| The risk for mesothelioma is very real for our | | | | - Fireman (F) |
| nation's veterans, many of whom were heavily | | | | - Fire Controlman (FC) |
| exposed to asbestos during their service in the | | | | - Pipefitter (FP) |
| military. Mesothelioma, nearly always caused by | | | | - Fire Control Technician (FT) |
| exposure to asbestos, is a cancer that attacks | | | | - Fire Control Technician (Gun Fire Control)(FTG) |
| the lining of the lungs, abdomen, or heart. | | | | - Hull Maintenance Technician (HT) |
| Scientists are still searching for a cure to | | | | - Instrumentman (IM) |
| mesothelioma. The disease remains dormant for | | | | - Shipfitter (Pipefitter)(SFP) |
| decades, and when its symptoms do appear, the | | | | - Sonarman (SO) |
| cancer has often reached an advanced stage, at | | | | - Soundman (SoM) |
| which point it is quite aggressive. | | | | - Sonar Technician (ST) (After 1948) |
| Asbestos Exposure in the Navy | | | | - Sonar Technician (Surface) (STG) |
| The risk for mesothelioma is very real for our | | | | - Sonar Technician (Submarine)(STS) |
| nation's veterans. This is especially true for those | | | | - Utilitiesman (UT) |
| who served in the Navy on board ship. The | | | | - Water Tender (WT) |
| concentrated exposure to asbestos that many | | | | Asbestos exposure was likely for those who |
| received during their military service decades ago | | | | served in the following occupations (the letters |
| has resulted in various health problems for our | | | | following each title signify the Navy's abbreviation |
| veterans, including mesothelioma, lung cancer and | | | | for the job classification): |
| asbestosis. Asbestos insulation materials were | | | | - Aviation Boatswain's Mate (AB) |
| used on Navy ships during World War II, the | | | | - Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Launch & |
| Korean Conflict and the Viet Nam era. Its use | | | | Recovery)(ABE) |
| was so widespread that most Navy veterans | | | | - Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Aircraft |
| were exposed to asbestos in some way. | | | | Handler)(ABH) |
| Prior to the 1980s, asbestos insulation was ever | | | | - Aviation Machinist's Mate (Jet Engine Mechanic) |
| present throughout ships-for insulating steam | | | | - Aviation Machinist's Mate (Reciprocating Engine |
| pipes and fittings, fireproofing doors and even for | | | | Mechanic)(ADR) |
| muffling sound between decks. For decades, it | | | | - Aviation Electrician's Mate (AE) (After 1948) |
| was difficult not to be exposed to asbestos | | | | - Aviation Metalsmith (AM)(Before 1948) |
| insulation on board Naval vessels. Asbestos lined | | | | - Aviation Structural Mechanic (AM)(After 1948) |
| the pipes all over the ships, even pipes that ran | | | | - Aviation Structural Mechanic (Safety |
| just inches above the beds in the sailors' sleeping | | | | Equipment)(AME) |
| quarters. Further, the crews customarily stayed | | | | - Aviation Structural Mechanic (Hydraulics)(AMH) |
| on board the ships during routine maintenance | | | | - Aviation Structural Mechanic (Structures)(AMS) |
| operations, living and working as asbestos | | | | - Aviation Radioman (ARM) |
| insulation was repaired or replaced nearby in | | | | - Aviation Support Equipment Technician |
| various areas of the ships. At times, the crews | | | | (AS)(After 1965) |
| even remained aboard as ships were completely | | | | - Aviation Electronics Technician (AT) |
| overhauled for months at a time in dry docks. | | | | - Aviation Antisubmarine Warfare Operator (AW) |
| Even when a person's job did not require direct | | | | - Builder (BU) |
| handling of asbestos, it was very easy to become | | | | - Construction Driver (CD) |
| exposed when asbestos was disturbed all over | | | | - Construction Electrician's Mate (CE) |
| the ship during an extensive overhaul. | | | | - Constructionman (CN) |
| Navy personnel with the most significant risk for | | | | - Electrician's Mate (EM) |
| asbestos exposure were those who labored | | | | - Engineman (EN) |
| without ventilation in the ships' confined areas, | | | | - Electronics Technician (ET) |
| such as fire and engine rooms where insulation | | | | - Gas Turbine System Technician |
| and refractory products were used heavily. These | | | | (Mechanical)(GSM) |
| occupations included enginemen, boilermen, | | | | - Interior Communications Electrician (IC) |
| firemen, pipefitters, shipfitters, electrician's mates | | | | - Molder (ML, MI) |
| and machinist mates. Seabees-those engaged in | | | | - Machinist's Mate (MM) |
| military construction-also received heavy | | | | - Motor Machinist's Mate (MoMM) |
| exposure. | | | | - Missile Technician (MT) |
| Indeed, many Navy job classifications posed a | | | | - Painter (Ptr) |
| significant risk for exposure to asbestos. Certainly, | | | | - Steelworker (SW) |
| everyone exposed to asbestos does not develop | | | | - Torpedoman's Mate (TM) |
| mesothelioma. But for those who have been | | | | If you served in the Navy in any of these |
| diagnosed with mesothelioma after service in the | | | | occupations and you are experiencing the |
| Navy, it is important to consider whether | | | | symptoms associated with mesothelioma, you |
| exposure may have occurred during time spent | | | | should contact your physician for a check-up as |
| aboard ship. For those who performed the | | | | soon as possible. Even if you have not |
| following occupations, asbestos exposure was | | | | experienced symptoms, you may want to ask |
| highly likely (the letters following each title signify | | | | your doctor about monitoring your health regularly. |
| the Navy's abbreviation for the job classification): | | | | The prognosis for mesothelioma is best when the |
| - Aviation Fire Control Technician (AQ) | | | | disease is detected early. Unfortunately, this rarely |
| - Boilermaker (BR) | | | | happens, because it takes decades before the |
| - Boilerman (BT) | | | | symptoms of mesothelioma appear. |
