Asbestos Exposure in the Army www.mesorc.com Over the past decade, the number of mesothelioma cases among current and former members of the United States Army has skyrocketed. Even though the majority of products made with asbestos were banned by the Consumer Product Safety Commission in the late 1970s, many experts believe it can take as long as 40 years for asbestos-related illnesses to develop. That is why the full toll of asbestos exposure among Army veterans is only now being seen. How Army Soldiers Were Exposed Any building constructed prior to 1980 is loaded with materials made of asbestos, which was valued for its insulating properties. The mineral was also very fire-retardant and resistant to thermal transfer, qualities that are important in military installations. As a result of its widespread use, soldiers were regularly exposed to common items and materials containing asbestos, including: * Wall insulation * Foundation cement * Machinery * Pipe system insulation * Roofing and flooring materials * Caulks * Structural fireproofing * Acoustical insulation * Household products Any solider working a janitorial detail or in construction or demolition may have been exposed to asbestos. Army vehicles were additional sources of exposure because the brake pads, clutch plates, gaskets, and insulation all contained large amounts of asbestos fibers. Moreover, Army veterans who served through the end of the Vietnam War used or traveled in equipment that contained asbestos ...
Orignal From: Army Exposure
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