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Coastguard and Asbestos Exposure
Across the world various divisions of military forces have a long history concerning the use of asbestos. Throughout much of the 20 th century, asbestos was considered a great material. It was utilized in hundreds of military applications and products, most notably for insulation, fireproofing and various applications on ships.
The health of veterans from all divisions of the military forces, including the Coastguard, is at risk due to their service-related asbestos exposure. Even if a person was part of military personnel for a short period of time, they may have experienced exposure, making them susceptible to developing an asbestos-related disease later in life.
Research shows that even a single occurrence of heavy asbestos exposure has the potential to cause disease. One of the main concerns for military veterans is mesothelioma, a rare cancer that most commonly develops in the lining of the lungs.
Symptoms of mesothelioma can take as long as 20 to 50 years to arise from the time of initial exposure to asbestos. As a result, the cancer is often diagnosed during a late stage of development. The average mesothelioma life expectancy for patients ranges between four and 18 months. Routine medical checkups and early detection will give patients the best chance of combating the cancer.
For members of the Coastguard, there are additional concerns about asbestos exposure. Prior to the 1980s, ships on which these members spent so much of their lives were likely built with asbestos-containing materials. The areas around the engine and boiler rooms used asbestos insulation to contain the heat. The ropes used throughout the naval ships were often woven with asbestos fibers and the covering on pipes that ran through the ships was often coated with asbestos.
While a cure for mesothelioma does not currently exist, treatment options such as surgery, chemotherapy and radiation are available for patients to help combat the cancer. Extensive studies and clinical trials are in progress with the hope of finding a cure. Symptoms of mesothelioma may include coughing, shortness of breath, pain in the chest, fatigue and fever. If detected in the early stages of development, patients will have more treatment options available to them.
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