Mesothelioma is a rare but deadly form of cancer caused by
exposure to asbestos. Since symptoms of mesothelioma often don't appear for 20
to 50 years, many people are just now being diagnosed with it. Primarily at
risk are people who were employed in occupations with high levels of asbestos
exposure, including many US veterans.
Mesothelioma is a cancer of the mesothelium, a thin layer of protective tissue that covers most internal organs. The most common area to develop mesothelioma is in the pleura, the thin lining surrounding the lungs. Other areas sometimes affected by mesothelioma include the around the abdomen, heart and testicles.
Mesothelioma is caused by inhaling asbestos dust and fibers from the air. These fibers stick to the mucus in the throat and lungs, travel down the lung's small airways, and become lodged in the lining of the lungs and chest.
The federal government began regulating asbestos in the mid 1970s. Before that, asbestos was used extensively in the construction of a wide variety of products. Because it acted as a fire retardant, it was widely used as insulation. Its fiber strength and affordability added to its popularity.
Asbestos use dramatically increased during World War II. US Veterans were involved in many occupations with direct and extended asbestos exposure.
US Navy personnel were particularly at risk because asbestos was highly used in shipyards and shipbuilding, including in aircraft carriers, submarines, battleships and warships. Asbestos helped to protect against the heat given off by diesel engines and to avoid onboard fires.
Asbestos was used in ships to line the boilers, wrap steam pipes and cover turbine and engine parts. Virtually no part of the ship was risk-free, as asbestos was used in sleeping quarters and mess halls as well as boiler rooms, and in products such as valves, gaskets, cements, adhesives, sealants and floor and pipe coverings.
Similarly, although to a lesser degree, military workers involved in aircraft mechanics or manufacturing may have been exposed to flight materials containing asbestos.
Other areas of the armed services were at risk as well. According to the US Department of Veterans Affairs, veterans who served in any of a number of occupations may have been exposed to asbestos. These include carpentry, construction, insulation work, mining, milling, demolition of old buildings and manufacturing or installation of products such as roofing and flooring. Even the military's barracks and mess halls were built with asbestos.
Many veterans were exposed to asbestos on the ground in places like Iraq where large numbers of older buildings were demolished. These buildings had been originally constructed with asbestos. When demolished, the contaminant was released into the air only to be breathed by those in the surrounding area.
The Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry lists military personnel as one of the top populations exposed to asbestos. Those serving in the armed forces are at an increased risk of contracting the serious diseases associated with inhaling or ingesting asbestos, including mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma is a cancer of the mesothelium, a thin layer of protective tissue that covers most internal organs. The most common area to develop mesothelioma is in the pleura, the thin lining surrounding the lungs. Other areas sometimes affected by mesothelioma include the around the abdomen, heart and testicles.
Mesothelioma is caused by inhaling asbestos dust and fibers from the air. These fibers stick to the mucus in the throat and lungs, travel down the lung's small airways, and become lodged in the lining of the lungs and chest.
The federal government began regulating asbestos in the mid 1970s. Before that, asbestos was used extensively in the construction of a wide variety of products. Because it acted as a fire retardant, it was widely used as insulation. Its fiber strength and affordability added to its popularity.
Asbestos use dramatically increased during World War II. US Veterans were involved in many occupations with direct and extended asbestos exposure.
US Navy personnel were particularly at risk because asbestos was highly used in shipyards and shipbuilding, including in aircraft carriers, submarines, battleships and warships. Asbestos helped to protect against the heat given off by diesel engines and to avoid onboard fires.
Asbestos was used in ships to line the boilers, wrap steam pipes and cover turbine and engine parts. Virtually no part of the ship was risk-free, as asbestos was used in sleeping quarters and mess halls as well as boiler rooms, and in products such as valves, gaskets, cements, adhesives, sealants and floor and pipe coverings.
Similarly, although to a lesser degree, military workers involved in aircraft mechanics or manufacturing may have been exposed to flight materials containing asbestos.
Other areas of the armed services were at risk as well. According to the US Department of Veterans Affairs, veterans who served in any of a number of occupations may have been exposed to asbestos. These include carpentry, construction, insulation work, mining, milling, demolition of old buildings and manufacturing or installation of products such as roofing and flooring. Even the military's barracks and mess halls were built with asbestos.
Many veterans were exposed to asbestos on the ground in places like Iraq where large numbers of older buildings were demolished. These buildings had been originally constructed with asbestos. When demolished, the contaminant was released into the air only to be breathed by those in the surrounding area.
The Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry lists military personnel as one of the top populations exposed to asbestos. Those serving in the armed forces are at an increased risk of contracting the serious diseases associated with inhaling or ingesting asbestos, including mesothelioma.
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