01. Asbestos Use at Air Force Bases
How Was Asbestos Used at Air Force Bases?
The Air Force frequently used asbestos within structures and machinery on bases. Many Air Force bases were built before the 1980s when asbestos products were widely used.
The military used asbestos products to fireproof and strengthen construction materials. On many Air Force bases, asbestos could be found in:
- Houses
- Common areas
- Dining facilities
- Work areas
Asbestos-containing materials are not dangerous if they remain intact. However, asbestos fibers may be released if these materials are disturbed or damaged. Asbestos-containing materials may release fibers during construction, demolition or repairs.
In addition to asbestos exposure from base structures, Air Force members may also experience exposure working with planes. Air Force members may have interacted with asbestos during plane maintenance and repair.
Asbestos was used as a fireproofing material in aircraft brakes and machinery. A variety of aircraft equipment was also commonly insulated with asbestos.
Asbestos equipment was meant to protect passengers and the plane itself from fires and excess heat. However, the use of asbestos products was dangerous.
Asbestos use on Air Force bases and machinery caused many individuals to experience asbestos exposure. Asbestos exposure can lead to an asbestos-related disease, such as mesothelioma.
Although laws and regulations limit asbestos use, the mineral is currently not banned in the U.S. As a result, asbestos may still be found on some Air Force bases. Due to lingering asbestos materials, Air Force members and their families may still risk asbestos exposure.
02. Notable Air Force Bases
Notable Air Force Bases That Used Asbestos
Many domestic and international U.S. Air Force bases were constructed using asbestos products. These bases may still contain asbestos and other hazardous chemicals.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) lists several Air Force bases as Superfund sites. The Superfund program allows the EPA to clean up these areas to protect service members, civilian workers and the public.
In addition to those designated Superfund sites, asbestos has been found in many U.S. Air Force bases. Several Air Force bases may still have asbestos in old structures and machinery.
Burns Air Force Radar Station
Burns Air Force Station was established as a radar station during the Cold War era. The base was deactivated in 1970 due to budget restrictions.
In 2002, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) documented asbestos-containing materials (ACM) at the former base. The DEQ stated the asbestos was a public health hazard.
In 2004, the EPA cleaned the area and removed:
- 20.5 tons of friable ACM
- 357 tons of ACM debris
Asbestos products found at the site included insulation, broken tile and wallboard. The DEQ finished the cleanup in 2011.
George Air Force Base
George Air Force Base opened in 1941 when asbestos was widely used by the military.
Aircraft maintenance was frequently done at the base. As a result, jet fuel, gasoline and paint contaminated the surrounding soil and groundwater.
George Air Force Base was placed on the EPA’s National Priority List in 1990. The base was placed on the list due to large amounts of hazardous materials.
The EPA began cleaning up the site in 1990 and is expected to finish in 2023. A review of the environmental hazards found 40% of the base’s facilities tested had asbestos-containing materials.
The Air Force is legally required to pay for the cleanup and has already paid more than $113 million towards cleaning the site.
Other Air Force Bases That Caused Exposure
Air Force bases in the following list are known to have used asbestos and caused exposure.
03. Who Is at Risk?
Who Is at Risk of Exposure at Air Force Bases?
Service members, their families and other civilians living on Air Force bases may be at risk of asbestos exposure. Today, individuals living on an Air Force base may experience exposure to asbestos-containing materials because many buildings and homes used the mineral.
The U.S. military no longer uses asbestos products. However, asbestos may still be present on some bases.
As asbestos-containing materials age, they may become friable and break apart. When asbestos-containing materials break apart individuals may inhale asbestos fibers.
In some cases, the Air Force did not keep clear records of where on base asbestos was used. Some families are also not told asbestos-containing materials may be in military housing.
Individuals who lived on Air Force bases in the past may have unknowingly experienced asbestos exposure. These individuals may still be at risk of developing an asbestos illness.
Occupational Exposure of Service Members and Civilians
Air Force members and civilian workers also experienced occupational asbestos exposure from working with asbestos products on base. For example, during routine plane maintenance and repair, asbestos fibers were often released into the air.
As a result, service members and civilian workers who repaired plane brakes and other machinery were at risk of inhaling asbestos dust.
Close contact with asbestos products often caused fibers to accumulate on clothes and equipment. Some Air Force members and civilian workers may have brought asbestos fibers home on their clothes. As a result, families may experience secondary exposure.
Secondary asbestos exposure can often occur from handling or laundering asbestos-ridden clothes. Service members and their loved ones were commonly unaware asbestos was brought into the home.
Although the use of asbestos products has decreased, some individuals may still face asbestos exposure from old materials. Any level of asbestos exposure puts Air Force members and civilians at risk of an asbestos illness.
Due to long latency periods, Individuals who experienced exposure in the past still risk developing mesothelioma, lung cancer or asbestosis.
04. Asbestos Lawsuits
Asbestos Lawsuits and VA Compensation
Air Force veterans with an asbestos-related disease may be eligible for financial compensation, healthcare and other benefits.
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers benefits for individuals with an asbestos illness. To be eligible, the illness must be a result of exposure during military service.
Air Force veterans and their family members can seek compensation by filing a VA claim. Air Force veterans may also receive low-cost health care and treatment from a VA treatment center.
Veterans may seek compensation through:
- Mesothelioma lawsuits: A lawsuit may be filed against companies that supplied the Air Force with asbestos products. Successful lawsuits result in a settlement or a verdict from the responsible companies.
- Asbestos trust fund claims: Asbestos companies may have a trust fund set up to compensate individuals diagnosed with an asbestos disease. Veterans may be able to file for compensation through these trust funds.
Air Force veterans with an asbestos-related disease can connect with a law firm to learn about all their options. An experienced mesothelioma lawyer can help veterans and loved ones determine their best compensation options.
05. Preventing Asbestos Exposure
Preventing Asbestos Exposure at Air Force Bases
To limit asbestos exposure, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has created laws to protect workers who come into contact with asbestos. Additional guidelines were also instituted to protect Air Force members working on bases.
In 1986, the USAF Occupational and Environmental Health Laboratory created asbestos guidelines to mitigate exposure on Air Force bases. The guidelines required air samples to be taken every six months and for bases to create an asbestos abatement plan.
Despite these protections, some Air Force members may still risk asbestos exposure. Many asbestos-containing materials still exist on Air Force bases and can put individuals at risk.
