Editing Military Exposure Overview (section)

== Special Populations: Who Else Is Affected? ==

=== Women Veterans ===

Women veterans faced the same asbestos exposure as men in similar occupations. Myra Harwood, a Navy veteran who served at Pearl Harbor from 1978-1985, developed mesothelioma and successfully pursued compensation after documenting her exposure to asbestos dust throughout her naval facilities.

No comprehensive studies exist on gender-specific mesothelioma rates among veterans, but women who served in contaminated facilities face the same disease risk as male veterans.

=== Reserve and National Guard ===

Weekend drill exposure at armories and training facilities created asbestos risk for Reserve and Guard members. The 9/11 toxic dust cloud demonstrated that even '''single exposure events''' can cause mesothelioma—a 2022 American Cancer Society study found that '''9 individuals developed mesothelioma''' after 9/11 exposure alone.

=== Military Families ===

[https://www.mesotheliomalawyercenter.org/blog/veterans-mesothelioma-benefits/ Family members living on military bases] or with service members faced secondary exposure through:<ref>[https://dandell.com/mesothelioma/veteran-mesothelioma/asbestos-exposure-navy-shipyards/ Asbestos Exposure in Navy Shipyards], Danziger & De Llano</ref>

* Asbestos fibers carried home on uniforms, shoes, and equipment
* Contaminated base housing (a 2020 DoD Inspector General report found "systematic deficiencies" in asbestos management)
* Environmental exposure from deteriorating base structures

Families may qualify for VA survivor benefits and can pursue independent legal claims against asbestos manufacturers.