Australian Navy Asbestos Exposure

Australian sailors are being exposed to deadly asbestos fibres because the navy continues to use contaminated parts years after they were outlawed.

Australian navy asbestos exposure.

David martin australian sailor and politician died on 10 august 1990 of pleural mesothelioma. All types of airborne asbestos fibres are unsafe for humans. Navy ships manufactured before 1980 and every sailor or workman who served on these ships was likely exposed to asbestos. Asbestos was used in all u s.

Navy vessels built prior to 1980 were laden with asbestos. Ex defence force personnel particularly members of the royal australian navy may have had exposure to asbestos while serving aboard navy ships where asbestos insulation was used. Is all asbestos harmful. Exposure to asbestos aboard naval vessels caused many veterans to later develop mesothelioma and other serious asbestos related conditions.

Defence asbestos and hazardous chemicals exposure scheme. It is believed that this was caused through childhood exposure to asbestos insulation in the attic of his father s shop. Wide exposure to asbestos. The navy used the toxic mineral because of its affordability tensile strength and resistance to heat and chemical damage.

Benefits for navy veterans with mesothelioma. 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. 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. It is believed that this was caused by his exposure to asbestos on military ships during his career in the royal australian navy.

Today navy veterans make up the highest percentage of patients with mesothelioma a life threatening cancer caused by asbestos exposure. Products were prevalent in facilities and ships used by the australian defence force adf. Unfortunately some of those exposed have and will develop asbestos diseases including asbestosis 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.