Asbestos on Air Force Bases

Asbestos Use on Air Force Bases

Before the health hazards came to light, asbestos was popular for its durability, versatility, and resistance to fire, water, and sound. It was also inexpensive and easy to obtain, making it a go-to choice for all kinds of construction materials and maintenance projects.

Like each of the other major American military branches — the Navy, Army, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard — the U.S. Air Force used asbestos in a variety of ways. The problem with asbestos is that it’s a carcinogen (cancer-causing substance) made up of microscopic fibers that can become airborne when disturbed.

Whether you worked on planes during your military service or lived on an Air Force base with your family, Mesothelioma Hope provides a wide range of support services for illnesses caused by asbestos exposure.

Our team of Patient Advocates and fellow veterans can help you pursue financial compensation, free or low-cost health care services, and other benefits.

Get more information by downloading our Free Veterans Compensation Guide.

Air Force Bases That Contained Asbestos

Given how popular asbestos was, it’s no surprise that the material was used to build and maintain dozens of Air Force bases prior to the mid-1980s, both in the U.S. and abroad.

Here are a few Air Force bases that were built on American soil and contained asbestos.

Chanute Air Force Base (Rantoul, Illinois)

The land that became Chanute Air Force Base was originally leased by the U.S. government in 1917 to train pilots.

With World War I ending a year later, it became a storage space for aircraft parts and other supplies. However, the government acquired the neighboring land and built a fully functioning Air Force base in time for World War II.

The base pivoted to ground training during the following decades and ended flight operations in 1971. The base itself was decommissioned in 1993, and much of it is now abandoned.

Among the highest areas of asbestos risk on Chanute Air Force Base were the steam plant, steam tunnel vaults, and White Hall. The U.S. Air Force agreed to conduct asbestos abatement on these structures before demolishing them in 2015.

Lowry Air Force Base (Denver)

Lowry Air Force Base was built on almost 2,000 acres of land just outside of Denver.

Established in 1935, Lowry Air Force Base was used as an airfield and training base, with flight operations taking place until 1966. The base was formally closed in 1994.

In 2004, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (DPHE) ordered the U.S. Air Force to begin asbestos testing and abatement on the 22 acres of land it still owned.

Griffiss Air Force Base (Rome, New York)

Griffiss Air Force Base began operating in 1943 and was primarily used for repairing and maintaining aircraft and storing supplies during World War II. Griffiss Air Force Base was closed in 1995.

Unfortunately, a significant amount of toxic substances were stored on base and then disposed of in landfills across the base. This practice, coupled with widespread asbestos use across the base, led to environmental and public health concerns.

With the discovery of contaminated underground wells in the nearby town of Floyd in the 1980s, the government began decontamination efforts that were completed in December 2021.

International U.S. Air Force Bases

Most states have been home to a U.S. Air Force base at some point, and any of those bases could have contained asbestos prior to the early 1980s.

However, not all U.S. Air Force bases were built on American land.

The U.S. military also built Air Force bases in other countries, including:

• Germany
• Guam
• Italy
• Japan
• Korea
• United Kingdom

If you or a loved one was stationed on a U.S. Air Force base in any of these countries and later developed mesothelioma, you may be able to take legal action.

Connect with our Patient Advocates now to get more information. We’re here to listen to your story and help you determine the next steps.

How Was Asbestos Used on Air Forces Bases?

Asbestos was a cheap and versatile building material used extensively on U.S. Air Force bases for insulation, fireproofing, and soundproofing. It could be found in structures ranging from barracks to mess halls to aircraft hangars.

Asbestos was used in many aspects of U.S. Air Force bases, including:

• Adhesives
• Caulking
• Ceiling tiles and floor tiles
• Drywall
• Fireproofing materials
• Heat shields
• HVAC systems
• Insulation materials
• Paint
• Pipes
• Plumbing
• Roofing

Asbestos was also used in the aircraft stationed on Air Force bases, which presented additional risks for those who lived and worked on base.

Asbestos was used in many military aircraft parts, such as:

• Brakes and brake pads
• Clutches
• Electrical wiring
• Engines
• Gaskets
• Heating systems
• Tires
• Torque valves

You can learn much more about asbestos exposure and the products that contained this dangerous substance in our Free Asbestos Guide.

Air Force Personnel at Risk of Asbestos Exposure

Anyone who has spent time on a U.S. Air Force base may have been exposed to asbestos. This includes military members and their families. However, service members in certain roles were more likely to encounter asbestos.

Air Force personnel at the highest risk of asbestos exposure included:

• Aircraft mechanics
• Airmen
• Boilermakers
• Carpenters
• Construction workers
• Electricians
• Engineers
• Firefighters
• Insulators
• Pipefitters
• Plumbers
• Welders

Individuals who had more hands-on experience with asbestos — and spent time in areas with high concentrations of asbestos — are more likely to develop diseases like mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer.

Family members may also be at risk from secondhand exposure to asbestos. For example, spouses or children may have unknowingly breathed in asbestos fibers that a relative brought home on their hair, skin, or clothing.

VA Benefits for Veterans Exposed to Asbestos on Air Force Bases

The U.S. military never meant to subject its service members to dangerous materials, but manufacturers of asbestos-containing products chose profits over lives.

However, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides Air Force veterans with mesothelioma several types of resources and relief.

Veterans with mesothelioma may be entitled to VA benefits, including:

• Health care: Veterans with mesothelioma may be able to access free or low-cost VA health care from the nation’s top cancer doctors.
• Pensions: Air Force veterans with mesothelioma may be able to receive a VA pension based on their financial need and service history.
• Special Monthly Compensation (SMC): This type of monthly payout is for veterans with special health needs like in-home care and transportation.
• VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (VA DIC): Surviving spouses and children of military veterans may be eligible for tax-exempt monthly DIC payments.
• VA Disability Compensation: Most U.S. Air Force veterans with mesothelioma qualify for 100% disability compensation and may receive nearly $4,000 a month in tax-free payments as of 2024.

Other forms of mesothelioma compensation include:

• Asbestos trust funds: Manufacturers of asbestos-based products were required to set up trust funds for people who developed health conditions after exposure to their dangerous products. These trust funds currently contain over $30 billion in compensation.
• Lawsuits: Although the value of a case depends on a number of factors, private mesothelioma lawsuits typically award veterans settlements of about $1 million. Note that these types of lawsuits are filed against the manufacturers of asbestos-containing materials — not the U.S. government or Air Force.

VA benefits and other types of asbestos compensation can help reduce veterans’ financial stress, improve their health, and make life easier on their families.

We can determine if you qualify for asbestos trust fund compensation — get started right now.

Get Help Filing for Veterans Benefits

The VA offers a number of benefits that help veterans and their loved ones deal with serious diseases like mesothelioma more effectively and comfortably.

If you are a veteran or a veteran’s family member who developed mesothelioma after being exposed to asbestos on an Air Force base, don’t wait to apply for benefits — the sooner you file, the sooner you can start receiving aid.

Mesothelioma Hope can help you determine your eligibility and file claims for financial compensation, low-cost or free health care, and other forms of assistance.

To see if you qualify for VA benefits, call us at (866) 608-8933 today.