Navy Welders and Asbestos Exposure

Military asbestos use wasn't out of the norm during the last century, but it was the Navy's requirement in the shipbuilding process that amplified the application of the hazardous material. It was declared a critical material given its fireproofing and insulating qualities, and shipbuilding companies and suppliers of asbestos products were happy to comply despite the mineral's well-documented health risks.

Equipment on Navy ships built before the 1980s had asbestos either packed inside it, sprayed on, or manufactured into the materials. For instance, external insulation on boilers contained about 15% asbestos. To make things worse, loose asbestos packing and gaskets were standard features in boiler rooms. Additionally, felt insulation containing 5% to 50% asbestos coated a sprawling network of pipes throughout the ships. The damaged coating was mended by service members with a mix of dry asbestos and water, exposing them to inhaling or ingesting toxic fibers while performing repairs.

Furthermore, during extensive maintenance, most naval personnel were not required to wear protective masks or wet down asbestos-containing materials before removing them. Disturbing asbestos created a dusty environment that was hazardous for everyone fulfilling the task. Since asbestos dust can linger in the air for hours, inhaling airborne asbestos fibers was a health risk for all personnel close to the repair site. The lack of enforcement of safety measures significantly enhanced the risk of asbestos exposure and developing illnesses stemming from it to those onboard, including welders.

Signs of diseases linked to asbestos exposure appear only decades after the initial contamination. By the time they are discovered, they have usually reached advanced stages, making their treatment difficult. The inhaled microscopic mineral threads embed in the vulnerable cells that line the lungs and organs in the abdomen, causing scarring that can eventually mutate into tumors that lead to asbestos cancers, such as:

• pharyngeal cancer
• colorectal cancer
• mesothelioma
• laryngeal cancer
• esophageal cancer
• urogenital cancer
• bronchial cancer
• lung cancer
• gastrointestinal cancer

Veterans diagnosed with these malignant diseases may be eligible to file claims and receive benefits if they have proof of exposure and their medical records document any of the cancers listed above.

Exposed to Asbestos in Shipyards and on Navy Ships

To "keep the boat afloat," all ship personnel were assigned duties in their work centers to ensure that myriad drains, valves, and other equipment were operational. Welders contributed considerably to ship maintenance, as they were often regarded as the handymen of the vessel. They were among those sailors who rarely saw direct combat below active war decks but instead worked skilled jobs instrumental to maintaining their ship.

Welders were stationed on every surface ship, from minesweepers to aircraft carriers, with Assault Craft Units, worked on tugboats, and had shore duty billets on bases. Onboard, minor and major repairs fell under their duty as they were required to:

• cut and weld metal
• fabricate sheet metal assemblies
• install metal systems and structures
• reinforce steel in concrete structures with asbestos
• rip off asbestos insulation
• repair safety systems on submarines
• perform emergency repairs
• tend to the ship's plumbing

Unfortunately, the products meant to protect welders posed a severe risk to their long-term health, as welding materials were made with asbestos till the beginning of the 1980s. Until asbestos use was discontinued, welders faced exposure risks from the asbestos fibers incorporated in:

• welding blankets
• aprons
• gloves

Welding is among the highest-risk occupations for asbestos exposure because it involves high heat to melt and shape the materials. Welding tools like rods or electrodes were coated with asbestos as a protective material due to the added strength and heat resistance. When an asbestos-coated welding rod touches metal, it breaks down the asbestos coating and generates smoke that contains asbestos fibers.

Moreover, the same thing happens if the material being welded contains asbestos. Welding generates airborne asbestos particles that welders and anybody nearby easily inhale or ingest. Additionally, welders often used grinders to smooth the welded joint, creating asbestos dust that settled on their clothing. In some cases, handling contaminated clothing caused family member's secondhand asbestos exposure.

Misdiagnosis May Lead to Critical Situations

Discovering asbestos-caused diseases in time is vital for efficiently treating them. However, correctly diagnosing an asbestos condition is a difficult task for most medical specialists, leading to frequent misdiagnosis cases. Because of the decades-long latency period, former service members are often diagnosed when their illness is in advanced stages, which considerably reduces the chances of receiving adequate help and timely care. Undergoing regular check-ups and chest X-rays or CT scans, along with pulmonary function tests, are all critical steps veterans should take to protect their well-being. These noninvasive procedures are also key to discovering non-cancerous diseases attributed to asbestos exposure, such as:

• pulmonary fibrosis
• asbestosis
• recurrent pneumonia
• emphysema
• rounded atelectasis
• chronic bronchitis
• pleural effusion
• pleural plaques
• pleural thickening
• COPD
• lung nodules and spots
• asthma

Although these diseases don't qualify former service members for compensation, they should be under continuous observation as they tend to develop into cancer. Only regular check-ups can uncover malignancies in their incipient phases, and a cancer diagnosis will make veterans eligible for claims.

Assisting Navy Veterans to Receive Their Rightful Compensation

Even if the Navy has worked intensely to remove existing asbestos from its ships, some harmful material remains on many vessels, exposing personnel to legacy asbestos - an explanatory definition of asbestos that remains in buildings, vehicles, infrastructure, and equipment from years ago. It is why military personnel in service between World War II and the early 1980s should schedule regular check-ups immediately when experiencing any of these symptoms:

• shortness of breath
• chest pain
• chest tightness
• wheezing
• dizziness
• fatigue
• unintentional weight loss
• persistent dry cough
• pain with inspiration
• respiratory system complications

Veterans diagnosed with cancer stemming from asbestos exposure during their service years may qualify for disability compensation if they have proof of their exposure. We can assist you by connecting you with expert asbestos attorneys ready to handle your case.