World War II sparked an unprecedented asbestos demand in the U.S. military as affordable materials were highly sought for equipment production. All five branches resorted to durable asbestos products, and it put many service members at risk of asbestos exposure, especially those of the Second World War, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. Today’s growing number of veterans' toxic exposure cases mirror the health risks they assumed aside from the challenges of service.
Asbestos was widely used in most industries, so nobody considered asbestos dust a health threat.
It is why asbestos diseases still are a concern for all veterans who might have asbestos fibers in their lungs, including those in Cumberland County's veteran community and Fayetteville’s veteran population. Because ships needed insulation from bow to stern, the Navy required vast quantities of this fire-resistant material.
Thus, personnel of vessels built before the 1980s were at a very high risk of asbestos exposure. This fact, however, doesn't diminish the exposure risks of military base personnel throughout the state. Toxic contaminants are health and environmental risks on military sites, and exposure to these dangerous substances is a severe issue requiring more attention, investigation, and, in most cases, immediate action after discovery. North Carolina hosts eight active military bases from all the branches except the Navy.
Among them is Camp Lejeune Marine Corps Base, an infamous case of decades-long unabated contamination. Even if the toxins in the water aren’t related to asbestos, the hazardous mineral insulated facilities throughout the base.
Veterans’ slowly declining health after asbestos exposure
Vets worked and lived near asbestos products while in the military, unaware of these materials' danger. Wear and tear breaks asbestos into microscopic particles that can float in the air for hours. It’s the white dust many veterans remember. Asbestos fibers are easily inhaled or ingested, and their sharp edges cause irreversible damage to organ tissue. Furthermore, asbestos-related diseases produce symptoms only after decades beyond the initial exposure.
While veterans may not have health issues during their service, some of them have to face the effects of asbestos exposure when diagnosed with severe illnesses linked to it, like mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer.
Those routinely in contact with asbestos products during service must continuously fight for their health. Many must acknowledge that their disease will shorten their lives, as no existing treatment can reverse the damage done by asbestos fibers. Today’s medical procedures can only slow the evolution, relieve symptoms, and prevent complications.
With North Carolina ranking 39th nationwide for the rate of new lung cancer cases and 13th highest in the country for deaths related to asbestos exposure, veterans should protect their health with regular medical examinations. Timely detection is crucial in asbestos-related diseases because it considerably improves treatment results and prolongs life expectancy.
That is why vets should proactively attend periodical check-ups and stay informed by learning their legal rights.
Being open with doctors about military service and potential asbestos exposure is vital in receiving a correct diagnosis. Inhaled asbestos fibers injure the lungs first, so veterans should take chest X-rays or CT scans and pulmonary function (breathing) tests to reveal any damage caused by them. These tests are also reliable tools in diagnosing benign and malignant asbestos conditions.
Veterans who know they’ve served in a contaminated environment or those who suspect they’ve been exposed to asbestos should know their rights and options. Compensation programs and legal avenues are available through asbestos trust funds and Veterans Affairs to help those affected by asbestos exposure, and veterans need to be informed about these resources.
Help for North Carolina veterans and their families through the PACT Act
In 2022, the 117th U.S. Congress enacted the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022, known as the PACT Act. The new law delivered improvement in health care and compensations for veterans exposed to toxic sub-stances.
The Act extends eligibility for V.A. health care for retired military members exposed to harmful substances during active duty and aims to provide veterans with the care and benefits they deserve.
Thanks to this new law, approximately 3.5 million toxic-exposed veterans are eligible for extended VA benefits. Since the passage of the PACT Act, nearly 6 million veterans have been screened for toxic exposure, and more than 1.3 million vets have been approved for expanded benefits.
In North Carolina, approximately 74,000 veterans have filed PACT Act claims, and over 7,000 veterans received expanded benefits. Cumberland County veterans can consult more information by accessing https://www.va.gov/resources/the-pact-act-and-your-va-benefits/.

Editor's note: Cristina Johnson is a Navy veteran advocate for Asbestos Ships Organization, a nonprofit whose primary mission is to raise awareness and educate veterans about the dangers of asbestos exposure on Navy ships and assist them in navigating the VA claims process. For more information, please visit their webpage at https://www.asbestos-ships.com/

(Photo: U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Jarrod A. Schad)