Asbestos Exposure in the Military

Introduction

Asbestos exposure in the military is not uncommon. Military personnel found their health jeopardized by simply performing everyday job tasks. For most veterans, exposure involved breathing in dust laced with asbestos fibers. ⁽¹⁾

For example, one of our clients was an Army mechanic. He was first exposed to asbestos through working on vehicle brake systems that involved installation, blowing out, and sanding.

Later in his career, our client worked as a boiler tender at a Navy shipyard. In this capacity, he removed, rebuilt, and installed boilers on ships. He repaired or replaced burner gaskets, worked on soot blowers, and cut block insulation and brick.

Diagnosed with mesothelioma in 2019, he turned to Weitz & Luxenberg for help. Our attorney legally went after the asbestos products manufacturers.

If you or a loved one are a veteran faced with an asbestos-related disease, W&L is here. We can help you evaluate your legal options and take the next steps to get any compensation you deserve.

What Are Asbestos and Mesothelioma?

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral fiber found in rocks and soil. It was used in all kinds of manufacturing and construction due to its strength and heat resistant qualities. ⁽²⁾ These same qualities made asbestos ideal for products with military applications — specifically heat resistance, fireproofing, and insulation. ⁽³⁾

A U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) information sheet explains, “Asbestos is most hazardous when it is friable. This means asbestos material that is easily crumbled by hand, thus releasing fibers into the air.” Airborne fibers can be inhaled. ⁽⁴⁾

Asbestos exposure can have serious health effects, including: ^{(5) (6)}

• Pleural plaques — The scarring of the pleural membrane lining the lungs.
• Asbestosis — This is serious and progressive scarring of the lung tissues that then become thick and stiffen.
• Cancer — It can cause lung, pharynx, larynx, stomach, ovary, colon, and rectal cancer.
• Mesothelioma — This cancer affect membranes covering the internal organs of your body.

The deadliest of these asbestos-related diseases is mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is incurable. ⁽⁷⁾

Notable symptoms of mesothelioma include: ⁽⁸⁾

• Chest pain.
• Cough.
• Shortness of breath or trouble breathing.
• Fatigue.
• Weight loss.

The sad truth about mesothelioma in the military is that 30% of the people diagnosed with mesothelioma in the U.S. are veterans. ⁽⁹⁾ Nearly 900 new cases are diagnosed each year. ⁽¹⁰⁾

A History of Asbestos Use on Military Bases

Initial asbestos exposure in the military came from using contaminated materials or products while on military bases — performing job tasks — during 1930-1980. Military usage of asbestos peaked during World War II. It continued through Vietnam and even into the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. ⁽¹¹⁾

Asbestos was not only strong and fire resistant, but also cheap — making its military applications even more attractive. ⁽¹²⁾ Military bases often found asbestos contained in the insulation, wallboard, piping, plumbing, sealers, and adhesives of the buildings. Asbestos could also be found in cement, roofing, and floor tiles. ⁽¹³⁾

Asbestos was used on planes. It was onboard ships such as cruisers, destroyers, aircraft carriers, and submarines. It was also used in transport vehicles. Asbestos could be found in sleeping quarters, pump rooms, boiler rooms, and mess halls — anywhere there was insulation. ⁽¹⁴⁾

Bans on the use of most types of asbestos began in 1989, due to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). However, all forms of asbestos were not completely banned until 2024. So, older military buildings, vehicles, ships, and equipment may still contain asbestos. ^{(15) (16)}

How Different Military Branches Were Affected by Asbestos Exposure

The VA notes members of all branches of the military had the potential to be exposed to asbestos if they worked in: ^{(17) (18)}

• Mining.
• Milling.
• Shipyards.
• Construction.
• Carpentry.
• Demolition.

Additionally, the VA acknowledges that personnel who worked with these products were likely exposed to asbestos:

• Flooring.
• Roofing.
• Cement sheet.
• Pipes.
• Insulation.
• Clutch facings and brake linings (friction products).

Even veterans who served in Iraq may have been exposed to asbestos when buildings were damaged. ⁽¹⁹⁾ While asbestos exposure impacts all branches of the military, it affects them differently.

Air Force

For Air Force personnel, asbestos exposure likely occurs on bases. Older buildings on base may be filled with asbestos-containing materials. ⁽²⁰⁾

Air Force planes may contain asbestos parts (heat shields, engine parts, and brake pads), putting mechanics at risk for exposure. Also, families are at risk of secondary exposure from any asbestos dust the mechanics bring home on their clothes. ⁽²¹⁾

Army

Army personnel were at risk of exposure on military bases due to asbestos materials in base buildings. These items include shingles, paper products, and floor and pipe coverings. ⁽²²⁾

Army vehicles contained asbestos parts, known as friction parts. Army mechanics had the job of replacing or repairing brake pads, clutches, and gaskets on transport and combat vehicles. ⁽²³⁾

Navy

“Navy veterans are the most likely of all military personnel to develop an asbestos-related disease,” according to the Purple Heart Foundation. The Navy made extensive use of asbestos insulation throughout ships because it does not break down in water. Ship builders and those repairing or performing maintenance were most likely to be exposed. ⁽²⁴⁾

Marine Corps.

Marine Corps veterans, like Navy veterans, were at great risk for exposure to asbestos. Marines were transported onboard ships. While onboard, Marines performed maintenance duties such as repairing gaskets or removing insulation. ⁽²⁵⁾

Coast Guard

Exposure to asbestos in the Coast Guard often came while working in shipyards or onboard vessels. Asbestos could be found in pump rooms, boiler rooms, sleeping quarters, and mess halls. Any fibers released onboard could travel throughout the ship. ⁽²⁶⁾

The Health Risks of Asbestos Exposure for Veterans and Military Personnel

The military and mesothelioma connection is well documented. Military personnel are at high risk of occupational exposure to asbestos. They experience higher than normal rates for asbestos-related diseases, such as mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma is terminal. It is often diagnosed later in life due to the lag time between exposure and the onset of symptoms. ⁽²⁷⁾ Most people diagnosed with the disease do not live more than 18 months after diagnosis. ⁽²⁸⁾ Symptoms of mesothelioma can take 20 to 50 years to present after exposure. ⁽²⁹⁾

People who receive an asbestos-related diagnosis — especially mesothelioma military personnel — endure more than just the physical impact of the disease. Mesothelioma military vets and their families endure an emotional toll as well.

You must fight the disease, face financial concerns, and make decisions about the future well-being of your family. It is a tremendous burden at a time when your resilience is low.

But, you do not have to face it alone. Get the legal guidance and support of recognized professionals — such as the attorneys at W&L. With us, you can be confident of obtaining justice in spite of any struggles you face.

How Weitz & Luxenberg Can Help Veterans and Military Personnel

Since our founding as a law firm, Weitz & Luxenberg has been helping military personnel, veterans, and their families win asbestos exposure cases. Our attorneys can help you pursue financial compensation for your health issues, including mesothelioma.

We hold companies accountable for the harm their products have done to you and for their callous disregard for the lives of members of our military community. Find out more about your legal options.

Get the Justice You Deserve: Contact Us for Legal Assistance

Veterans are facing asbestos-related diseases. This is the result of exposure to asbestos through products the manufacturers knew were toxic and harmful to humans. The actions of these companies are reprehensible. They allowed greed and negligence to take precedence over concern for the health and safety of the military community.

W&L attorneys are committed to the pursuit of justice. With an entire team of attorneys focused on asbestos litigation, we have the resources and dedication to hold these companies responsible. We can fight your legal battle while you focus on your health.

Our attorneys are compassionate and experienced. Our firm has a winning reputation in asbestos litigation. We have won $26 billion in verdicts and settlements for our clients. Many of them are veterans, just like you.

Don’t wait. Contact us by calling (917) LAWYERS, or filling out the form on this page, if you got sick from military asbestos exposure. An attorney can respond quickly, and there is no charge for your initial consultation.

Updated July 2025