Asbestos Exposure in the Military | Risks & Compensation Support

Asbestos used to be considered a strategic asset in the UK military due to its fire-resistant, insulating, and durable properties. Since the Second World War, asbestos has been extensively used across all branches of the armed forces. The material could be found in everything from Navy ships and Army vehicles to RAF aircraft and maintenance buildings.

This means that military personnel are likely to have been exposed to asbestos and its toxins, which may have caused underlying health conditions.

Key Applications of Asbestos in the Military

Military Equipment / Structure	Common Asbestos Use
Naval vessels	Boiler rooms, pipe insulation, engine gaskets
Aircraft hangars	Roof panels, insulation, brake pads
Army vehicles	Brake linings, clutch facings, heat shields
Military housing	Roof tiles, insulation, floor tiles
Barracks and training centres	Fireproofing, wall coatings, cement sheets

Asbestos was widely available and inexpensive, making it a standard material choice in both combat and non-combat infrastructure. At the time, its health risks were either unknown or downplayed, leading to decades of unprotected exposure for thousands of military personnel.

Many service members were exposed not only during deployment, but also in base maintenance, mechanical repairs, or while living in contaminated quarters.

Military Roles Most at Risk of Asbestos Exposure

Within the UK armed forces, certain roles involved direct and prolonged exposure to asbestos-containing materials (ACMs). These were typically technical or operational positions where individuals regularly worked with machinery, infrastructure, or environments where asbestos was present.

Those most at risk of asbestos exposure included:

Royal Navy personnel, especially engineers and shipbuilders, who often worked in confined engine rooms and boiler spaces heavily insulated with asbestos.
RAF technicians and aircraft engineers who came into contact with asbestos in brake systems, engine parts, and hangar insulation.
Army mechanics, vehicle technicians, and base maintenance crews, who handled equipment with asbestos-based components or worked in older buildings containing asbestos materials.

Asbestos exposure was rarely an isolated moment. Many veterans experienced chronic, low-level exposure over a prolonged period of time, much of the time, without proper respiratory protection or awareness of the risks involved.

Common Asbestos-Related Illnesses

For many veterans, asbestos exposure did not result in immediate symptoms. Health complications often appeared decades later, typically after service had ended. The most serious illnesses linked to asbestos exposure are progressive and, in many cases, life-limiting.

Key Illnesses Linked to Military Asbestos Exposure:

Mesothelioma: A rare and aggressive cancer that develops in the lining of the lungs or abdomen. It is almost exclusively caused by asbestos exposure and often diagnosed at a late stage due to subtle early symptoms.
Asbestosis: A chronic lung condition caused by long-term inhalation of asbestos fibres, leading to scarring of the lung tissue. This results in progressive shortness of breath and reduced lung capacity.
Lung Cancer Veterans who were also smokers face an increased risk, as smoking and asbestos exposure together significantly amplify the likelihood of developing lung cancer.

These illnesses can take, in some cases, years to manifest, meaning many former service personnel only become aware of the impact long after their military careers have ended.

Because of the long latency period, diagnosis is often delayed, which can limit treatment options and make it more difficult to trace the source of exposure.

MOD Responsibility for Asbestos Exposure and Illness

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has a history of using asbestos. For much of the 20th century, asbestos was a standard material across military infrastructure. However, evidence suggests that by the 1960s and 70s, the health risks were increasingly understood, yet the use of asbestos continued in many areas.

Timeline of MOD Awareness and Duty

Period	MOD Actions or Inactions
Pre-1965	Asbestos use is widespread; limited internal guidance
1965–1980	Health risks are increasingly documented, but use persists
1980s onward	Gradual reduction of asbestos; lack of proactive removal
Post-1990s	Increased focus on asbestos safety and containment policies

Despite being aware of the dangers, there were few safety measures implemented for personnel, especially in technical and maintenance roles.

Many veterans were never informed about the risks they were exposed to or given the opportunity for health screenings during or after their service.

Support and Compensation for Veterans Exposed to Asbestos

Veterans affected by asbestos-related conditions have a legal right to pursue support, compensation, and medical assistance. There are several pathways available depending on when the exposure occurred, the diagnosis, and the branch of service.

Potential Compensation Routes for Veterans Affected by Asbestos

Government Compensation Schemes Veterans may be eligible for support through the War Pensions Scheme or Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS). These schemes are designed for illnesses caused by service before and after 6 April 2005, respectively.
Legal Claims Against the MOD While Crown Immunity has historically restricted claims, legal exceptions now allow veterans (or their families) to seek compensation where negligence can be proven, especially for post-1987 exposure.
Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB) In some cases, veterans can also claim through civilian industrial disease schemes, particularly if they were exposed during MOD-employed civilian work or post-service roles.

Early diagnosis and documentation are essential. Veterans are advised to seek medical assessments and maintain detailed service records to support any claim.

How We Help at Veterans Welfare Group

Veterans Welfare Group, we are committed to supporting former service members affected by asbestos-related health conditions. Our goal is to ensure that no veteran faces these challenges alone, whether they need help navigating a complex claims process or understanding their legal rights.

We Can Help veterans by providing:

Guidance on Claims and Entitlements: Our team assists with claims under the War Pensions Scheme, AFCS, and other government support systems. We also offer referrals to legal experts for those considering a civil claim.
Information on Medical and Diagnostic Support: We help veterans access appropriate screenings, identify symptoms, and understand their options for treatment and care planning.
Community-Based Support: We believe in peer support. Connecting with others who’ve experienced similar issues can be vital for wellbeing and resilience.

If you suspect that your illness may be linked to asbestos exposure during your service, we encourage you to get in touch. The earlier you act, the better we can help.

Conclusion

Asbestos exposure within the UK military can often be overlooked as a risk to veterans’ health. Many service members came into contact with this hazardous material without being aware of or protected from it, and are now facing the consequences years later.

At Veterans Welfare Group, we’re here to provide practical support, reliable information, and a community that understands what you’re going through.