Asbestos Use on Air Force Bases
Before the health hazards came to light, asbestos was commonly used on military bases for its durability, versatility, and resistance to fire, water, and sound. It was also inexpensive and easy to obtain, making it a go-to choice for all kinds of construction materials and maintenance projects.
Like each of the other major American military branches — the Navy, Army, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard — the U.S. Air Force used asbestos on its bases, putting anyone stationed on them in danger.
If a person inhales or swallows asbestos fibers, they can settle in the body, slowly causing damage and asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma — a rare form of cancer that does not currently have a cure.
Whether you worked on planes during your military service or lived on an Air Force base with your family, Mesothelioma Hope provides a wide range of support services for illnesses caused by asbestos exposure.
Our team of Patient Advocates and fellow veterans can help you pursue financial compensation, free or low-cost health care services, and other benefits.
Get more information by downloading our Free Veterans Compensation Guide.
Air Force Bases That Contained Asbestos
Given how popular asbestos was, it’s no surprise that the material was used to build and maintain over 100 U.S. Air Force bases prior to the early 1980s.
Here are a few Air Force bases that were built on American soil and contained asbestos.
Chanute Air Force Base (Rantoul, Illinois)
Chanute Air Force Base was built during World War II. Following the war, the base pivoted to ground training during the following decades and ended flight operations in 1971.
Among the highest areas of asbestos risk on Chanute Air Force Base were the steam plant, steam tunnel vaults, and White Hall. The U.S. Air Force agreed to conduct asbestos abatement on these structures before demolishing them in 2015.
Lowry Air Force Base (Denver)
Established in 1935, Lowry Air Force Base was used as an airfield and training base, with flight operations taking place until 1966. The base was formally closed in 1994.
In 2004, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (DPHE) ordered the U.S. Air Force to begin asbestos testing and abatement.
Griffiss Air Force Base (Rome, New York)
Griffiss Air Force Base began operating in 1943 and was used for repairing and maintaining aircraft and storing supplies during World War II. Griffiss Air Force Base was closed in 1995.
A significant amount of toxins were stored on base and then disposed of in landfills nearby. This led to environmental and public health concerns.
With the discovery of contaminated underground wells in the nearby town of Floyd in the 1980s, the government began decontamination efforts that were completed in December 2021.
U.S. veterans who were exposed to asbestos could develop diseases like mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer decades later. Call (866) 608-8933 to get help after a diagnosis. View Transcript.
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Veterans who served in the military between the 1930s and the 1980s were likely exposed to asbestos while they were on active duty.
Usually, if you’ve developed an asbestos-related disease, you developed that disease because you had an excessive amount of exposure to asbestos.
If a veteran believes they were exposed to asbestos while serving in the military, we encourage them to call MesotheliomaHope.com so that we can work together to help them file for VA benefits.
The VA will recognize any asbestos-related disease as long as your asbestos exposure happened while you were on active duty in the military.
In addition to VA benefits, MesotheliomaHope.com can connect veterans with world-renowned physicians and nurses on staff that can answer any of your treatment questions. We encourage veterans to call and find out how we can help them.
International U.S. Air Force Bases
Most states have been home to a U.S. Air Force base at some point, and any of those bases could have contained asbestos prior to the early 1980s.
However, not all U.S. Air Force bases were built on American land.
The U.S. military also built Air Force bases in other countries, including:
- Germany
- Guam
- Italy
- Japan
- Korea
- United Kingdom
In 2024, U.S. military publication Stars and Stripes noted that a $4.9 million renovation job at Aviano Air Force base in Italy was put on indefinite hold after asbestos was found.
How Was Asbestos Used on Air Forces Bases?
Asbestos was a cheap and versatile building material used extensively on U.S. Air Force bases for insulation, fireproofing, and soundproofing. It could be found in structures ranging from barracks to mess halls to aircraft hangars.
Asbestos was used in many aspects of U.S. Air Force bases, including:
- Adhesives
- Caulking
- Ceiling tiles and floor tiles
- Drywall
- Fireproofing materials
- Heat shields
- HVAC systems
- Insulation materials
- Paint
- Pipes
- Plumbing
- Roofing
Asbestos was also used in the aircraft stationed on Air Force bases, which presented additional risks for those who lived and worked on base.
Asbestos was used in many military aircraft parts, such as:
- Brakes and brake pads
- Clutches
- Electrical wiring
- Engines
- Gaskets
- Heating systems
- Tires
- Torque valves
You can learn much more about asbestos exposure and the products that contained this dangerous substance in our Free Asbestos Guide.
Air Force Personnel at Risk of Asbestos Exposure
Anyone who has spent time on a U.S. Air Force base may have been exposed to asbestos. This includes military members and their families. However, service members in certain roles were more likely to encounter asbestos.
Air Force personnel at the highest risk of asbestos exposure included:
- Aircraft mechanics
- Airmen
- Boilermakers
- Carpenters
- Construction workers
- Electricians
- Engineers
- Firefighters
- Insulators
- Pipefitters
- Plumbers
- Welders
Individuals who had more hands-on experience with asbestos — and spent time in areas with high concentrations of asbestos — are more likely to develop diseases like mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer.
Family members may also be at risk from secondhand exposure to asbestos. For example, spouses or children may have unknowingly breathed in asbestos fibers that a relative brought home on their hair, skin, or clothing.
VA Benefits for Veterans Exposed to Asbestos on Air Force Bases
The U.S. military never meant to subject its service members to dangerous materials, but manufacturers of asbestos-containing products chose profits over lives.
However, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides Air Force veterans with mesothelioma several types of resources and relief.
Veterans with mesothelioma may be entitled to VA benefits, including:
- Health care: Veterans with mesothelioma may be able to access free or low-cost VA health care from the nation’s top cancer doctors.
- Pensions: Air Force veterans with mesothelioma may be able to receive a VA pension based on their financial need and service history.
- Special Monthly Compensation (SMC): SMC payouts help veterans with special health needs pay for in-home care and transportation.
- VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (VA DIC): Surviving spouses and children of military veterans may be eligible for tax-exempt monthly DIC payments.
- VA Disability Compensation: Most U.S. Air Force veterans with mesothelioma qualify for 100% disability compensation and may receive over $4,000 a month in tax-free payments as of 2025.
With the help of a mesothelioma lawyer, U.S. Air Force veterans with mesothelioma can pursue legal compensation too while still accessing VA benefits.
Other forms of mesothelioma compensation include:
- Asbestos trust funds: Manufacturers of asbestos-based products were required to set up trust funds for people who developed health conditions after exposure to their dangerous products. These trust funds currently contain over $30 billion in compensation.
- Lawsuits: Although the value of a case depends on a number of factors, private mesothelioma lawsuits typically award veterans settlements of about $1 million. Note that these types of lawsuits are filed against the manufacturers of asbestos-containing materials — not the U.S. government or Air Force.
VA benefits and other types of asbestos compensation can help reduce veterans’ financial stress, improve their health, and make life easier on their families.
We can determine if you qualify for asbestos trust fund compensation — get started right now.
Get Help Filing for Veterans Benefits
The VA offers a number of benefits that help veterans and their loved ones deal with serious diseases like mesothelioma more effectively and comfortably.
If you are a veteran or a veteran’s family member who developed mesothelioma after being exposed to asbestos on an Air Force base, don’t wait to apply for benefits — the sooner you file, the sooner you can start receiving aid.
Mesothelioma Hope can help you determine your eligibility and file claims for financial compensation, low-cost or free health care, and other forms of assistance.
To see if you qualify for VA benefits, call us at (866) 608-8933 today.
Asbestos on Air Force Bases
Why was a dangerous material like asbestos used on U.S. Air Force bases?
Unfortunately, the health risks of asbestos were not known to the U.S. military or the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) until the material had already been in widespread use.
Although the manufacturers of asbestos-containing products were aware of the health risks, they hid the truth and deceived the military in order to protect their business interests.
If you take legal action after your mesothelioma diagnosis, it will be against these negligent companies and not the U.S. government or its military branches.
When did the Air Force stop using asbestos?
The U.S. Air Force stopped using asbestos in the 1980s once it became aware of the dangers.
However, despite efforts by the government to remove asbestos from existing military bases and equipment, active members of the U.S. Air Force may still have a small risk of trace exposure on certain military bases.
Can you get VA disability for asbestos exposure?
Yes, you or a veteran you love can access VA disability compensation if you developed mesothelioma from exposure to asbestos on Air Force bases.
The VA awards over $4,000 a month as of 2025 in disability compensation to veterans with mesothelioma.
Download our Free Veterans Compensation Guide to see how much you could receive.
What military bases had asbestos?
Over 100 U.S. Air Force bases were contaminated by asbestos between the 1930s and early 1980s, including Chanute Air Force Base, Griffiss Air Force Base, and Lowry Air Force Base.
At the time, asbestos was thought to be a safe construction material — but exposure can lead to life-threatening cancers like mesothelioma later in life.
Does the VA offer benefits for veterans with mesothelioma caused by asbestos on Air Force bases?
Yes. The VA offers several types of benefits to military veterans with mesothelioma.
These benefits may include financial compensation and free or lower-cost medical care through the VA health care system for veterans and their family members.
Call (866) 608-8933 for help accessing VA benefits if you were exposed to asbestos on an Air Force base and later developed mesothelioma.
How do I file a mesothelioma claim with the VA?
U.S. Air Force veterans can apply for VA benefits in person, online, or by mail.
In order to receive benefits after a mesothelioma diagnosis, you must:
- Be diagnosed with mesothelioma
- Have been exposed to asbestos while in the U.S. military
- Have not been dishonorably discharged
- Submit the necessary paperwork to prove the above facts
Fortunately, an experienced mesothelioma law firm can make this process as easy and stress-free as possible.
How much is a mesothelioma case worth?
Each mesothelioma case is different, and the value depends on a range of factors. However, many veterans with mesothelioma have received millions of dollars by taking legal action against negligent product manufacturers.
Based on recent legal reports, mesothelioma settlements award victims between $1 million and $1.4 million on average. Cases that go to trial can pay out anywhere from $5 million to $11.4 million or more if the court rules in favor of the mesothelioma victim.
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