Women were exposed to asbestos both as servicewomen and spouses of others serving in the military.

While the military has traditionally been male-dominated, women have served and continue to serve in various roles, both on and off the frontlines. And being in the military comes with a heightened chance of being exposed to asbestos, regardless of branch. 





El asbesto no tiene sabor ni olor.

Es posible que no sepa que lo está respirando.

Image Asbestos Stonemasons2 article body

Not just the Navy

Some sectors, such as the Marina, have historically had a higher incidence of exposure, given the prevalence of asbestos in shipbuilding and in other artillery – but no branch is immune. In fact, asbestos has even been found in military housing, meaning service men and women can even be exposed when not on duty. 

Because females frequently serve alongside their male counterparts, they are just as likely to be exposed to this silent killer. Here are a few quick bullet points about asbestos exposure among servicewomen and female spouses in the U.S. military.





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Si cree que estuvo expuesto al asbesto, incluso cuando era niño, hable con un proveedor de atención médica sobre pruebas y exámenes para ayudar a diagnosticar cicatrices pulmonares y detectar enfermedades relacionadas con enfermedades relacionadas con el asbesto.

Asbestos exposure among servicewomen and female spouses in the U.S. military:

  1. Women in Uniform

Women have played crucial roles in the military for decades, serving as soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines. They, too, have faced the risk of asbestos exposure during their service, whether in administrative roles or combat deployments.

  1. Veterans and Health Risks

Female veterans who served in the military and were exposed to asbestos can develop asbestos-related diseases. The impact of these diseases on women, including those who may have borne children post-service, deserves attention and support.

  1. Military Families

Military spouses and children, many of whom are women, are also at risk of secondary asbestos exposure if their loved ones serve in roles that bring them into contact with asbestos. Ensuring their health and well-being is crucial.

  1. Advocacy and Awareness

Women veterans and their advocates are essential in raising awareness of asbestos exposure in the military. They can help push for reforms, increased safety measures, and better support systems for veterans facing asbestos-related health issues.

  1. Prevention and Support

Efforts should be made to prevent asbestos exposure in the military, and resources should be available to support women veterans who may suffer from asbestos-related illnesses. This includes access to healthcare, compensation, and legal assistance if needed.





1 in 5

En estudios de la enfermedad del asbesto, 1 de cada 5 casos de exposición al asbesto fue causado por una exposición secundaria al asbesto.31

The Army is Failing to Keep House ‘Safe’ from Lead Paint, Asbestos

The U.S. Army is facing criticism and concerns over its failure to ensure that family housing is safe from hazardous materials like lead paint and asbestos. These dangerous substances pose significant health risks, especially to children, and the Army’s inability to address this issue is a cause for alarm. 

Image Asbestos 1910 3 article body
Casi todos los edificios construidos antes de mediados de la década de 1980 contenían productos y materiales de construcción de asbesto.
Image Asbestos 1910 2 article body

Practically every building constructed before the mid-1980s contained asbestos materials, sometimes from the roof shingles down to the basement insulation.

The construction industry, in general, commonly used lead paint and asbestos before recognizing health hazards of these toxins. Exposure to lead paint can lead to developmental issues in children and severe health problems in adults. Asbestos exposure is linked to deadly diseases like mesothelioma. 

The failure to address these issues not only jeopardizes the health and safety of military families but also undermines the trust and confidence they have in the Army’s commitment to their well-being. The Army must take immediate and comprehensive action to identify, mitigate, and remove these hazardous materials from military housing.

20% of female mesothelioma cases are from ‘take home’ asbestos exposure.2

Mesothelioma Mortality Rate Among Women

CDC finds that mesothelioma deaths in women rose, many from second-hand asbestos exposure.

Un recent report analyzing malignant mesothelioma mortality in women in the United States between 1999 and 2020 reveals concerning trends. While traditionally considered a disease predominantly affecting men due to occupational asbestos exposure, this study highlights the increasing mortality rates among women. 

The analysis shows a notable rise in mesothelioma-related deaths in women during the two decades under scrutiny. This increase is attributed to secondary asbestos exposure, where women are exposed to asbestos fibers brought home by family members working in high-risk occupations, such as construction or manufacturing. Additionally, non-occupational asbestos exposures, such as living near asbestos-contaminated areas, may also contribute to these rising numbers.





“La evidencia general sugiere que no existe un nivel seguro de exposición al asbesto”. no hay nivel seguro de exposición al asbesto."

Fuente: Instituto Nacional del Cáncer (NIH)3

Image Asbestos Military article body

Understanding Secondary Asbestos Exposure 

Exposición secundaria al asbesto, also known as second-hand asbestos exposure or indirect asbestos exposure, occurs when individuals are exposed to asbestos fibers without working directly with asbestos-containing materials. 

Second-hand asbestos exposure typically occurs in non-occupational settings and can affect individuals who have close contact with someone who works with or around asbestos. Here’s a more in-depth understanding of second-hand asbestos exposure.

“Algunas fibras de asbesto pueden pasar por alto... las defensas naturales de su cuerpo... y alojarse en lo profundo de sus pulmones. Esas fibras pueden permanecer en su lugar durante mucho tiempo y es posible que nunca se eliminen”.

Fuente: Asociación Americana del Pulmón

Types of Second-Hand Asbestos Exposure

  1. Exposición del hogar

Family members of asbestos workers are at risk when asbestos fibers are inadvertently brought home on the clothing, shoes, skin, or hair of the worker. Family members, especially children and spouses, can then inhale or ingest these fibers, leading to health risks.

  1. Environmental Exposure

Living near asbestos mines, factories, or areas with asbestos contamination can also result in secondary exposure. Asbestos fibers released into the air or water can be inhaled or ingested by residents, causing health concerns.

  1. DIY Projects

Engaging in home renovation or construction projects involving asbestos-containing materials, without proper precautions, can expose individuals and even neighbors to asbestos fibers.

  1. Schools and Public Buildings

Teachers, students, and staff in older schools or public buildings may face second-hand exposure if asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) deteriorate or are disturbed during maintenance or renovations.





“Por lo general, quienes desarrollan enfermedades relacionadas con el asbesto no muestran signos de enfermedad durante mucho tiempo después de la exposición”.

Fuente: Instituto Nacional del Cáncer (NIH)4

Second-hand Asbestos Exposure and Children

Exposición al asbesto de segunda mano in children is a particularly concerning issue because children are more vulnerable to the health risks associated with asbestos exposure. 

This type of exposure typically occurs when children come into contact with asbestos fibers brought home by family members who work with or around asbestos-containing materials. Here are some key considerations regarding second-hand asbestos exposure and children:

  1. Increased Vulnerability

Children are more susceptible to the harmful effects of asbestos due to their developing bodies and immune systems. Asbestos exposure at a young age can have long-lasting and severe health consequences.

  1. Common Scenarios

Children can be exposed to asbestos when miembros de la familia, such as parents or caregivers, return home from work at jobs that involve asbestos. The asbestos fibers can be present on clothing, shoes, and even in the hair and skin of the worker, potentially putting children at risk.

  1. Residential Exposure

Living in homes with asbestos-containing materials can also expose children. As materials containing asbestos deteriorate, fibers can become airborne during home renovations or repairs.

  1. Schools and Public Buildings

Children and school staff can face exposure in older schools and public buildings where asbestos-containing materials may still be present. Disturbances during maintenance or renovations can release asbestos fibers into the environment.

  1. Health Risks

Children exposed to secondhand asbestos can develop severe health conditions such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. The latency period for these diseases is often quite long, so symptoms may not manifest until later in life.

Las personas que trabajaron en estas industrias antes de mediados de la década de 1980 tienen un mayor riesgo de desarrollar enfermedades relacionadas con el asbesto:

ConstrucciónFábricasFundicionesRefineríasAstillerosMinería / Molienda
DemoliciónAislamientoTrabajadores del aceroInstalación de tuberíasConstrucción navalMecánicos
Image Asbestos Industrial Job1 article bodyImage Asbestos Industrial Job2 article bodyImage Asbestos Industrial Job3 article body
TechumbreTextilesTrabajadores del hierroCalderasExtinción de incendiosReparación de frenos
PisoCementoElectricistasReparación de juntasFerrocarrilClimatización

Desafortunadamente también lo hacen sus familias.

Conclusion on Military Asbestos Exposure in Women

Whether serving directly in a branch of the military or living with military spouses, women are just as susceptible to asbestos-related illnesses as their male counterparts. Unfortunately, military families with children may also inadvertently expose these children to hazard fibers. 





Compensation is available for asbestos exposure.

Which asbestos claim gets the fastest results?

What are asbestos trusts?

What is the easiest way to get asbestos compensation?




Although asbestos has been largely phased out the aftereffects of its use in the construction industry still linger today, and the military should mandate more stringent efforts to minimize risk among service men, women, and their families. 

Tackling asbestos exposure demands a multi-pronged approach, including strict regulations, safe asbestos removal practices, heightened awareness, and comprehensive support for affected individuals and communities. Only through collective efforts can we mitigate the persistent threat that asbestos poses to public health and safety.

AsbestosClaims.Law

Asbestos claims aren’t just a day in the office for Justinian C. Lane. 

Nuestro fundador, Justinian C. Lane, conoce de primera mano los efectos devastadores del asbesto.

Tanto sus abuelos como su padre, todos trabajadores del asbesto, fallecieron de cánceres inducidos por el asbesto sin darse cuenta de su elegibilidad para juicios por asbesto u otras formas de compensación.

Si usted o sus seres queridos han sufrido como resultado de la exposición al asbesto, podría ser elegible para una compensación considerable. Estos fondos podrían cubrir tratamientos médicos, servicios de remoción de asbestos y salvaguardar su salud.

Además, los fideicomisos de asbesto ofrecen una compensación sin necesidad de un juicio, brindando un camino más rápido y sencillo hacia la justicia.

Comuníquese con nosotros en [email protected] o (206) 455-9190 para obtener ayuda con su reclamo. Ofrecemos escucha compasiva, explicaciones claras y no cobramos un centavo a menos que ganemos su caso.

No hay riesgo ni costo para conectarse con nuestro equipo experimentado sobre sus derechos. Nuestro compromiso con su bienestar significa que no cobramos honorarios a menos que reciba una compensación.

Para más consultas o inquietudes sobre el asbesto, explore nuestro sitio web y página de YouTube, con infografías, videos y respuestas a preguntas comunes sobre temas relacionados con el asbesto.

WARD ayuda a identificar posibles escenarios de exposición, productos que contienen asbesto y puede indicar los tipos y posibles montos de compensación que puede tener derecho a recibir.
No te demores — ponerse en contacto Con nosotras hoy!

Evaluation of the DoD’s Management of Health and Safety Hazards in Government-Owned and Government-Controlled Military Family Housing
Sailors and the Risk of Asbestos-Related Cancer – PMC
Malignant Mesothelioma Mortality in Women — United States, 1999–2020.









1 Tompa E, Kalcevich C, McLeod C, Lebeau M, Song C, McLeod K, et al. La carga económica del cáncer de pulmón y el mesotelioma debido a la exposición ocupacional y paraocupacional al asbesto. Occup Environ Med 2017; 74: 816-22.
2 Tompa E, Kalcevich C, McLeod C, Lebeau M, Song C, McLeod K, et al. La carga económica del cáncer de pulmón y el mesotelioma debido a la exposición ocupacional y paraocupacional al asbesto. Occup Environ Med 2017; 74: 816-22.
3 Instituto Nacional del Cáncer (NIH) Hoja informativa sobre asbesto.
4 Instituto Nacional del Cáncer (NIH), Hoja informativa sobre asbesto.