20 Places in the Military with Asbestos Exposure and How Veterans Are at Risk

20 Places in the Military with Asbestos Exposure and How Veterans Are at Risk

The brave men and women who selflessly put themselves in harm’s way while serving in our nation’s military were unaware that a hidden enemy lurked in nearly every setting, whether in battle, transport, or even their sleeping quarters. That enemy was asbestos, and while it didn’t cause immediate death, it slowly and quietly led to deadly asbestosis, mesothelioma, and asbestos lung cancer. Decades later, its relentless attack continues, and the death toll from military asbestos exposure continues to climb.

An estimated 40,000 veterans have died from asbestos exposure in the military, according to the Environmental Working Group, and those numbers are expected to grow as asbestos-related illnesses continue to develop over the course of 20, 30, 40, or more years after the initial exposure.

As many as 12,000 to 15,000 Americans die of asbestos-related illnesses yearly, including approximately 3,000 from mesothelioma alone. While veterans comprise just 8 percent of the U.S. population, they account for 30 percent of these deaths.

BA Marketing SolutionsDecember 13, 2024