What asbestos is and why it matters
Asbestos is a group of six natural minerals made of tough, heat-resistant fibers. It was used in insulation, roofing, flooring, cement, pipes, brakes and many other products. When those materials are disturbed, tiny fibers can be breathed in and lodge in the body.
The EPA issued a ban in 1989, but a court struck down most of it in 1991. In March 2024 the EPA banned ongoing uses of chrysotile asbestos, the only type still known to be used or imported in the United States.
Who may be affected
The highest risks have been in jobs with regular, direct contact, such as shipbuilding, insulation work, construction, demolition, and asbestos mining and milling. Firefighters, auto workers and people who removed asbestos have also been exposed. Family members have been exposed through dust carried home on work clothes. People who renovate or tear down older homes and buildings can also be exposed if asbestos materials are disturbed without proper precautions.
Many veterans were exposed during service, including in shipyards and in construction and demolition work.
Mesothelioma, lung cancer and other illnesses
Mesothelioma is a rare cancer of the thin lining that covers the lungs, chest wall and abdomen. Asbestos is its best-known cause. According to the National Cancer Institute, asbestos also causes lung cancer and cancers of the larynx (voice box) and ovary. Asbestosis, a scarring of the lungs, is another asbestos-related disease.
Smoking and asbestos together raise lung cancer risk more than either one alone. Because symptoms can take 10 to 40 years or more to appear, it helps to tell your doctor about any past exposure.
Where things stand (as of October 2026)
The EPA's 2024 chrysotile ban has been challenged in a federal appeals court, the Fifth Circuit, which heard arguments in June 2026. The EPA has said it would reconsider parts of the rule, and no ruling had been reported in the sources checked as of October 2026. The EPA has also found that asbestos still present in older buildings and products contributes to health risks.
Many companies that made asbestos products went bankrupt and set up trusts to pay current and future claims. A 2011 report by the Government Accountability Office counted 60 such trusts holding about $37 billion. Lawsuits against companies that are still in business also continue.
Deadlines and what to gather
Deadlines for asbestos claims usually run from the date of diagnosis or from when a person learned the illness may be linked to asbestos, and they vary by state. Trust claims and VA claims follow their own rules. Because mesothelioma can progress quickly, acting early helps. If a person with an asbestos illness dies, family members may have a separate wrongful death claim with its own deadline.
- Pathology reports and other records confirming the diagnosis
- A full work history: employers, job sites, dates and duties
- Military service records showing jobs, ships or bases
- Names of products or brands you worked with, if you remember them
- Names of coworkers who can describe the conditions
Talking to a lawyer
A licensed attorney who handles asbestos cases can help trace where the exposure came from, file trust claims and lawsuits where appropriate, and explain how they fit with VA benefits. Your state bar's lawyer referral service can help you find one.
Asbestos lawyers usually work on a contingency fee: a percentage of any recovery, agreed in a written contract in advance. Ask how trust claims and lawsuit recoveries are each handled under the agreement. Bring your work history and any military records to a first meeting, since they are often the starting point.
