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During the period from the 1930s through to the 1970s, the US military depended heavily on the use of asbestos for many of their equipments. This was due to the many qualities of asbestos. Asbestos provided them with one material that was readily available, cheap, flexible and had high thermal resistance. As a result, it was utilized in many cases where there was a need for providing insulation without compromising weight. Many applications of asbestos within the military during that era ranged from insulating pipes, making ducting, clutches, boiler insulation and airplanes. In fact, studies show that the military used asbestos in over 250 different products.
Mesothelioma cancer is an illness that causes cancerous tumors to grow in the mesothelium which is the thin lining that surrounds internal organs in the body. The certain kinds of mesothelioma are named after the tissue where the tumors started. For example Pleural mesothelioma cancer begins in the chest in the pleura which surrounds the lungs.
There is lots of information out there about asbestos, but not all really appreciate the damage it causes to the public at large. If its dangers were truly understood at the time of it popularity by the general public maybe it would not have been use as it was throughout the country.
Veterans are the group of Americans that are the most affected by mesothelioma because asbestos was used by the United States military in a myriad of ways. Since the 30s the arm forces made use of tons of asbestos materials in every type of construction, repair and upkeep. Also every form of locomotion uses the substance military trains, planes, tracked vehicles and cars had asbestos in them.
Washington State has several natural deposits of asbestos its center and pacific northwestern regions. Also present in the state are both hydroelectric and nuclear power plants. Asbestos-related occupations such as power plants put workers at high risk of asbestos exposure. Asbestos is used as a retardant to heat, flames, and overwhelming heat levels. It is also resistant to chemicals and non conduit to electrical current.