Asbestos on Military Bases

Why Were U.S. Military Bases Built With Asbestos?

Every U.S. military base built from the 1930s to the early 1980s used asbestos-containing products. Asbestos was a prime choice for military bases. It was fire-resistant, an excellent insulator, non-corrosive, and very strong. It was also readily available and cheap to buy.

But service members had no idea they were risking their health by working with asbestos on military bases.

Health issues caused by asbestos exposure include:

• Mesothelioma
• Asbestosis
• Lung cancer
• Pleural effusions & plaques

Fortunately, veterans who got sick from asbestos on military bases can apply for VA benefits. With these benefits, veterans with mesothelioma can receive monthly compensation and health care from top VA doctors.

Learn how to access VA benefits and payouts from private claims — download our Free Veterans Compensation Guide now.

How Asbestos Was Used on U.S. Military Bases

The use of asbestos on military bases was rampant. Asbestos-based products could be found everywhere from hangars to homes on the bases of each branch of the military.

Asbestos was used in:

Learn how different branches used asbestos on military bases below.

Asbestos on U.S. Air Force Bases

The buildings, planes, and vehicles on U.S. Air Force bases all relied on a wide range of asbestos-based products for decades.

Asbestos was used in over 80 U.S. Air Force bases, including:

Asbestos insulation, tiles, and cement were commonly used in Air Force bases. Asbestos was also found in parts of Air Force planes and vehicles (like cockpit heating systems and engine heat shields). The protective equipment worn by Air Force firefighters and welders even contained asbestos too.

Asbestos-based products may still linger on older U.S. Air Force bases even in the present day despite removal and cleanup efforts.

Get our Free Mesothelioma Guide to learn more about how asbestos was used by the military and how to get help after a cancer diagnosis.

Asbestos on U.S. Army Bases

Anyone working or living on a U.S. Army base before the 1980s may have been exposed to asbestos.

Nearly 70 Army bases used asbestos, such as:

The U.S. Army added asbestos to products on base to protect them from fire and extreme heat. Asbestos-containing materials were used in boilers, brake pads, electrical wiring, and construction products.

As is the case with Air Force bases, some older structures on U.S. Army bases may still contain asbestos, especially Army barracks. For example, World War II-era structures on Fort Campbell built with asbestos were still in use until they were safely demolished in 2021.

Asbestos on U.S. Navy Bases

The U.S. Navy used more asbestos than all other military branches — particularly in its ships and shipyards. However, the Navy also used a lot of asbestos to build its bases.

U.S. Navy bases that used asbestos included:

The U.S. Navy used so much asbestos as it was thought to be the perfect material for fireproofing and insulation for bases and ships. As a result, U.S. Navy veterans had the highest rate of asbestos exposure out of any military branch.

There are many other Navy bases not listed above that could have put you at risk of exposure. The Mesothelioma Hope team can find out how you were exposed to asbestos and help you get the care you deserve. Reach out to our Patient Advocates now.

Asbestos on U.S. Coast Guard Bases

Several U.S. Coast Guard bases located throughout the country relied on asbestos-containing products before the 1980s.

Coast Guard military bases with asbestos include:

• U.S. Coast Guard Base Alameda, California
• U.S. Coast Guard Base Gloucester, New Jersey
• U.S. Coast Guard Base Los Angeles Long Beach, California
• U.S. Coast Guard Station, Connecticut
• U.S. Coast Guard Station Curtis Bay, Maryland

The U.S. Coast Guard also commonly used asbestos-based products to protect its ships from fires. All areas surrounding the engine, boiler room, and other high-heat areas on the lower deck of Coast Guard vessels were insulated with asbestos.

How Asbestos Exposure Occurred on Military Bases

Marine Corps personnel were at a high risk of asbestos exposure on military bases when they cut, drilled, sawed, sanded, and fit asbestos-containing products as part of construction projects.

The risks also increased when old asbestos materials became friable (easily crumbled). This could make it easier for asbestos fibers to enter the air and be inhaled.

Military personnel could unknowingly inhale large amounts of asbestos since the fibers are microscopic.

These fibers can never leave once inside the body — and since they are a foreign object, they would constantly irritate healthy tissue. After 10-50 years, the irritation of these asbestos fibers can cause scar tissue to form over and healthy cells to mutate. This causes cancers such as mesothelioma to form.

Help After Asbestos Exposure on U.S. Military Bases

After a mesothelioma diagnosis, military veterans may feel confused, scared, or angry. Thankfully, veterans who developed mesothelioma after being exposed to asbestos on military bases can apply for government-issued and private benefits.

Key resources available to U.S. veterans include:

• Private mesothelioma claims (which award financial compensation from makers of asbestos-based products)
• VA benefits (including monthly financial payouts and free/low-cost health care)
• Asbestos trust fund claims (which can award additional compensation)

Families can also file claims on behalf of relatives or loved ones with mesothelioma as well — even if a veteran has already died. To learn more, download our Free Veterans Compensation Guide right now.