, working near asbestos may have been an added risk to Massachusetts veterans’ deteriorating health, as diseases linked to their toxic exposure are on the rise today. The issue concerns Massachusetts’ veteran population, and Worcester’s veteran community.
Worcester’s World War II history is reflected by the numerous memorial squares and landmarks located throughout the city in honor of the men and women who served our country. Massachusetts’ World War II military past includes Hanscom Air Force Base, the former Bedford Army Air Field, which hosted hundreds of planes and U.S. Army Air Corps pilots throughout World War II. The state is also home to Westover Air Force Base, a training field for professional troops during the war.
Airborne asbestos particles can float in the air for hours when disturbed and are easily inhaled or ingested due to their microscopic size. It’s the white dust many veterans of the Second World War, the Korean War and the Vietnam War remember. Asbestos dust is one of the most toxic substances humans have encountered, as the tiny, sharp-edged mineral threads cause permanent damage to 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 learn the effects of asbestos exposure only when they are diagnosed with illnesses stemming from it, like asbestosis, mesothelioma, lung cancer or other severe respiratory diseases.
Even though decades have passed since the military used asbestos, veterans who were in contact with it during service now have to fight for their health. Many must accept the fact that their asbestos diseases will shorten their life.
With Massachusetts ranking 11th in the U.S. for asbestos-related deaths, veterans should consult the doctor urgently. Early detection considerably improves treatment results and prolongs life expectancy, so former service members should proactively protect their health through:
Regularmedical examinations. In addition to checkups, openly discussing military service and possible asbestos exposure is crucial. Inhaled asbestos fibers injure the lungs first, so vets should request chest X-rays, CT scans and pulmonary function (breathing) tests. These tests can show any injury caused by the asbestos fibers and are reliable in diagnosing benign and malignant asbestos-related diseases.
Learning about their legal rights. Veterans who know they’ve worked in an asbestos-contaminated environment during service, or those who suspect they’ve been exposed, should understand their rights and options. Legal avenues and compensation programs are in place to help vets harmed by asbestos exposure through asbestos trust funds and Veterans Affairs.
Promoting awareness. Former service members can play a crucial role in raising awareness by sharing their knowledge about asbestos exposure with their communities. By being open about their experiences, they can make sure that others who protected our country are informed.
In addition to expressing our gratitude to veterans, we also have a responsibility to help protect their well-being. Awareness of asbestos exposure is a crucial part of this responsibility. By informing about this still-lurking hazard, we can make sure that those who served receive the care and support they rightly deserve.
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.
This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Massachusetts veterans fight new foe - asbestos
