Guest opinion: Honoring veterans means recognizing lasting health risks of asbestos exposure – Wisconsin Watch

Guest opinion: Honoring veterans means recognizing lasting health risks of asbestos exposure  Wisconsin Watch

Asbestos exposure in military service can lead to serious diseases later. Cristina Johnson urges more recognition of vets’ risks in lung cancer screening. Military service can carry health risks that last long after a veteran leaves uniform. For Navy veterans, years spent aboard ships, working below deck or stationed at military bases may have brought exposure to hazardous materials with consequences decades later. That is why, following our nation’s celebration of the Navy’s birthday on Oct. 13, we should remember that honoring veterans means more than commemorating their service. It also means recognizing the health challenges they may continue to face long after their service. Wisconsin Weekly pulls together the stories that mattered from Wisconsin Watch and other trusted outlets — so you don't have to hunt for them.

One concern is lung cancer and other diseases associated with asbestos, a hazardous mineral widely used aboard naval vessels and in military facilities, including during World War II, because of its durability and insulating properties. Many service members worked with or around asbestos without knowing the risks, potentially exposing themselves to diseases that can take decades to develop. That long latency makes it important to consider exposure histories when assessing veterans’ long-term health. It also raises questions about whether current screening guidelines adequately account for veterans who may be at risk,