ccording to recent news reports, veterans who served during World War II are at a heightened risk of developing mesothelioma cancer, which is conclusively caused by asbestos exposure. According to the federal government and EPA, asbestos usage laws were not enacted until the 1980’s. Naval ships constructed before the 1980’s used high levels of asbestos-containing materials, as the dangers of the deadly fibers had not yet been recognized.

Those individuals and workers who repaired and maintained naval ships built before this time may have, without their knowledge, been exposed to significant levels of the toxin contained in asbestos materials. Asbestos materials were used on WWII-era ships in insulation and floor and ceiling tiles.

The Mesothelioma and Asbestos Center issued a press release this week that stated that it can take up to 50 years for mesothelioma to develop following exposure, and the average age of veterans who are diagnosed with this disease is between 50 and 70 years.

Many WWII veterans that lived aboard these naval ships are just now beginning to develop the deadly disease, and those who are concerned about exposure should consult with a doctor and monitor their respiratory health.

This entry was posted on Friday, October 3rd, 2008 at 8:57 am and is filed under news. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.