Australian Navy Asbestos Exposure

Today navy veterans make up the highest percentage of patients with mesothelioma a life threatening cancer caused by asbestos exposure.

Australian navy asbestos exposure. The navy used the toxic mineral because of its affordability tensile strength and resistance to heat and chemical damage. David martin australian sailor and politician died on 10 august 1990 of pleural mesothelioma. There is no amount of asbestos exposure low enough to be guaranteed 100 per cent free of health risk. Australian sailors are being exposed to deadly asbestos fibres because the navy continues to use contaminated parts years after they were outlawed.

Navy ships manufactured before 1980 and every sailor or workman who served on these ships was likely exposed to asbestos. It is believed that this was caused by his exposure to asbestos on military ships during his career in the royal australian navy. Many former members of the australian defence forces adf were exposed to asbestos during their service most notably those who served in the royal australian navy but also former members of the royal australian air force and the royal australian army. Navy vessels built prior to 1980 were laden with asbestos.

Most ex naval personnel who served onboard australian naval vessels between about 1945 and the 1980 s are likely to have been exposed to asbestos at some stage during their naval service either because they were working with asbestos themselves or were present when others either naval personnel or dockyard personnel were working with it. Products were prevalent in facilities and ships used by the australian defence force adf. Asbestos was used in all u s. All types of airborne asbestos fibres are unsafe for humans.

It is believed that this was caused through childhood exposure to asbestos insulation in the attic of his father s shop. Exposure to asbestos aboard naval vessels caused many veterans to later develop mesothelioma and other serious asbestos related conditions. The defence asbestos and hazardous chemicals exposure scheme dahces combines what was previously known as the defence asbestos exposure evaluation scheme daees and the defence exposure evaluation scheme dees the daees was developed as a result of the independent review of asbestos management in defence the enfield report. Asbestos can be found naturally in low levels in most parts of.

Unfortunately some of those exposed have and will develop asbestos diseases including asbestosis asbestos. Defence asbestos and hazardous chemicals exposure scheme. Is all asbestos harmful. Department of veterans affairs recognizes several asbestos related diseases as potentially service connected including asbestosis lung cancer and mesothelioma navy veterans who get sick because of military asbestos exposure are eligible for free health care disability compensation and other va benefits.