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Over the last century, as the World War II war effort required large quantities of affordable materials to produce military equipment, the United States military overly used asbestos. The mineral was abundant in the markets, and manufacturers wanted to take advantage of its versatility and low price, ignoring the health risks associated with mixing asbestos in products.

The Navy exploited asbestos the most. The Two-Ocean Navy Act expanded the U.S. Naval Forces by more than 70% in preparation for the states’ entry into the Second World War, and shipbuilding picked up the pace by applying asbestos insulation wherever possible. It put naval personnel at an outstandingly high risk of asbestos exposure and developing severe asbestos diseases decades after service.

Asbestos was praised for its insulating and fire-resistant properties, and nobody considered it a health threat when various high-impact activities disturbed the fibrous mineral and generated asbestos dust. That’s why developing asbestos diseases concerns all former service members who might have the toxic fibers in their lungs, including and .

Given that the military resorted to asbestos mainly for insulation in their aircraft, vehicles and barracks, it increased the risk of asbestos exposure for personnel serving in military camps throughout the U.S.

Additionally to working with several hazardous materials, asbestos products may also have been a risk to Hawaii veterans’ , as diseases linked to their toxic exposure are on the rise today.

Hawaii , at least one from every branch of the armed forces, most of which played an essential role in World War II.  is the poster child of Hawaii’s wartime past. It houses the headquarters of the U.S. Pacific Fleet and is one of the world’s largest naval bases.

Prolonged Exposure

Once airborne, asbestos particles can remain suspended in the air for hours. Thanks to their microscopic size, they can be easily inhaled or ingested, making asbestos dust one of the most toxic substances humans have ever encountered. The sharp-edged tiny threads cause permanent damage to major organs and lead to devastating diseases.

One of the most horrible aspects of asbestos conditions is the decades-long latency period between exposure and the first symptoms. Even if veterans had no health issues during their service, they learn the effects of asbestos exposure only when diagnosed with illnesses stemming from it, like , , or other severe respiratory diseases.

With Hawaii  for asbestos-related deaths, veterans should seek medical attention urgently. Early detection is crucial with asbestos-related affections, as it significantly improves treatment outcomes and extends life expectancy.

Unfortunately, no treatment can reverse the damage done by asbestos. Today’s medical procedures can only focus on slowing the progression, relieving symptoms, and preventing complications. That is why veterans should proactively protect their health through regular health checkups, learn about their legal rights and promote awareness.

Attending regular health checkups and, while there, openly speaking about military service and possible asbestos exposure are all essential steps. Inhaled asbestos fibers injure the lungs first, so veterans should request chest X-rays or CT scans and pulmonary function (breathing) tests. These tests reveal damages caused by the asbestos fibers and are reliable in diagnosing benign and malignant asbestos illnesses.

Veterans who know they’ve worked in an asbestos-contaminated environment or those who suspect they’ve been exposed during their military years should know their rights and options. Legal avenues and compensation programs are available to help them through and .

Former service members can raise awareness by sharing their knowledge about asbestos exposure. By being open about their experiences, they can make sure others who protected our country are informed.

Besides expressing our gratitude to vets for their service, we also have a responsibility to help protect their well-being. Raising awareness of asbestos exposure is an integral part of this responsibility. By sharing information about this still-lurking danger, we can ensure that those who have served benefit from the care and support they rightly deserve.