Most military bases in the U.S. took advantage of the fibrous mineral and applied it in large amounts to increase insulation effectiveness and spare costs. With North Carolina ranking 13th in the nation for asbestos-related deaths due to the state’s abundance of naturally occurring asbestos, exposure is still an issue for all veterans who might have inhaled or ingested the toxic fibers, including those in the large veteran community in North Carolina.

All five branches of the military extensively used the toxic mineral, and nobody knew that asbestos is a threat to human health when its tiny fibers are released into the air and inhaled. North Carolina is home to eight active military bases from all the branches except the Navy. Among them is Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, a notorious case of decades-long unattended contamination. Even if the toxins found in the water aren’t connected to asbestos, the hazardous mineral was overly used for insulation in facilities throughout the base.

During their active duty, military members were constantly at risk of asbestos exposure because of the toxic mineral’s presence in the sleeping barracks and mess halls. Navy personnel faced the same risk, only on a higher level, as veterans served on ships built with more than 300 asbestos-containing products and often stayed onboard their vessels during shipyard repairs or overhauls.

Because the structure and size of asbestos fibers enable them to float in the air for hours, asbestos dust potentially endangers veterans’ health. Once inside the body, the microscopic fibers cause permanent damage to major organs, leading to life-altering diseases. One of the most severe aspects of illnesses due to asbestos exposure is the long latency period between exposure and the first symptoms, which typically occur within 20 to 50 years.

Even if veterans may not have experienced health problems during their active duty, they most likely face the consequences of asbestos exposure decades later when they are diagnosed with conditions related to it, including asbestosis and various cancers. According to the “State of Lung Cancer” report released in 2023 by the American Lung Association in North Carolina, the incidence of lung cancer cases in the state is high, with this severe disease ranking as the leading cause of cancer deaths.

Even though many years have passed since asbestos’ use in the military, veterans who came in contact with asbestos during their active duty have to struggle now for their health. Instead of enjoying a carefree retirement, many vets face the cruel reality that their service came with the physical and psychological results of diseases developed due to asbestos exposure and a shortened life expectancy.

However, by making an appointment with their health care providers, veterans can take essential steps to mend asbestos-related health issues for more carefree retirement years. Understanding that early diagnosis of asbestos diseases can considerably improve treatment results and may add years to life. Veterans should actively protect their health by:

• Planning regular medical examinations: The inhaled asbestos fibers primarily damage the lungs, so veterans should ask for periodic chest X-rays, CT scans and pulmonary function tests. These medical procedures reveal any changes caused by the asbestos fibers and present relevant diagnostic tools for asbestos-related diseases. There are numerous VA benefits and health care facilities throughout the state where veterans with a history of asbestos exposure can receive an accurate diagnosis.

• Informing the doctors: Speaking openly about military service and likely asbestos exposure is essential, as many asbestos-related diseases can be easily misdiagnosed.

• Learning their legal rights: Veterans who suspect or know that they’ve been exposed to asbestos during their active duty should learn about their legal rights. It’s important to know that veterans injured by asbestos exposure during their active duty have the right to seek compensation from the asbestos trust funds and the Veterans Benefits Administration.

• Promoting awareness: Protecting others and camaraderie are among the fundamental lessons in the military; therefore, former service members can play an essential role in raising awareness by informing their fellow vets and sharing their experiences about asbestos exposure with their communities.

When expressing our gratitude for our veterans, we should acknowledge our responsibility to help protect their health. Awareness of asbestos exposure is a central part of this responsibility, and by shedding light on this lingering danger, we can assist veterans in receiving the care and support they rightly deserve.