Destroyer Ships & Asbestos Exposure

The destroyer was a fast, maneuverable warship built to escort larger vessels in a fleet. Destroyer ships defended the fleet from smaller attackers, such as torpedo boats, submarines, and aircrafts. In comparison to cruisers, destroyers were equivalent in weight, but drastically superior in firepower.

Sailors stationed on destroyer warships were often surrounded by asbestos-containing materials. Navy personnel not only came into contact with asbestos fibers in engine rooms, but all throughout the ship as well. The slightest bump into an area containing asbestos materials could stir toxic dust particles into the air. Even walls, ceilings, and a multitude of various rooms harbored asbestos materials.

Asbestos is a fibrous material that was used primarily for insulation and fireproofing on older vessels. Inhaling asbestos fibers has the potential to cause a variety of pulmonary disorders, including asbestosis, which causes the lungs to harden. Mesothelioma is another illness that asbestos causes, which is a type of cancer that develops in the mesothelial cells found in the body. Any length of exposure to asbestos can be hazardous and may result in the development of asbestos-related diseases later in life.

Mesothelioma News

Inventor of Mesothelioma Treatment Alimta Donates $1 Million for Research
2009-01-05 15:10:49
Edward C. Taylor, who invented one of the world's most effective anti-cancer drugs, has recently contributed $1 Million to the chemistry department at Hamilton College. He and his wife Virginia decide ...Read More
How Asbestos Exposure Affects the Body and Causes Mesothelioma
2009-01-02 17:11:45
The naturally occurring mineral asbestos was used in a variety of construction materials throughout much of the twentieth century. This unique mineral is fire-resistant and acts as an excellent insula ...Read More
Mesothelioma Treatment Gets Boost with New Diagnostic Test
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Israeli-based MicroRNA company, Rosetta Genomics, has made a giant leap in cancer diagnosis by announcing the commercial availability of its third diagnostic test, miRview (TM) meso. This breakthro ...Read More