The United States Air Force (USAF) began as the air power division of the U.S. Army in 1907. Forty years later, after World War II, the Air Force became its own branch of military service. Today, the USAF has a stated mission to “fly, fight, and win in air, space, and cyberspace.” The USAF is widely considered the most advanced air force in the world.
Airmen Face Increased Risk of Mesothelioma
Veterans of the USAF face an increased risk of developing asbestos-related disease as a result of their service. The U.S. armed services utilized asbestos-containing materials extensively during the era that the Air Force was organized. Most military bases constructed from the early 40s through the late 70s used asbestos as a concrete additive, in roofing products, and in wallboard and joint compound. The Air Force Command acknowledged the asbestos hazard in August 1986 when they adopted the Asbestos GRADE (Guidance for Rating and Assessing Damage and Exposure) system to prioritize asbestos abatement in their bases and buildings.
Asbestos was also commonly used in aircraft braking systems and as an insulator for engines. Veteran Airmen that serviced planes are at particular risk of contracting diseases such as pleural mesothelioma due to their interaction with such parts. This is because asbestos parts are most dangerous after wear and tear. Such damage can loose deadly asbestos particles into the air, where they can be inhaled into the lungs. The asbestos dust will often remain lodged in the lung tissue for many years before symptoms of asbestos disease become obvious.
Air Force Veterans Can Seek Compensation For Mesothelioma
If you have served in the USAF and contracted mesothelioma due to your honorable service, you may have a legal right to compensation for your injury. Similar rights are extended to your loved ones, who may have suffered second-hand exposure to asbestos dust carried home on uniforms. Fill out the form on this page to learn more about your rights, mesothelioma, and how you might have been exposed.
