Navy Veterans and Mesothelioma Cancer

Navy veterans and veterans of the U.S. Merchant Marine develop mesothelioma cancer at a rate that is significantly higher than that of the general population in the U.S. This is because the level of the toxic carcinogen asbestos was extremely high in sea-going vessels, whether they were docked or at sea. Today, many sailors and other Navy veterans have mesothelioma cancer that is directly traceable to their military service.

Vessels Exposed to Asbestos

Submarines, aircraft carriers, cargo ships, destroyers, troop ships, tugs — essentially every type of ship built from the turn of the century until the 1980s had excessive amounts of asbestos in many components, such as:

• Boilers
• Turbines
• Evaporators
• Pumps
• Soot blowers
• Motors
• Compressors
• Condensers
• Valves
• Gaskets

Asbestos Inhalation for Navy Veterans

Asbestos was widely used for both internal parts of ship machinery and on the outside of machinery as an insulator and fireproofing material. The men and women who spent time around these asbestos materials — whether they were merely serving aboard the ship, or repairing or building ships — were at a high risk of inhaling the tiny fibers that compose asbestos.

Check Your Military Service for Asbestos Cancer Risk

Navy veterans with mesothelioma cancer should examine their work and military service for potential asbestos exposure. In many cases, Navy jobs such as machinist's mate or boiler room repairman are fairly obvious culprits for the asbestos, but for other personnel, the asbestos exposure may have been in a less obvious environment, such as the lunchroom or housing area.

The engine rooms and fire rooms of ships were often asbestos-laden. When Navy vessels were at port or in drydock for repairs, the asbestos level in the air at many locations inside and outside the ship may also have been high. Individuals can inhale toxic amounts of asbestos without even realizing they are doing so. There are usually no immediate symptoms for mesothelioma cancer.

Mesothelioma Cancer and Navy Veterans

If you are a Navy veteran who has been diagnosed with mesothelioma cancer, it's a good idea to learn all that you can about the disease and your options. Contact mesothelioma treatment center for more information.

Mesothelioma Navy Veterans (english) / Mesotelioma Veteranos de la Armada (spanish)