Navy veterans battling the silent legacy of asbestos exposure By Cristina Johnson Asbestos exposure remains an ongoing concern for Navy veterans who served on ships built from the 1930s to the early 1980s. Every branch of the U.S. Military used for decades products made with asbestos, but Navy veterans were at an exceptionally high risk of asbestos exposure. A celebrated building material of the 20th century, asbestos was a staple in shipbuilding due to its exceptional heat resistance and insulating properties. With WWII’s increasing demand for naval vessels, the need for an all-purpose material emerged, and asbestos fit the bill. It led to Navy veterans working and living close to asbestos-containing items over the years of duty. Permanent health damages due to asbestos exposure Asbestos releases microscopic particles in the air when disturbed and poses the immediate threat of inhaling or ingesting them. Once in the body, the tiny toxic fibers cause incapacitating conditions in the long term after lodging in the body’s tissues, primarily in the lungs. Because diseases related to asbestos exposure have decades-long latency periods, Navy veterans exposed to asbestos during duty may only now be experiencing devastating outcomes. Asbestos diseases are complex and, therefore, often misdiagnosed, as their symptoms are similar to common acute respiratory affections, so veterans should pay extra attention to any change in their health condition. An exact diagnosis is vital for accessing the best suitable treatment, so asking for a second doctor’s opinion is advisable, and some cases may also require a pulmonary specialist’s evaluation. 26
WWW.HomelandMagazine.com / December 2023
Mark H., a former boilerman from the USS Duluth, remembers:“ Everything inside the bilges we scrapped was white and powdery. We didn’t pay attention back then. I had a problem breathing for years and coughed most of the time. And then the doctor told me I had spots on my lungs.” It’s a common perception that, with aging, diseases inevitably occur, and it’s also the pitfall of many cases when an incapacitating illness could have been detected early. Although asbestos-related conditions have no cure, they are efficiently manageable in their incipient phases. As timely treatment considerably enhances life expectancy, ignoring the symptoms will waste precious time. Thus, scheduling a general wellness check might be the best gift this holiday season. Dean T., former fireman on the USS Joseph Strauss, remembers: “ We had to cut asbestos insulation off the piping when we secured a small fire. All our clothing was white from the dust that filled the room. I’m sure we were exposed to this dangerous stuff. I have congestion in my chest now and black spots across my lungs. I find it hard to breathe.” Wintertime aggravates asbestos respiratory diseases like COPD During cold season, respiratory affections tend to exacerbate, so taking measures to prevent virus or other pathogen infections is always a good idea. Those suffering from asbestos-related diseases like asthma, COPD, or chronic bronchitis may experience sudden flare-ups during this period, further aggravating their already burdening conditions. According to data from the CDC, the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) increases hospitalization cases each year, and variants of COVID-19