Comment: Veterans of all eras should know about asbestos threat [View all]

By Cristina Johnson / For The Herald

Asbestos use was widespread in the U.S. armed forces during the last century, reaching its peak as the Wrold War II effort demanded large amounts of accessible materials for the production of military equipment.

Every military branch resorted to asbestos, but the Navy applied most of this toxic mineral in its pursuit to ensure a safe, fireproof environment on its ships. Naval vessels built before the 1980s were insulated from bow to stern with the hazardous material, putting naval personnel at an exceptionally high risk of asbestos exposure. However, other military bases aren’t an exception from being potential sources of asbestos contamination.

Due to the presence of asbestos in military property — including aircraft, vehicles, ships, shipyards and barracks — veterans, especially those of the Second World War, Korean and Vietnam War, risked asbestos exposure whenever they fulfilled duty on land, sea or air. In addition to being exposed to other toxic materials, working near asbestos-containing items may have been a supplemental risk to Washington veterans’ deteriorating health, as diseases due to toxic exposure are on the rise today. This issue affects Washington’s veteran population and Everett’s veteran community.

Washington hosts seven military bases, not included those of the Coast Guard and Marines. The State’s WWII military history includes Fairchild Air Force Base, the largest wartime air refueling base in the U.S. Air Force. NAS Whidbey Island Navy Base is another historical installment, being the single largest naval installation in the Pacific Northwest. It was officially commissioned as an operational United States Naval Air Station in 1942 and has 7,500 active duty and reserve military personnel serving on its premises.

https://www.heraldnet.com/opinion/comment-veterans-of-all-eras-should-know-about-asbestos-threat/