The military's use of asbestos in the last Century is now common knowledge, but it wasn't always the case. Wartime didn't allow for dwelling on all the consequences of using various materials in expanding the Navy's fleet at a breakneck speed.
Shipbuilding picked up the pace and used asbestos insulation wherever possible in ships and submarines, laying the groundwork for generations of service members' asbestos exposure. In submarines, insulation is critical for ensuring safety, providing thermal control, and reducing noise; asbestos met all these requirements.
Consequently, in vessels built before the 1980s, asbestos insulation was used for fire prevention, to protect equipment from extreme temperatures and moisture, and to create a more habitable environment for the crew by minimizing loud engine and vibration noises. These are all essential for a ship that must operate for long periods in a harsh and high-pressure environment.Submarine personnel serve in confined spaces, and for decades, they fulfilled their duty unaware of the health risks associated with airborne microscopic asbestos fibers. Even if those working in high-temperature areas, such as engine rooms, boilers, and pipes, were at a higher exposure risk, everyone onboard could inhale or ingest the tiny toxic threads, including radiomen.
Submarine radio communication faced numerous hurdles since its inception near the turn of the 20th Century. By the end of the 1920s, improvements in equipment and training were progressing at a rapid rate. By the 1930s, the Navy had established formal radioman schools to train personnel, so by the time of the Second World War, there were 122,000 enlisted men engaged in naval communications. As the US entered WWII, radiomen were expected to know the Fleet Communication System, which involved:
- CW nets
- teletype
- voice communication
- three-letter Q coding
- internal message routing
- communication log maintenance
- manual encrypting
- transmitter and receiver operation
Over time, the radioman ratings for both surface and submarine forces evolved, and the radioman rating was merged into other ratings, such as electronics technician (ET) and later information systems technician (IT). The role of a submarine radioman was different from that of a surface ship radioman due to the unique challenges of submarine operations, such as:
- the need for extreme stealth
- technical difficulties of radio transmission from underwater
Even if both roles involved operating and maintaining communication equipment, submarine radiomen had several collateral duties assigned in addition to their watch hours. Moreover, submariners would run towards danger or an emergency on their ship, in the event of a fire, flood, or other emergency. Everyone on board would sprint towards it, as there was a limited time for intervention. Radiomen were trained and competent in acting quickly in emergencies, because on a submarine, "any problem is your problem."
Heightened Risk and Dire Consequences of Asbestos Exposure
An optimal environment for any toxic exposure - including asbestos - is confined spaces with stale air resulting from poor ventilation. On a submarine, personnel work around the clock in tight quarters, containing compartments only when an emergency calls for it. With reparation and maintenance often disturbing materials, there was a high likelihood of asbestos dust being released into the air when operations involved handling asbestos lagging. Radiomen usually worked in the 'radio shack', a small, often cramped space on board used for:
- receiving and transmitting radio signals
- maintaining communications equipment
- processing message traffic
Radiomen were at risk not only when on duty, working long hours while waiting on one system, but their maintenance and repair duties also involved handling or being near asbestos-containing products. The enclosed, small spaces of a submarine radio room only amplified the risk of inhaling or ingesting fibers from disturbed materials. As a result, submarine radiomen who served on ships built before the 1980s may have experienced a sudden decline in their health, followed by specific symptoms:
- shortness of breath
- chest pain
- chest tightness
- wheezing
- dizziness
- fatigue
- unintentional weight loss
- persistent dry cough
- pain with inspiration
- respiratory system complications
Because asbestos diseases have a long latency period, taking up to 50 years for the first severe signs to show, they are commonly misdiagnosed. Additionally, their complex development process involves multistep biological mechanisms and immunologic and genetic reactions that make a proper diagnosis difficult. It's only when asbestos-related illnesses have already reached advanced stages that the signs can be more conclusive, and doctors can recognize the condition. However, this delay significantly lowers veterans' chances of receiving specialized treatment and timely care.
Since an early diagnosis is critical when it comes to asbestos conditions, veterans should schedule regular check-ups and request CT scans or chest X-rays, along with pulmonary function tests, as soon as they experience any of the symptoms mentioned above. Many doctors may misinterpret the manifestations, as accurately reading the symptoms requires specialized knowledge and experience. Pulmonary specialists with expertise in lung conditions resulting from long-term asbestos exposure are best qualified to evaluate veterans' health and deliver an accurate diagnosis.
Former service members can make further steps by seeking second or third opinions outside the VA, given that asbestos-related illnesses often have the same symptoms as more common respiratory conditions. It's important to tell your doctor about your military service and any possible asbestos exposure, as this information can help the diagnostic process and identify non-cancerous conditions such as:
- pulmonary fibrosis
- asbestosis
- recurrent pneumonia
- emphysema
- rounded atelectasis
- chronic bronchitis
- pleural effusion
- pleural plaques
- pleural thickening
- COPD
- lung nodules and spots
- asthma
Although these conditions don't qualify veterans for compensation, they should be monitored regularly, as they can progress into cancer. Ongoing observation and thorough testing are essential for detecting malignant forms at an early stage, and a confirmed cancer diagnosis makes veterans eligible to file claims.
Helping Navy Veterans Affected by Asbestos and Toxic Exposure
The risks of toxic or chemical exposure during military service have changed over the years. In the time of the First World War, contamination due to chemical warfare was the primary cause of disabling conditions in veterans. World War II brought about the use of many toxic contaminants, among them asbestos. Nowadays, servicemembers are more likely to encounter hazardous spills at military bases or while deployed overseas.
Nevertheless, exposure to hazardous materials can also occur during combat training and daily duties, or even through contaminated groundwater. As long as veterans can establish that their disability is linked to toxic or chemical exposure during active duty military service, they could be entitled to VA benefits. Additionally, individuals affected by prolonged asbestos exposure may be eligible to file claims with asbestos trust funds and receive compensation. We can help you connect with legal specialists who have extensive experience in toxic exposure claims.