Australian Navy Asbestos Exposure

There is no amount of asbestos exposure low enough to be guaranteed 100 per cent free of health risk.

Australian navy asbestos exposure.

All types of airborne asbestos fibres are unsafe for humans. Australian sailors are being exposed to deadly asbestos fibres because the navy continues to use contaminated parts years after they were outlawed. 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. 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.

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 was used in all u s. It is believed that this was caused by his exposure to asbestos on military ships during his career in the royal australian navy. Products were prevalent in facilities and ships used by the australian defence force adf.

David martin australian sailor and politician died on 10 august 1990 of pleural mesothelioma. Navy vessels built prior to 1980 were laden with asbestos. Navy ships manufactured before 1980 and every sailor or workman who served on these ships was likely exposed to asbestos. Exposure to asbestos aboard naval vessels caused many veterans to later develop mesothelioma and other serious asbestos related conditions.

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. Asbestos can be found naturally in low levels in most parts of. Benefits for navy veterans with mesothelioma. Today navy veterans make up the highest percentage of patients with mesothelioma a life threatening cancer caused by asbestos exposure.

The navy used the toxic mineral because of its affordability tensile strength and resistance to heat and chemical damage. Is all asbestos harmful. Wide exposure to asbestos. Unfortunately some of those exposed have and will develop asbestos diseases including asbestosis asbestos.