Torpedomen and Asbestos Exposure

Asbestos exposure in the military is an all-too-common, yet often overlooked, issue that has caused many veterans serious health consequences. Even if some of them saw risks from combat or warfare, their health might have been affected more from simply performing everyday tasks that placed them in direct contact with hazardous materials, among them asbestos.

The use of asbestos peaked during World War II and continued through the Vietnam War, but also followed into more recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. With the Navy's extensive use of asbestos insulation on ships, this military branch became one of the most dangerous areas of exposure. It was an unseen and ongoing health hazard for those involved in shipbuilding, repairs, and maintenance, as these jobs generated considerable amounts of asbestos dust. Consequently, specific jobs exposed shipyard workers and veterans more frequently to asbestos, including torpedomen.

During WWII, a torpedoman in the US Navy was a specialist primarily in submarines. The torpedoman rating was first established in 1921, and changed to torpedoman 's mate (TM) in 1942. TMs were responsible for the maintenance, handling, and operation of torpedoes and related systems, performing intermediate-level maintenance on:

• test equipment
• launching/firing systems
• hydraulic systems
• air systems
• launching/firing systems

TMs prepared underwater ordnance for launching, conducted postfire/postrun routines, and weapons performance evaluation procedures. They performed organizational maintenance on:

• underwater ordnance
• small arms
• ammunition

TMs also conducted operations and organizational maintenance on submarine anchoring systems. These Navy enlisted sailors served on submarines for most of their careers. Inside the submarine's auxiliary compartments, they worked on various weapons systems and equipment. Just like onboard ships built before the 1980s, on submarines, asbestos exposure was a high health risk in the confined and poorly ventilated spaces. WWII submarines also contained alarming amounts of asbestos used for fireproofing and insulation.

It is why, just as those serving in the surface version of the TM rating, those fulfilling duty on submarines were at a high risk of inhaling or ingesting airborne asbestos fibers and developing diseases stemming from it decades later. Once inside the body, the sharp mineral threads gradually harm primarily the lungs through a slow process. They first become trapped in the lung lining, irritating it with every breath, which triggers chronic inflammation. Over time, this leads to permanent scarring and cellular mutations, ultimately increasing the risk of asbestos-related cancers, such as:

• pharyngeal cancer
• colorectal cancer
• mesothelioma
• laryngeal cancer
• esophageal cancer
• urogenital cancer
• bronchial cancer
• lung cancer
• gastrointestinal cancer

Veterans diagnosed with these cancers may be eligible to file claims and receive benefits if their medical records confirm any of the listed cancers and if they can provide evidence of asbestos exposure.

Early Diagnosis Can Save Veterans' Lives

Asbestos diseases are highly hazardous due to their long latency period, their development taking up decades after the initial exposure. Mild symptoms may appear earlier, but it can take up to 50 years for the first severe signs to show.

This extensive delay between the cause and disease is why asbestos-related diseases are often diagnosed only in their advanced stages, significantly lowering veterans' chances of receiving specialized treatment and timely care. Since early diagnosis is critical, veterans should schedule regular check-ups and ask for CT scans or chest X-rays, along with pulmonary function tests, as soon as they experience:

• shortness of breath
• chest pain
• chest tightness
• wheezing
• dizziness
• fatigue
• unintentional weight loss
• persistent dry cough
• pain with inspiration
• respiratory system complications

Moreover, asbestos-related diseases are commonly misdiagnosed due to their complex development, which involves multistep biologic mechanisms and immunologic and genetic reactions that are challenging to pinpoint. Many doctors may misinterpret the symptoms, as accurately diagnosing asbestos illnesses requires specialized knowledge and experience. Pulmonary specialists with expertise in lung diseases caused by long-term asbestos exposure are best equipped to assess veterans' health and provide an accurate diagnosis.

Veterans can further protect themselves by seeking second or third opinions outside the VA, since asbestos-related illnesses often share symptoms with more common respiratory conditions. It's also crucial to inform your doctor about your military service and potential asbestos exposure, as this information can speed up the diagnostic process and help identify non-cancerous diseases 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 health conditions don't qualify former service members for compensation, they should be regularly checked, as they tend to develop into cancer. Only the monitoring of these diseases and comprehensive tests can discover malignant forms in their early stages, and a cancer diagnosis makes veterans eligible for claims.

We Assist Navy Veterans to Receive Their Rightful Compensation

With over 300 asbestos-containing products used in building the ships for the Navy, the health of service members was likely compromised throughout those years. Veterans who served between the Second World War and the late 1970s should prioritize regular doctor visits if they begin experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above.

Former members of the military diagnosed with cancer due to in-service asbestos exposure may be eligible for disability compensation if they have evidence of exposure. We can help by connecting you with experienced asbestos lawyers who are ready to take on your case.