By Cristina Johnson

Contributed

 

The U.S. Armed Forces resorted to asbestos-containing products throughout the last century, especially when WWII demanded accessible materials to mass-produce military equipment.

It is why, decades after their service ended, thousands of American veterans now battle an invisible enemy that was hiding on Navy ships, in the walls of their barracks, the pipes above their bunks, and the equipment they maintained. The numbers are staggering: each year, approximately 3,000 Americans are diagnosed with mesothelioma, a devastating cancer caused by asbestos exposure, with nearly one-third of these cases affecting those who wore our nation’s uniform.

Military asbestos exposure affected thousands, especially veterans of the Second World War, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, adding to the growing number of toxic exposure cases among our veterans today and underlining the health risks they unknowingly assumed.

The fibrous mineral was a fixture in the industry branches, and nobody considered asbestos dust a health threat. This is why the risk of developing asbestos diseases remains a concern for all veterans who might have asbestos fibers in their lungs, including those in the Lafayette County and Oxford veteran communities.

Although all the military applied asbestos, the Navy exploited it the most. Thus, personnel onboard naval vessels built before the 1980s were at an exceptionally high risk of asbestos exposure.

Even so, this fact doesn’t diminish the asbestos exposure risks of those serving in military camps throughout the U.S. Toxic contaminants represent health and environmental risks on military sites, and exposure to these hazardous substances is a severe issue requiring more attention, investigation, and, in most cases, immediate action after discovery.

Mississippi is home to Keesler AFB, the most extensive base in the state, with roots reaching back to WWII, training facilities in multiple fields for more than 7000 troops stationed at the base, looking forward to entering the war. Another crucial wartime facility is NCBC Gulfport, the building arm of the U.S. Navy, an essential part of this military branch throughout World War II and the Vietnam War.

Veterans worked and lived near asbestos materials while in the military, unaware of the health risks of inhaling or ingesting asbestos dust. Many of them recall the white dust covering everything in their quarters. Though particulate matter is a common occurrence, airborne asbestos fibers are extremely hazardous: the sharp-edged microscopic threads cause permanent damage to the tissue of organs and generate life-altering diseases decades after the initial exposure.

While veterans may not have experienced health issues during their service, some of them have to deal with the effects of asbestos exposure when they are diagnosed with illnesses linked to it, like mesothelioma, asbestosis, or lung cancer.

Many must accept that their asbestos disease will shorten their lives, as no existing treatment can reverse the damage done by asbestos. Today’s medical procedures can only slow the progression, relieve symptoms, and prevent complications.

With Mississippi ranking 22nd in the U.S. for asbestosis deaths, veterans should undergo periodic check-ups to monitor their health. Timely detection is crucial in asbestos-related diseases because it considerably improves treatment results and prolongs life expectancy.

Going to regular health check-ups and being forthcoming with doctors about military service and potential asbestos exposure are vital steps.

Inhaled asbestos fibers affect the lungs first, so veterans should undergo chest X-rays or CT scans and pulmonary function (breathing) tests. These noninvasive tests reveal any injury caused by the asbestos fibers and are reliable in diagnosing benign and malignant asbestos conditions.

Veterans who know they’ve served in an asbestos-contaminated environment or those who suspect they’ve been exposed during the military years should know their rights and options.

Compensation programs and legal avenues are available through asbestos trust funds and Veterans Affairs to help those harmed by asbestos exposure, and veterans need to be informed about these resources.

In 2022, the 117th U.S. Congress enacted the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022, known as the PACT Act.

Thanks to this new law, approximately 3.5 million toxic-exposed veterans will be eligible for extended V.A. benefits.

Since the passage of the PACT Act, over 6 million veterans have been screened for toxic exposure, and more than 1.4 million veterans have been approved for benefits.

In Mississippi, approximately 11,000 veterans have filed PACT Act claims, and over 2,800 veterans received expanded benefits.

Mississippi veterans can consult more information by accessing https://www.msva.ms.gov/state-benefits.