Asbestos is largely viewed as a great concern when microscopic fibers are released into the air. Once inhaled, the fibers are lodged into the lungs or body tissues, where they remain in place causing severe diseases over the years.
Veterans were directly in contact with asbestos because the miracle mineral was a prime choice for military base construction. The National Guard also relied on a variety of asbestos-containing products for constructing bases. Asbestos was an ingredient in:
Guardsmen can also be exposed to asbestos when handling an emergency situation. For example, when Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast in 2005, the U.S. National Guard deployed 50,000 troops to carry out rescue missions that sent them into damaged homes and buildings filled with asbestos.
National Guards might’ve been also exposed to asbestos from:
If you are a U.S. National Guard veteran who has developed an asbestos-related disease which you believe is related to asbestos exposure during the term of your Guard membership you may be eligible for compensation from asbestos trust funds and VA claims.