Military Asbestos Exposure: Q&A With U.S. Veteran Jonathan Nelson Posted on May 19, 2026May 19, 2026 by Christopher Dryfoos 5 Min Read Those serving in the U.S. military risk their lives to defend America. Yet U.S. veterans serving between the 1930s and early 1980s were put in danger by a foe hidden in plain sight: asbestos. All branches of the U.S. military relied on asbestos products to keep vehicles, bases, and ships fireproof and insulated. Anyone who was exposed to asbestos during military service can develop mesothelioma, an aggressive cancer with no cure, later in life. At the Mesothelioma Veterans Center, we help veterans more clearly understand the risks of asbestos exposure, and we’re here to support them after a cancer diagnosis. Leading the charge is Jonathan Nelson, a VA-accredited attorney and a retired U.S. Marine Corps major. Major Nelson has spent over 20 years fighting for justice and can help determine when, where, and how U.S. veterans with mesothelioma were exposed to asbestos while serving. He uses this information to help them pursue VA benefits and access other types of support. Below, Major Nelson has answered questions about the risks of military asbestos exposure and the resources available to U.S. veterans facing mesothelioma. If you have more questions about military asbestos exposure, we're here to answer them. Ask Major Nelson your mesothelioma questions now. Q: What should I know about military asbestos exposure? If you served in the military decades ago, you were at a greater risk of asbestos exposure. The military purchased many asbestos-containing materials for use throughout its branches and different assets. Most U.S. Navy ships built through the early 1980s used asbestos in insulation, gaskets, and boilers. Aircraft and land vehicles also had asbestos in heat shields and engine linings. And facilities on military bases were built with asbestos materials like fireproofing and cement. Working with asbestos-containing materials could have released fibers into the air, and breathing in or swallowing them could lead to mesothelioma decades later. A mesothelioma diagnosis can be devastating, but support is available. The VA knows that asbestos exposure affected many U.S. veterans, and they offer a wide range of benefits like monthly disability payouts and health care coverage. I’m able to help you pinpoint your asbestos exposure and prepare claims for VA benefits based on mesothelioma for free. Q: Why was asbestos used in the military? The U.S. military was told that asbestos was a cheap and safe way to keep its ships, bases, and vehicles insulated and durable. In many cases, military regulations actually required the use of asbestos-containing products in new construction. Military leaders didn’t know about the dangers of asbestos because manufacturers didn’t reveal the known risks. In many cases, they actually covered them up for decades. By the time the U.S. military figured out what was going on, millions of service members had already risked exposure. So if you worked with or around asbestos during your time in the military, you probably didn't even know that it was harmful. As a result, U.S. veterans account for a third of all patients diagnosed with mesothelioma today. Q: How does military asbestos exposure cause mesothelioma? If you were exposed to asbestos in the military decades ago, you are at risk of getting sick with mesothelioma. Working with or around products like insulation, floor tiles, and gaskets during your service could have released asbestos fibers into the air. You may have breathed them in without noticing. These fibers can get stuck in your body and cause mesothelioma tumors to form many years later. There’s no known cause of mesothelioma other than asbestos exposure, so if you've been diagnosed, it means that you came in contact with this toxic substance at some point earlier in your life. You may not remember exactly how you were exposed to asbestos during your time in the service. That’s where our team comes in. We have a warehouse of information about military buildings, ships, and products that contained asbestos. We can use this to find out when and where you were exposed and help you file for the VA benefits you need. Q: What are some symptoms of mesothelioma in U.S. veterans? Common symptoms of mesothelioma include shortness of breath, chest pain, weight loss, and a cough that doesn’t go away. Mesothelioma symptoms usually don't develop until a veteran is 50, 70, or even 80 years old. But if you were exposed to asbestos, you have to keep an eye out for these symptoms your whole life. When I speak with other U.S. veterans who may have been exposed to asbestos, I recommend that they speak with a doctor regularly as they get older. Doing so can potentially help diagnose mesothelioma earlier. Veterans should also keep a good record of what they did in the service, including where they served, what ships they worked on, and what their duty stations were. This can help make it easier to file a VA asbestos claim. Q: How did asbestos exposure in the Army occur? U.S. Army asbestos exposure was common for many service members stationed on bases or working on vehicles or aircraft. U.S. Army vehicles like trucks and jeeps were contaminated with asbestos due to gaskets, engines, and brake pads in particular. These products used asbestos for insulation and fireproofing. Mechanics would've been exposed to asbestos used in many of those products, especially brake linings and heat shields. Dozens of U.S. Army bases and buildings also contained asbestos products like cement, insulation, boilers, and HVAC systems. Service members helping with the construction of those structures could have been exposed when asbestos-containing materials were handled and released fibers into the air. It wasn't just soldiers who were in danger from asbestos on bases. Families living in military housing were also at risk of exposure. And when soldiers came home after working with asbestos products, they may have unknowingly brought asbestos fibers home with them. Q: What Navy ships had asbestos? Practically all U.S. Navy ships and submarines built from the 1930s into the 1980s contained asbestos products. Asbestos was in everything from floor and ceiling tiles to the insulation used to fireproof vessels and cover exposed pipes. Navy ships were often cramped, so if asbestos was disturbed, it was easy for the fibers to remain in the air for a long time. Some of those at the highest risk of exposure aboard Navy ships had to work with asbestos materials daily, such as boiler tenders, pipefitters, and electricians. U.S. Navy shipyard workers were also routinely exposed to asbestos-containing products since they had to build and service vessels. In fact, the air in shipyards was often thick with contaminated dust. Q: When did the military stop using asbestos? The U.S. military stopped using asbestos in new bases, ships, and other assets starting in the early 1980s. This happened once mesothelioma and other health risks of asbestos were revealed to the general public. Asbestos is no longer used in new military buildings, vehicles, or ships. Most asbestos has been removed, but cleanup is still ongoing, especially in aging barracks and bases. However, there’s no way to lower the risk of developing mesothelioma after asbestos exposure. U.S. veterans who were exposed earlier in life are still in danger of getting sick. Q: When was asbestos removed from Navy ships? Major renovation efforts beginning in the 1980s helped remove asbestos from most U.S. Navy ships. Many ships built with asbestos have also been sunk, sold, or scrapped over time. Today, only a small number of older ships still contain asbestos. The Navy monitors asbestos aboard these vessels to make sure it stays in good condition and doesn’t pose a threat to service members. With all of that said, Navy veterans who were exposed to asbestos on ships decades ago are in danger of mesothelioma even now. No U.S. veteran deserves a mesothelioma diagnosis. We can’t give you your health back, but we can help you file a VA claim for free, connect with top doctors, and pursue additional compensation for your family. We’re Here to Help After Military Asbestos Exposure U.S. veterans across the country came into contact with asbestos while serving, never knowing that they were put at risk of mesothelioma later in life. If you've developed mesothelioma after serving in the U.S. military, Major Nelson and the rest of our team are ready to walk you through your options. We can help with: Determining your asbestos exposure Filing for VA benefits Getting health care Pursuing legal compensation Call (877) 450-8973 or ask Major Nelson your mesothelioma questions now to get support.