Were U.S. Military Bases Built With Asbestos?
Yes, asbestos was widely used in U.S. military bases from the 1930s through the early 1980s, including in barracks, shipyards, aircraft hangars, and base housing in the U.S. and overseas.
Asbestos was considered a practical, low-cost material. It resisted heat and fire, provided effective insulation, strengthened construction materials, and held up in harsh environments. It was also readily available during wartime, making it a standard choice in military construction.
You may have been exposed to asbestos if you:
- Served between the 1930s and early 1980s
- Lived or worked in barracks or base housing
- Worked in shipyards, hangars, or motor pools
- Performed maintenance on equipment or buildings
- Worked around insulation, pipes, or cement products
- Lived with a veteran who was exposed to asbestos
When disturbed, asbestos releases tiny, invisible fibers into the air. Once breathed in or swallowed, they can lodge deep in the lungs or abdomen and cause irritation for decades, leading to mesothelioma, lung cancer, or asbestosis 10 to 50 years after exposure.
The military didn’t know how dangerous asbestos was. Asbestos manufacturers and suppliers failed to disclose the health risks, allowing its widespread use to continue.
How Was Asbestos Used on U.S. Military Bases?
The use of asbestos on military bases was rampant. Asbestos products could be found everywhere, from hangars to base housing in each branch of the military.
Common asbestos-containing materials on military bases included:
- Acoustical (ceiling) tiles
- Cement powder additives and cement products
- Drywall, wallboard, and joint compounds
- Electrical wiring and components
- Fireproofing materials
- Floor tiles and adhesives
- Gaskets and mechanical seals
- Insulation for pipes, boilers, and equipment
- Paint, glue, and other bonding materials
- Pipes and pipe coverings
- Roofing shingles and siding
- Sealants and caulking
- Valves and fittings used in mechanical systems
You didn’t have to work directly with these to be exposed to asbestos on military bases. For many veterans, exposure came from everyday tasks and living conditions.
If you lived or worked on a military base and are now facing mesothelioma, you may be entitled to disability benefits and other forms of compensation. Learn more in our Free Veterans Compensation Guide.
Asbestos on U.S. Air Force Bases
The U.S. Air Force relied on asbestos for decades, using it in buildings, aircraft, and vehicles across its bases.
Over 100 Air Force bases used asbestos, including:
- Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma
- Amarillo Air Force Base, Texas
- Benton Air Force Station, Pennsylvania
- Chanute Air Force Base, Illinois
- Dover Air Force Base, Delaware
- Edwards Air Force Base, California
- Eglin Air Force Base, Florida
- Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota
- Griffiss Air Force Base, New York
- Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii
- Homestead Air Reserve Base, Florida
- Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi
- Lackland Air Force Base, Texas
- Lowry Air Force Base, Colorado
- Liberal Army Air Field, Kansas
- Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base, Alabama
- Newark Air Force Base, Ohio
- Norton Air Force Base, California
- Othello Air Force Station, Washington
- Randolph Air Force Base, Texas
- Robins Air Force Base, Georgia
- Scott Air Force Base, Illinois
- Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas
- Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio
Please note: This isn’t a complete list. Additional U.S. Air Force bases may have used asbestos.
Asbestos-containing products may still linger today on older bases used by the U.S. Air Force despite removal and cleanup efforts.
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.
More than 100 U.S. Army bases used asbestos, including:
- Blue Grass Army Depot, Kentucky
- Camp San Luis Obispo, California
- Fort Benning, Georgia
- Fort Bragg, North Carolina
- Fort Campbell, Tennessee/Kentucky border
- Fort Gillem, Georgia
- Fort Hood, Texas
- Fort Jackson, South Carolina
- Fort Knox, Kentucky
- Fort Lee, Virginia
- Fort Lewis, Washington
- Fort McCoy, Wisconsin
- Fort McPherson, Georgia
- Fort Monmouth, New Jersey
- Fort Shafter, Hawaii
- New Cumberland Army Depot, Pennsylvania
- Pueblo Chemical Depot, North Carolina
- Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois
Please note: This is only a partial list of Army military bases with asbestos. Many more U.S. Army bases were built with asbestos products.
Some older buildings on U.S. Army bases still have asbestos, especially in barracks. An Army Times report found that a number of housing units on bases contain contaminants like asbestos and lead paint even today.
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, asbestos was also widely used in the construction of Navy bases.
U.S. Navy bases that contained asbestos included:
- Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina
- Naval Air Station Alameda, California
- Naval Air Station Cecil Field, Florida
- Naval Air Station Glynco, Georgia
- Naval Air Station Lemoore, California
- Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida
- Naval Station Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
- Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida
- Naval Amphibious Base, Virginia
- Naval Base San Diego, California
- Naval Operating Base Terminal Island, California
- Naval Ordnance Plant, Arkansas
- Naval Submarine Base, Connecticut
- Naval Support Activity Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania
- U.S. Naval Hospital, Georgia
- Washington Navy Yard, Washington, DC
The U.S. Navy relied heavily on asbestos because it was seen as a great material for fireproofing and insulation on ships and at bases. As a result, Navy veterans experienced higher levels of asbestos exposure than those in any other branch of the military.
Download our Free Veterans Compensation Guide to learn about VA benefits and compensation options after exposure to asbestos on military bases.
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 built with asbestos included:
- 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 products to protect its ships from fires. All areas surrounding the engines, boiler rooms, and other high-heat areas on the lower decks of Coast Guard vessels were insulated with asbestos.
High-Risk Jobs for Asbestos on Military Bases
Some jobs on military bases put service members much closer to asbestos than others. The risk came from working directly with materials that contained asbestos or from being around areas where those components were installed, repaired, or removed.
High-risk occupations for asbestos exposure included:
- Aircraft mechanics working with brakes and wiring
- Construction crews building barracks, housing, and hangars
- Demolition crews tearing into older buildings
- Electricians installing and repairing wiring
- Maintenance workers repairing boilers, pipes, and systems
- Motor pool workers servicing brakes and clutches
- Plumbers and pipefitters working on insulated piping
- Shipyard workers handling insulation and mechanical parts
However, you didn’t have to be in one of these roles to be exposed. Many service members came into contact with asbestos just by living or working on base, especially during repairs or in older buildings.
“People who were involved in the construction of those buildings, and sometimes even people who were just living in those buildings, could have been exposed to asbestos.”
What to Do If You Served on a Military Base With Asbestos
If you spent time on a military base before the 1980s, there’s a strong chance you came into contact with asbestos. It was used across buildings, housing, and equipment, so exposure could happen during routine work or day-to-day life on base.
Mesothelioma takes 10 to 50 years to develop, which means symptoms may not appear until long after your service ends.
Here are some practical steps to take:
- Write down your service history. List the bases where you served, your roles, and the types of environments you worked in. Include details like working in hangars, living in base housing, or being around repairs or construction.
- Watch for mesothelioma symptoms. Pay attention to ongoing issues such as shortness of breath, chest pain, fatigue, or a lingering cough. These symptoms can be easy to dismiss at first but should be checked by a doctor.
- Check VA eligibility. Veterans with asbestos-related conditions may qualify for free health care or disability compensation worth $4,158.17 a month. Eligibility depends on service-related exposure.
- Review your legal options. You may also have the right to file mesothelioma legal claims against companies that supplied asbestos materials to the military. These claims can provide additional financial support, without affecting your VA benefits or suing the military.
Taking these steps can help you piece together your exposure history, get the right medical attention, and pursue financial assistance for your family. Veterans stationed on bases overseas can still qualify for VA benefits and compensation, too.
Get Help for Asbestos on Military Bases
Many U.S. military veterans were exposed to asbestos on military bases while bravely serving their country. While the risks of military service were understood, the dangers of asbestos on bases were concealed by large corporations to protect profits.
Veterans and families affected by mesothelioma deserve support, VA benefits, and compensation for the harm they’ve suffered.
Mesothelioma Hope can help you or a loved one:
- Identify when and where asbestos exposure occurred during military service
- File for VA disability benefits and monthly compensation
- Connect with VA-approved doctors and treatment centers
- Explore legal options, including lawsuits and asbestos trust fund claims
Download your Free Veterans Compensation Guide or give us a call at (866) 608-8933 to get answers and support.
Mesothelioma Military Bases FAQs
What military bases had asbestos exposure?
Asbestos was used on military bases nationwide, not just at a few locations. It was installed in barracks, base housing, hangars, shipyards, and maintenance buildings, especially on bases built or used between the 1930s and early 1980s.
Because asbestos was built into insulation, pipes, flooring, and other materials, veterans and their families could have been exposed simply by living or working on base.
We can identify whether your base had asbestos if you previously served in the military. Contact our Patient Advocates to learn more.
Does the military still use asbestos?
No, the military doesn’t use asbestos in new construction or equipment anymore. Its use was suspended in the early 1980s after the link to serious illnesses like mesothelioma became clear.
However, asbestos hasn’t been fully removed. It can still be present in older buildings, housing, and infrastructure on some bases. When these materials are disturbed, fibers can be released and inhaled, which can increase the risk of mesothelioma years later.
How do I know if I was exposed to asbestos in the military?
There isn’t a single test that can confirm past asbestos exposure, so the best way to assess your risk is by looking at your service history.
You may have been exposed if you:
- Served between the 1930s and early 1980s
- Lived or worked in older base housing or barracks
- Worked in hangars, shipyards, or motor pools
- Performed maintenance, repairs, or construction
- Were around insulation, pipes, or renovation work
Family members were also at risk through secondhand exposure, especially when handling contaminated clothing.
Washing uniforms, doing laundry, or shaking out dusty work clothes could release asbestos fibers into the air, where they could be breathed in or swallowed.
Is asbestos exposure a VA disability?
Exposure alone isn’t considered a disability by the VA. However, mesothelioma and other diseases caused by asbestos exposure are considered disabling conditions.
Veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma may be eligible for:
- $4,158.17 a month in VA disability compensation
- Access to VA specialists
- Aid & Attendance benefits
- Survivor pensions for family members
To qualify, you’ll need to show that your mesothelioma is connected to asbestos exposure during your military service. In most cases, the VA requires a nexus letter, which is a medical opinion linking your diagnosis to your service.
Call (866) 608-8933 to get help obtaining a nexus letter. Our Veterans Advocate can request one from your doctor or provide a template for you to use.
What military bases have toxic exposure?
Toxic exposure has been identified at military bases across the country and overseas. Asbestos, the only known cause of mesothelioma, was widely used on bases built between the 1930s and early 1980s.
Examples of bases with known asbestos use include:
- East Coast: Joint Base Charleston (South Carolina), Naval Air Station Jacksonville (Florida), Fort Bragg (North Carolina), Naval Support Activity Mechanicsburg (Pennsylvania), Washington Navy Yard (Washington, DC)
- West Coast: Naval Base San Diego (California), Naval Air Station Alameda (California), Camp San Luis Obispo (California), U.S. Coast Guard Base Alameda (California)
- Midwest & Central U.S.: Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (Ohio), Fort Knox (Kentucky), Rock Island Arsenal (Illinois), Blue Grass Army Depot (Kentucky)
- South & Gulf Region: Eglin Air Force Base (Florida), Fort Benning (Georgia), Fort Hood (Texas), Naval Air Station Pensacola (Florida)
- Pacific & Overseas: Pearl Harbor (Hawaii), Hickam Air Force Base (Hawaii), Fort Shafter (Hawaii)
This isn’t a complete list of American military bases with asbestos. Because asbestos was used so widely in construction materials, insulation, and equipment, most bases from that era had some level of risk.
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