Asbestos exposure during the Korean War has left many veterans, civilians, and members of their families with diseases that are directly traceable to asbestos exposure: mesothelioma, small-cell and non-small-cell lung cancer, and asbestosis, among others. The latency for asbestos-caused diseases can be up to 60 years after contact with asbestos, and thus asbestos exposure during the Korean War years (1950–1953) may manifest itself now, some 55 years later.

The Dangers of Asbestos Weren't Widely Known

In the early 1950s, the carcinogenic nature of asbestos was not widely known. The members of the military who worked with asbestos, the civilian contractors who were also exposed to this toxic mineral, and the family members who breathed in the asbestos dust that was inadvertently brought home to them did not know that asbestos may have been giving them cancer.

Asbestos in Many Jobs

Asbestos work on the home front, in Korea, or on other military bases such as those in Japan, Guam and Germany may have exposed a toxic level of asbestos to people in jobs such as:

• mechanic (auto, aviation, marine, maintenance)
• boiler operator
• brake or clutch repairman
• machinist
• shipyard worker
• steamfitter
• plumber
• drywall installer, drywall taper
• ceiling or flooring tile installer
• demolition worker
• electrician
• fireman

Family Members Too

These and many more jobs can involve direct contact with asbestos. Those who spent weeks, months or years working with asbestos-containing products in the early 1950s may well have ingested a toxic amount of this mineral. In addition, the asbestos dust that clung to the clothing, shoes and hair of many workers "traveled home" with them on a daily basis, only to be inhaled by spouses and children.

Many May Have Been Affected

Hundreds of thousands of Americans and their families served the Korean War effort. Although this war is sometimes called "the Forgotten War" because it receives less attention than World War II, there were 36,000 American combat casualties during the Korean War.

Learn More

The asbestos fibers that were inhaled by individuals in 1950–1953 may still be present in their bodies, resulting in respiratory disease or cancer. If you suffered asbestos exposure during the Korean War years, see a physician soon and contact us for more information about your rights.