Raising awareness about asbestos exposure risks among veterans in Newport Beach.
Veterans in Newport Beach are experiencing increased health risks due to asbestos exposure from military service and local construction. The area has the highest rate of asbestos-related mortality in the nation, prompting calls for better claims processing and support for affected veterans. The PACT Act was enacted to ease benefits access, but challenges remain. Many veterans may not receive aid in a timely manner, complicating their healthcare needs amidst a climate of growing advocacy for improved management and awareness of toxic exposure risks.
Newport Beach, California – Veterans in Newport Beach are confronting heightened health risks due to asbestos exposure, a concern that has grown as the intricate claims process for benefits remains a hurdle. The legacy of asbestos use in military and civil construction in the United States has left lasting impacts on the health of veterans, many of whom served in the Navy and Air Force.
Historically, asbestos was widely used in the United States, particularly after the Great Depression and following World War II. By the 1970s, approximately 1.4 billion pounds of asbestos were consumed annually, with the U.S. military significantly contributing to this figure. Navy Liberty Ships, a vital part of World War II, featured extensive use of asbestos, often without any awareness of its hazardous long-term health effects.
Aside from Navy veterans, members of the Army and Air Force were also susceptible to asbestos exposure during the construction of various military bases and facilities. The inhalation or ingestion of asbestos does not cause immediate health problems, complicating the establishment of a direct correlation between asbestos exposure and diseases such as lung cancer and mesothelioma—an incurable cancer strongly associated with asbestos.
Data emerging from investigations has revealed that veterans who served on Navy ships after 1950 are six times more likely to develop mesothelioma. Furthermore, veterans show a 50% increased chance of developing lung cancers compared to the general population, largely attributed to past asbestos exposure during the Cold War era.
Newport Beach currently holds the alarming designation of having the highest rate of asbestos-related mortality in the nation, with 27,080 cases documented from 1999 to 2017. The surrounding Orange County region ranks third in significant asbestos-related deaths, recording 2,374 cases—averaging 129 fatalities per year. Many military bases established in the area post-World War II heavily utilized asbestos, further placing local veterans and civilians at risk.
Environmental threats continue to arise; a recent fire at a decommissioned Air Force hangar released hazardous asbestos fibers into the atmosphere. Currently, Newport Beach is home to 3,377 veterans, a notable number of whom may have been exposed to asbestos-related risks during their military service.
In an attempt to address these concerns, the PACT Act was enacted in 2022, recognizing asbestos as a presumptive causal agent for multiple serious health conditions, including lung cancer and mesothelioma. This development allows more veterans easier access to benefits associated with these severe health issues. However, challenges persist within the claims process due to mismanagement, including over $7 million that was wrongly granted because of inaccurate assessment dates.
Aside from mismanagement, veterans also face extremely lengthy claim processing times that seem unresponsive to their current healthcare needs. Many veterans encountering chronic illnesses linked to other toxic agents, such as PFAS and VOCs, find difficulty obtaining presumptive benefits. This is particularly frustrating considering emerging research that confirms the adverse effects of these hazardous materials, which remain excluded from presumptive causation lists.
The call for a more efficient and transparent claims processing system is growing. Advocates stress the need for policies that align evolving scientific findings with veterans’ healthcare requirements to appropriately prioritize the health and dignity of those who have served. Transitioning toward a more adaptive approach in benefits management is crucial, given the proven risks associated with exposure to both asbestos and other toxic agents.
The significance of advocacy in this context is reflected in the work of organizations focused on educating veterans about the risks posed by asbestos and assisting them in navigating the complicated claims process. With the continued need for improvements in claims management, the health of Newport Beach’s veteran community depends on prompt action to resolve these longstanding issues.
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