Know About Asbestos In The Navy & Asbestos

Before knowing about Asbestos in The Navy, we should know what is “Asbestos”. Asbestos consists of many uses. There are so many ways of asbestos exposures, and asbestos in the navy is one of them.

Asbestos In The Navy

Asbestos is a flame-retardant and composed of many long as well as thin crystalline fibers. Very small fibers of asbestos are sharp, strong and very harmful for human tissue. Asbestos becomes most dangerous when it is disturbed. When these small fibers are inhaled by people, they can become lodged in the lungs and causing irritation which may ultimately build up into much more serious health concerns.

Asbestos has been associated with numerous life-threatening illnesses, inclusion of lung cancer as well as the aggressive cancer mesothelioma.

There are six types of Asbestos:
Chrysotile
Amosite
Crocidolite
Tremolite
Anthophyllite
Actinolite
Asbestos in the Navy:
Lung cancer and mesothelioma can develop for many years before their symptoms become noticeable, so it is necessary to be aware of asbestos exposure areas.
Navy business used huge quantities of asbestos in ships for much of the twentieth century. Navy veterans who are concerned in the maintenance, construction or demolition of ships are at prominent risk for asbestos-related diseases.

Asbestos appealed to the Navy due to its insulating ability, ability to withstand fire & prevent its spread and least but not last its corrosion-proof nature. There are several applications of ships that require asbestos.

Navy areas of asbestos:
Cramped quarters
Poorly ventilated engine rooms
Contained areas

Asbestos was built into as many places of ship which could possibly be exposed to heat or fire as possible. Gaskets, Insulation and pipe coverings, deck coverings, meters, adhesives and felts are also known to contain asbestos.

Sailors spent much time in the restricted spaces of engine as well as boiler rooms are also at high risk because of the popularity of pipe insulation made from asbestos. Sailors who are sleeping in bunks those were piled below asbestos-covered pipes.

Since a memo was passed around in 1922 the Navy was aware of asbestos’ dangers and asbestos in the navy. This awareness motivates some interest in to prevent the disasters which typically follow asbestos exposure.

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