The questions are: What is asbestos? How does one get it? What does research say? And what are your next steps if you have been exposed?

These are answered here. Join the conversation!

"There is no 'safe' level of asbestos fibers" (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)

"Asbestos is a carcinogen" (cancer producing) (OSHA; National Cancer Institute)

Introduction to Asbestos & Medical Research

Asbestos is a fiber, a strong, thin rock mineral fiber that is broken down into two classes of minerals:

Serpentine class: chrysotile (also known as white asbestos)
Amphibole class: amosite (brown asbestos), crocidolite (blue asbestos), anthophyllite, tremolite, and actinolite

Asbestos used to be mined in the US; however, since the 1970s, using asbestos has been banned for use. People are still exposed to asbestos through places and things where asbestos was originally used. Ships, homes, offices, and automobiles are a few places.

The reason asbestos was used, despite the harmful components, was that it is heat resistant and easy to use (Environmental Protection Agency, 2024). Therefore, it was used on many products around the United States, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Many people may be unaware of some of these, like asbestos use in hairdryers, cars, and steam pipes (EPA, 2024; Whitmer, 2024).

"The chlor-alkali industry still imports raw chrysotile asbestos to make diaphragms for chlorine production" (Whitmer, 2024). The chlor-alkali industry is the only current production using asbestos in the United States today, aside from brake blocks (vehicle brake systems) and other friction and gas items (EPA, 2024).

Asbestos can travel a long way after being released into the air. These fibers enter the air through mining or demolition of buildings, for example. These fibers can also enter water sources and enter a person through drinking. Asbestos can stay in the air and water for long periods, exposing more people for more extended periods.

Being exposed to asbestos poses many risks. Asbestos exposure is the main cause of pleural mesothelioma (a type of cancer) (American Cancer Society, 2018). The statistics are that 8 out of 10 people with mesothelioma have been exposed to asbestos at some point. (American Cancer Society, 2018).

Asbestos enters the body more through the nose and mouth (breathing). The fibers do not penetrate the skin and get into the bloodstream that way. Water that carries asbestos is also a way that it can get into the body. Once the asbestos fibers are disrupted and enter the air or water, they become dangerous to anyone who breathes them in or drinks the fibers via a liquid.

There is no way to see asbestos fibers. It is possible not to know if a demolition occurred in the area, all the while the fibers were still floating around. The length of these fibers is between .1 to 10 microns in size ("How is Asbestos Exposure Created?" 2023; "Asbestos - environmental health," 2023). For reference, general dust is around 25 microns, and the average hair micron size is 70 ("How small is a micron, and why does it matter?" n.d.).

The bad thing about asbestos is how hard it is for a human body to protect against it. The hairs that line our breathing passageways can stop around 1 micron in size and larger (How small is a micron, and why does it matter? n.d.), missing a lot of asbestos particles.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) National Library of Medicine discusses asbestos and the military. In one instance, the US conducted over 200 nuclear weapons tests in the mid-1900s, affecting 250,000 military personnel (Till et al., 2022). In this case, most deaths among these atomic veterans were related to asbestos exposure (Till et al., 2022).

"Mesothelioma is more common in White, Hispanic, and Latino people than in African Americans or Asian Americans." American Cancer Society (ACS), 2018.

Asbestos fibers are so strong and do not break down easy at all. Although mesothelioma is not common, "When asbestos fibers are breathed in, they travel to the ends of small air passages and reach the pleura, where they can cause inflammation and scarring. This may damage cells' DNA and cause changes that result in uncontrolled cell growth. If swallowed, these fibers can reach the abdominal lining, where they can have a role in causing peritoneal mesothelioma." ACS, 2018.

"There is no 'safe' level" of asbestos fiber exposure (OSHA). On a side note, "Radiation treatments for other cancers have been linked to mesothelioma in some studies. Radiation can damage the cells' DNA, leading to out-of-control cell growth" (ACS, 2018).

A lot of the military members that I knew smoked. Smoking tobacco (a military deployment pastime) combined with asbestos exposure significantly increases the chance of developing lung cancer. In addition to that, the military uses ships, aircraft, vehicles, and bases that have been known to have asbestos. Some of the old places could still pose a threat of asbestos exposure as they age and break down.

In many cases, asbestos exposure does not show up in cancer form for up to 40 years, with 3,000 new cases per year (Lanier Law Firm). The US Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines, and Coast Guard have been exposed to asbestos through plumbing, fireproofing, structural constructions, explosions, demolitions, renovations, and other asbestos-containing material associated with:

Facilities and equipment
Aircraft
Barracks
Deployments (overseas locations may still use asbestos)
Many personnel in WWII
Ships
Shipyards
Old protective gear

Associated deployments are:

WWII
Vietnam War
Korean War
Iraq
Afghanistan

"In 2009, liability lawsuits in nine states were filed against Kellogg, Brown and Root [KBR], an American construction company operating in Iraq and Afghanistan. KBR was accused of creating open-air burn pits that released asbestos and other toxic chemicals into the air, putting U.S. service members at risk." (Munz, 2024)

Attorneys Corner

Military personnel who believe they have been exposed to asbestos can receive support. Lanier Law and Ward Black Law are both powerhouses in these cases.

With proven track records and military legal expertise, combing over $1 Billion in compensation, they help investigate the exposure, file VA claims, research VA benefits, and provide legal advice. This includes surviving spouses and children under Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC).

"Military veterans across all branches were often exposed to asbestos, widely used in ships, vehicles, aircraft, and base structures. When asbestos-containing materials were damaged, fibers could be inhaled, posing serious health risks. Over time, this exposure has been linked to lung diseases and mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer. Mesothelioma primarily affects the lining of the lungs, abdomen, or heart, with symptoms often appearing decades after exposure" (Armour, 2024).

Lanier Law Firm

Founded by Mark Lanier, Lanier Law specializes in mesothelioma and addresses cases of asbestos exposure. Their attorneys are listed in US News Best Law Firms, Super Lawyers, American Association for Justice, Lawdragon, and more!

Phone number: 1-800-723–3216

They have offices in Houston, New York, and Los Angeles.

"We now know significant numbers of American troops survived combat only to succumb to a more insidious enemy on their own turf. The enemy is asbestos, a product that causes the rare and deadly cancer known as mesothelioma. Its onslaught continues today. US veterans make up 7% of the US population but they account for 30% of mesothelioma cases." (Armour, 2024).

Veterans exposed to asbestos and diagnosed with mesothelioma may qualify for VA compensation. Contact us for a free…www.lanierlawfirm.com

Mesothelioma Cancer Guide - lanierlawfirm.com/mesothelioma/cancer/

Ward Black Law

Founded by a friend of mine, Janet Ward Black, Ward Black Law is an award-winning firm for serious injury. Their attorneys are listed in Million Dollar Associates Forum, Super Lawyers, Top 10 Asbestos Mesothelioma Trial Lawyers, Charles Murphy Award, Order of the Long Leaf Pine, North Carolina State Bar's Distinguished Service Award, Thurgood Marshall Award, and more! Janet Ward was Greensboro, North Carolina's Woman of the Year in 2018.

"When someone inhales or ingests asbestos fibers, they can lodge in the lungs or other organs, leading to serious health issues such as lung cancer, asbestosis, and mesothelioma.

Asbestosis is a chronic lung disease occurring when asbestos fibers become trapped in the lung tissue. Over time, these fibers cause inflammation and scarring, leading to a decrease in lung function. Asbestosis symptoms typically include:

- Shortness of breath

- Persistent cough

- Fatigue

In severe cases, asbestosis can cause heart failure and other life-threatening complications" (Ward Black Law)

Get in touch with them here.

Phone number: 1–336–502–6208

They are located at 208 West Wendover Ave.

Greensboro, NC 27401.

Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure Lawyer in North Carolina

"If you were exposed to asbestos in North Carolina, contact our experienced Asbestos Exposure Lawyer at Ward Black Law…www.wardblacklaw.com"

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From all of us at Restore the Family: Military Transitions, Ward Black Law, and Lanier Law Firm, we wish you and your families a Happy New Year!

© Jessica and Joshua Lyon 2024. All Rights Reserved.

To cite us, use this format (APA, 7th edition): Lyon, J. & Lyon, J. (2024, November 20). Contest entry: Giving freedom shows their heart: in relationships, friendships, and family. Medium. https://medium.com/p/9d1677d865d0

Thanks for reading or listening today. I'll see you back here for the next one! Thanks for the positive comments! We love to read your comments!

Restore the Family: Military Transitions | Nonprofit Services | High Point

Support for military families in High Point with career assistance, education, and mental health programs. Contact…www.rtfmt.org

REFERENCES

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). Asbestos. https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/asbestos/about/

American Cancer Society. (November 2018). Key Statistics about mesothelioma. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/malignant-mesothelioma/about/key-statistics.html

American Cancer Society. (November 2018). What causes mesothelioma? https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/malignant-mesothelioma/causes-risks-prevention/what-causes.html

Armour, J. (2024, December 23). Lanier Law Firm: Mesothelioma & Veterans | Military asbestos exposure. https://www.lanierlawfirm.com/mesothelioma/veterans/

Asbestos - environmental health. (2023). https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/environmental-health/public-health-toxicology/asbestos/

Environmental Protection Agency. (2024, August 2). Learn about Asbestos | US EPA. US EPA. https://www.epa.gov/asbestos/learn-about-asbestos#:~:text=Because%20of%20its%20fiber%20strength,packaging%2C%20gaskets%2C%20and%20coatings.

How is Asbestos Exposure Created? (2023, October 6). Frequently asked questions: Asbestos. Utah Department of Environmental Quality. https://deq.utah.gov/air-quality/frequently-asked-questions-asbestos

How small is a micron, and why does it matter? (n.d.). https://www.breathingspace.co.uk/how-small-is-a-micron-and-why-does-it-matter-i67

Lanier Law Firm. (n.d.).

Munz, A. (2024, October 31). Asbestos exposure in military branches: health risks. Mesothelioma Center - Vital Services for Cancer Patients & Families. https://www.asbestos.com/veterans/military-branches/#:~:text=For%20much%20of%20the%2020th,aircraft,%20barracks%20and%20other%20buildings.

National Cancer Institute (2021). Asbestos Exposure and Cancer Risk. https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/substances/asbestos/asbestos-fact-sheet#:~:text=to%20asbestos%20exposure?-,What%20is%20asbestos?,fabricated%20(1%2C%202).

Occupational Safety and Health Administration. (n.d.). Asbestos. https://www.osha.gov/asbestos

Till JE, Beck HL, Boice JD Jr, Mohler HJ, Mumma MT, Aanenson JW, Grogan HA. Asbestos exposure and mesothelioma mortality among atomic veterans. Int J Radiat Biol. 2022;98(4):781–785. doi: 10.1080/09553002.2018.1551641. Epub 2019 Jan 8. PMID: 30513236.

Ward Black Law. (n.d.). Asbestos lawyers in North Carolina. https://www.wardblacklaw.com/north-carolina/asbestos-lawyer/

Whitmer, M. (2024, November 15). Asbestos products: What was asbestos used for? Mesothelioma Center - Vital Services for Cancer Patients & Families. https://www.asbestos.com/products/#:~:text=and%20detective%20kits.-,Home%20Goods,asbestos%20for%20its%20heat%20resistance.

Image 1: Background photo https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/young-family-portrait-soldier-father-holding-his-son-beautiful-young-wife_17247784.htm

Image 2: Background image by LondonDeposit 309371524

Image 3: Background photo from Shutterstock.

Image 4: Background photo by Eduardo Romero: https://www.pexels.com/photo/marble-tiles-near-columns-2083961/.

To read about mesothelioma mortality rate among atomic exposure veterans:

Asbestos exposure and mesothelioma mortality among atomic veterans - PubMed

The large excess of mesothelioma deaths seen among atomic veterans was explained by asbestos exposure among enlisted…pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov