Military Base Asbestos Exposure | Veterans & Mesothelioma

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Veterans who served on military bases may have been exposed to asbestos. Asbestos was extensively used at military bases, because it is fire and heat resistant. Studies have shown that veterans, and naval veterans in particular, face higher rates of mesothelioma than the civilian population. While veterans make up around 8% of the population, they account for nearly 30% of mesothelioma cases. Veterans and their families have been filing lawsuits against asbestos companies to seek justice and compensation for their suffering and losses.

About Military Bases and Asbestos Exposure:

Where Was Asbestos Present on Military Bases?

Asbestos was widely used on military bases and in military equipment. It was present in buildings and materials that needed to be fireproofed and in high-heat environments. The Navy, in particular, made heavy use of asbestos in shipbuilding. Although new uses of asbestos were largely phased out by the 1980s, legacy buildings and equipment can still expose individuals to the carcinogenic fibers. Veterans are often exposed to asbestos when the materials are disturbed by friction, demolition, or improper removal.

Machinery, Ships, Submarines, and Aircraft

Naval vessels built before the 1980s made heavy use of asbestos both in hull structures and below-deck machinery. Though much of that was eventually removed from those vessels, veterans who served before 1980 may have been exposed to higher levels. Asbestos was also used in military aircraft for its insulating properties, covering valves, brakes, electrical systems, and engines.

Buildings, Hangars, and Arsenals

As was the case with many civilian buildings constructed during this period, the military used asbestos in the construction of its buildings. Asbestos was used for insulation in roofing and flooring. It could also be found on pipes, boilers, and in storage spaces. Asbestos has since been removed from many, but not all, buildings from that era.

Base Housing, Barracks, and Dormitories

Older housing structures on military sites may also contain asbestos in their flooring, roofing, or siding. Many of the more recent cases of asbestos exposure on military bases involve barracks or dormitories. Base housing that served families has also been known to contain asbestos.

How Are Military Personnel Exposed to Asbestos at Bases?

Asbestos can be found in hundreds of materials on military bases, and each material possesses a different level of exposure risk. Asbestos is most dangerous when disturbed, such as during demolition or friction, which can release the fibers into the air. Below are some common ways troops have been exposed to asbestos.

Machinery and Aircraft Maintenance, Repair, and Assembly

While veterans have higher rates of mesothelioma overall, ones who are involved in machinery repair, maintenance, and assembly are at higher risk of developing asbestos diseases. For example, gaskets, sheeting, wire insulation, and brakes covered in asbestos can expose aircraft mechanics. These components also suffer substantial damage, wear, and tear, all of which can dislodge fibers. Individuals who maintain other vehicles like tanks, ships, and ATVs are similarly exposed.

Construction and Demolition of Facilities

Another common asbestos exposure pathway for service members comes from the construction and demolition of facilities. This exposure occurs when asbestos fibers are released, particularly when they are handled improperly. Veterans who built or deconstructed buildings built before 1980 may have been exposed to asbestos present in walls, roofs, floors, HVAC systems, or plumbing. Additionally, organizations like the Army Corps of Engineers are tasked not only with military construction projects, but public works and disaster clean-ups that can also expose them to asbestos.

Disturbing Asbestos Materials & Debris

Asbestos fibers can also be disturbed when a building undergoes any type of repair. For example, a plumber could be exposed to asbestos while working on a building’s pipes, as can anyone who is transporting debris containing asbestos. Similarly, high-heat and high-use conditions create an environment where asbestos can be disturbed.

Overseas Deployments

Personnel deployed overseas may, in some cases, be at a higher risk of being exposed to asbestos. Some countries have weaker asbestos laws than the U.S., and asbestos may still be in active use. For example, the use of burn pits in combat zones can also expose personnel to hazardous chemicals, including asbestos.

Other Sources of Asbestos Exposure

Service members were exposed to asbestos through a number of different ways while living on bases.

Additional sources of asbestos exposure include:

• Artillery
• Burn pits
• Nuclear test sites
• Lab equipment

What Occupations Put Veterans at the Highest Risk of Asbestos Exposure?

Certain occupations within the military are more likely to have exposed veterans to asbestos than others. These occupations typically worked with, or in closer proximity to, asbestos. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, military jobs with highest asbestos risk include:

• Aviation fire control technician
• Aviation mechanic
• Boilermaker
• Boiler technician
• Combat engineer
• Construction engineer
• Fire controlman
• Fireman
• Pipefitter
• Fire control technician
• Hull maintenance technician
• Instrumentman
• Marine Corp infantry (shipboard)
• Sonarman
• Soundman
• Sonar technician
• Utilitiesman
• Water tender

This does not include all of the assignments that put troops at risk of asbestos exposure. If a veteran developed mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, it is likely tied to their time in the service.

What Bases Exposed Veterans to Asbestos?

Asbestos usage has been common on military bases. Here are some of the sites that could have potentially exposed soldiers, workers, and their families to asbestos:

• Fort Bragg (near Fayetteville, NC): Built during the 1920s “golden age of asbestos,” Fort Bragg’s construction made heavy use of the substance, necessitating relocation of soldiers from older buildings on site as recently as 2022.
• Aberdeen Proving Ground (Aberdeen, MD): In 2024, a whistleblower alerted government officials that Army Installation Management Command and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers failed to complete required asbestos mitigation procedures during demolition projects at Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG). Built in 1917, APG is the Army’s oldest active proving ground.
• Camp Lejeune (near Jacksonville, NC): Though more well-known for contaminated water, Camp Lejeune, a Marine Corps base camp in North Carolina, has also been linked to a number of other types of toxic exposures, including asbestos, which was used in the base’s construction.
• Fort Hood (near Killeen, TX): Like many Army posts of its age, Fort Hood, built in 1942, made use of asbestos in its construction. Claims of exposure-related illness on-site continue to be made.
• Fort Campbell (near Hopkinsville, KY): An Army installation built in 1941. Environmental guidance published in 2024 notes the presence of asbestos in the installation’s flooring.
• Norfolk Naval Shipyard (Portsmouth, VA): The Navy’s oldest facility dates back to before the nation’s founding. A Government Accountability Office (GAO) document dating back to 1979 outlines efforts to protect workers from asbestos exposure on-site.
• Puget Sound Naval Shipyard (Bremerton, WA): Documents reference asbestos removal and asbestosis at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, established in 1891.
• Griffiss Air Force Base (Rome, NY): Built in 1943, it was used for aircraft repair and storage. It had a long history of asbestos use in materials like insulation.

Asbestos was used at many of the military bases and academies throughout the United States. If you are diagnosed with mesothelioma, a qualified asbestos attorney can trace your exposure to products used at the bases you served at.

Who Should Have Protected Veterans From Asbestos Exposure?

The companies who made asbestos products had a duty to protect veterans from asbestos. The health risks of asbestos were known long before the substance was phased out of construction and industrial processes. Asbestos companies concealed and downplayed the risks of asbestos, with veterans ultimately paying the price. Potential defendants in mesothelioma lawsuits include asbestos manufacturers, military contractors, suppliers, and distributors.

Companies that Supplied Asbestos Products to the U.S. Military

Hundreds of companies supplied the military with asbestos and asbestos-laden products from the Industrial era through the early 1980s. Among the most prolific suppliers and/or utilizers were:

• Armstrong World Industries
• Aurora Pump Company
• Babcock and Wilcox
• Bethlehem Steel
• Cleaver Brooks
• DuPont
• Foster Wheeler
• Garlock Sealing Technologies
• General Electric
• General Motors
• Georgia Pacific
• Goodyear
• Honeywell
• Johns-Manville Corporation (J-M)
• Owens-Corning Fiberglass Company
• Owens-Illinois
• Raybestos-Manhattan
• United States Gypsum Co.
• W. R. Grace & Co.

Were All Branches of the Military Exposed to Asbestos?

Anyone who served in the military may have been exposed to asbestos, but some branches and occupations present higher risks than others. The highest risk for mesothelioma is among Navy veterans, particularly those who worked on boilers, piping, machinery, or hull maintenance. The risk to other veterans, while not as extreme, is still elevated relative to the civilian population.

Navy and Coast Guard Occupations With Asbestos Exposure

Of all military branches, the Navy made the most extensive use of asbestos. The military relied on asbestos in everything from hulls to plumbing to engines, putting veterans in a closed environment with a dangerous substance. A study of British and Australian naval personnel who served from 1952 to 1967 found substantially higher rates of mesothelioma in the Navy compared to rates in other branches. Naval occupations with elevated risk include:

• Boiler technicians
• Water tenders
• Pipefitters
• Shipyard workers
• Hull maintenance technicians

However, because sailors worked in high-heat and limited-space conditions, anyone who served in the Navy may have been exposed to asbestos.

Army, Marine, and Air Force Occupations With Asbestos Exposure

While serving in the Navy carries the highest risk of asbestos exposure, the other branches of the military can also carry substantial risks. Marines, for example, may be subject to many of the same risks as Navy personnel when deployed on vessels. Additionally, the military used asbestos in the construction of air and land vehicles, as well as in the construction of barracks, hangars, and other military structures. Occupations with elevated risk include:

• Mechanics
• Aviation electricians
• Demolition crews
• Firefighters
• Welders

Were Military Families Put at Risk of Asbestos Exposure from Bases?

Secondary exposure to asbestos is a leading cause of mesothelioma in women. While the risks of asbestos exposure for military families are typically lower than those of enlisted individuals working in high-risk occupations, family members still face dangers. These risks are most elevated for families who live on base or in military housing.

Asbestos Exposure at Base and Family Housing

Asbestos used in housing construction represents the most direct danger to military families. On-base housing built between 1930 and 1980 generally made use of asbestos for insulation and fireproofing. While some of this asbestos has since been removed from those structures, it remains an ongoing issue for military families. Older homes in poor condition, or that are currently under renovation, present the highest risks of exposure.

Second-Hand Asbestos Exposure

Some types of asbestos fibers (friable fibers) can shed, raising the potential for secondhand asbestos exposure and related diseases. These fibers can cling to skin or clothing and eventually find their way into the lungs or organs of family members. It is suspected that second-hand exposure to asbestos accounts for many of the instances of mesothelioma in women.

When Were Veterans Exposed to Asbestos?

Veterans were exposed to asbestos during assignment, deployments, and daily tasks in the military. Industrial usage of asbestos took off in the early 20th century, hitting its peak in the military between the 1930s and 1970s. During this same time period, many military bases were constructed, machinery was built, and large-scale wars were fought.

Individuals who served during this window had the highest risk of asbestos exposure. Although new asbestos usage largely ended by the early 1980s, legacy equipment and buildings may still expose veterans to this day. Additionally, those deployed overseas may be exposed to asbestos in nations that have not phased out present-day use of the material.

What Diseases Could Veterans Exposed to Asbestos Develop?

Military personnel who were exposed to asbestos are at risk for developing mesothelioma, asbestosis, lung cancer, and other types of cancer. Veterans may develop one or more of these diseases after contact with asbestos. These diseases often occur decades after the initial exposure.

Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer affecting the lining of organs. The only known cause of mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. There are several types of mesothelioma: pleural, peritoneal, testicular, and pericardial. The most common type of mesothelioma is pleural mesothelioma, which affects the lining of the lungs. Small, needle-like asbestos fibers are thought to irritate organ tissue, causing scarring and, in some cases, cancer.

Asbestosis

Asbestosis has a similar mechanism to mesothelioma. When someone has asbestosis, there is scarring of lung tissue by small, sharp fibers. Asbestosis is non-cancerous, but it reduces lung function over time, making it more difficult to breathe. Asbestosis can raise the risk of developing mesothelioma or lung cancer. It can also lead to respiratory or heart failure.

Cancers and Other Conditions Caused by Asbestos

Asbestos exposure raises the risk of developing other diseases as well. Some of the diseases asbestos exposure can cause include:

• Lung cancer
• Laryngeal cancer
• Ovarian cancer
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Pleural thickening
• Pharyngeal cancer
• Stomach and colorectal cancer

How Long Does It Take for Veterans to Develop Asbestos Diseases?

Veterans who were exposed to asbestos may take 40 years or more to be diagnosed with mesothelioma or another disease. Asbestos-related diseases generally develop over a long period of time as the fibers slowly build up damage in tissue. The period of time between exposure and the appearance of symptoms is called a latency period. Studies have found the latency period for asbestos-related mesothelioma and lung cancer to be between 33.7 and 40.1 years . This long latency period can make identifying culpable parties more challenging.

What Should You Do if You Were Exposed to Asbestos on a Military Base?

If you believe you were exposed to asbestos on a military base, there are steps you can take to protect your rights even if you do not currently have any symptoms. This may include:

• Documenting the circumstances of your exposure
• Watching for early symptoms of disease
• Informing your physician of your exposure
• Documenting any asbestos product you used in the military
• Collecting available public information on exposures at your site

Doing these things can give you peace of mind whether or not you or a loved one ever develop an asbestos-related illness.

What Legal Options Do Veterans with Mesothelioma Have?

Veterans who develop mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease have the right to sue for compensation. Veterans do not directly sue the government in these cases. Instead, they can file a claim with the VA or seek compensation from a lawsuit or asbestos trust fund.

Can Veterans Sue for Asbestos Exposure?

Yes, they would seek compensation from the companies that supplied the asbestos products or fulfilled contracts involving asbestos. In other cases, rather than filing a lawsuit, veterans may file a claim on an asbestos bankruptcy trust.

Family members may also have the option to file a mesothelioma lawsuit on behalf of a family member. Similarly, if someone lost a family member to asbestos, surviving family members have the option to file a wrongful death lawsuit for mesothelioma.

Hire a Lawyer & File a Lawsuit

In cases involving active, solvent companies, veterans may decide to hire a lawyer and file a lawsuit against companies that made or installed asbestos products. Your lawyer will guide you through the process of building your case and will attempt to negotiate a settlement with the defendants. If a settlement cannot be reached, your case will be decided in court. A lawyer can help you prove you were exposed to asbestos and trace that exposure to specific companies’ products.

File a Trust Fund Claim

Asbestos trust funds have been established as part of Chapter 11 reorganizations by companies with asbestos liabilities. Veterans may file claims with one or more of these trusts if those companies were involved in their exposure. Asbestos bankruptcy trust claims are generally faster and easier to file than lawsuits, but typically have lower payouts. People generally use attorneys to file these claims, as determining partial liability is difficult.

File a VA Claim

Veterans can also file an asbestos claim with the VA if they have an asbestos-related condition that can be traced back to the military. Veterans may qualify for tax-free disability payouts, varying in size by the VA’s disability ratings. More serious diagnoses are more likely to result in higher disability ratings.

How A Mesothelioma Lawyer Can Help Veterans

A mesothelioma lawyer can represent veterans in the complex litigation often required to sue asbestos companies decades after exposure. For example, an attorney can determine what jurisdictions might be most advantageous for filing a lawsuit. They can also represent you in negotiations with defendants, or in court if necessary.

King Law has decades experience helping veterans across the country get compensation from asbestos companies and bankruptcy trusts. We help veterans and families whose lives were changed because of asbestos exposure in the service. Contact us today for a free consultation. We will fight to get you the best compensation available for your case.

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