Exposure to asbestos may affect Nevada veterans even today

Cristina Johnson
Navy Veteran Advocate

The U.S. armed forces resorted to asbestos products throughout the last century as WWII demanded affordable materials for military equipment. Asbestos was abundant in the markets, was cheap and versatile, and became the material of choice for the military industry. All five branches used these durable products, putting many service members at risk of asbestos exposure, particularly veterans of the Second World War, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. The growing number of veterans’ toxic exposure cases underlines the health risks they assumed. 

Because asbestos was generally used, nobody considered asbestos dust a health threat. It is why developing asbestos diseases remains a concern for all veterans who might have asbestos fibers in their lungs, including those in Nevada’s veteran community, Moapa Valley’s veteran population. Out of all the military, the Navy used asbestos the most. Thus, personnel of naval vessels built before the 1980s were at a very high risk of asbestos exposure. This fact doesn’t diminish the exposure risks of those serving on military bases throughout Nevada. Toxic contaminants are health and environmental risks on military sites, and exposure to these dangerous substances is a severe issue that requires more attention and immediate action after discovery in most cases. Nevada hosts two Air Force bases and one Navy base, the NAS Fallon – the first military base that handles air-to-ground and air-to-air military operations. It has a wartime history of training grounds for ground and air sessions.

Veterans’ declining health after asbestos exposure

Asbestos breaks into microscopic particles when disturbed, forming dust that floats in the air for hours. It’s the white dust many veterans remember. These sharp-edged threads are easily inhaled or ingested and cause irreversible damage to the tissue of major organs. Given that asbestos diseases produce symptoms only after decades beyond the initial exposure, some veterans, despite their good health during service, come to face them only when diagnosed with severe illnesses linked to it, like mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer.

Those routinely in contact with asbestos while serving are now fighting for their health. Many of them must accept that their asbestos disease will shorten their lives, as today’s treatments can’t reverse the damage done by asbestos fibers. Existing medical procedures can only slow the progression, relieve symptoms, and prevent complications. With Nevada ranking 34th nationwide for deaths related to asbestos exposure, veterans should look after their health with regular check-ups. Early detection is crucial in asbestos-related diseases because it maximizes treatment results and prolongs life expectancy. That is why vets should be proactive in protecting their health by going to the doctor periodically and being open with doctors about military service and potential asbestos exposure. 

Inhaled asbestos fibers injure the lungs first; to help receive an exact diagnosis, veterans should get chest X-rays or CT scans and pulmonary function (breathing) tests to reveal any damage caused by the asbestos particles. These tests are also reliable in diagnosing benign and malignant asbestos conditions.

Veterans who know they’ve served in a contaminated environment or who suspect they’ve been exposed should know their rights and options. Compensation programs and legal avenues are available through asbestos trust funds and Veterans Affairs to help those affected by asbestos exposure, and veterans need to be informed about these resources.

PACT Act helps Nevada veterans and their families 

As of 2022, a new law known as the PACT Act is in place to improve health care and compensation for veterans exposed to toxic substances by extending eligibility for VA health care to vets exposed to harmful substances during active duty and providing them with the care and benefits they deserve.

Since the passage of the PACT Act, approximately six million veterans have been screened for toxic exposure, and more than 1.3 million veterans have been approved for expanded benefits, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs. In Nevada, over 23,000 veterans have filed PACT Act claims, and over 14,000 veterans received expanded benefits. Clay County veterans can consult more information by accessing https://www.va.gov/resources/the-pact-act-and-your-va-benefits/.

About the author:

Cristina Johnson is a Navy veteran advocate for Asbestos Ships Organization, a nonprofit whose primary mission is to raise awareness and educate veterans about the dangers of asbestos exposure on Navy ships and assist them in navigating the VA claims process. For more information, please visit our page at https://www.asbestos-ships.com/.