What Arizona veterans should know about asbestos exposure

Jonathan Sharp

Submitted photo

Between 1999 and 2017, Arizona recorded 5,157 asbestos-related deaths, of which 970 were from mesothelioma. Maricopa County alone accounted for 2,743 of those deaths. Veterans make up a disproportionate share of the cases, many of them exposed during military service.”

Pleural mesothelioma is a rare but devastating cancer. Its development is almost always linked to prolonged asbestos exposure, and in most cases, the diagnosis comes too late. Although it represents less than 0.2% of all cancer cases, its aggressive progression and poor survival rates make early detection essential.

For many individuals, particularly veterans, the disease is often misdiagnosed or overlooked. In this context, a National Mesothelioma Registry could play a critical role by enabling earlier diagnoses, more effective treatment and supporting research efforts.

Asbestos exposure: An injustice for veterans

Asbestos is a group of natural, fibrous minerals commonly used in construction due to their heat and corrosion resistance. A report shows how 3,000 asbestos-related illness cases are detected annually in the U.S., with it estimated that approximately one-third are veterans, because of the past use of the toxic material in military infrastructure and equipment.

While pleural mesothelioma is a known consequence of asbestos exposure, the research remains limited. The existing data do not provide a complete picture of how the disease develops, progresses or responds to treatment. Because mesothelioma often mimics common respiratory conditions, it is frequently misdiagnosed in its early stages.

A national effort to collect, analyze and share patient data is a necessity. The extremely long latency period of pleural mesothelioma — often up to 60 years — makes it difficult to establish a clear link between asbestos contact and the onset of symptoms. This delay affects the ability to deliver timely treatment, especially in older patients who make up the majority of new cases.

According to recent data, 80.8% of stage 1 mesothelioma cases are initially misdiagnosed, along with 69.5% of stage 2 cases, 35.4 % of stage 3, and 12.8% of stage 4. These numbers underscore an urgent need for systemic change. Policymakers must accelerate efforts to implement a national framework that supports earlier detection, drives research and improves clinical outcomes.

Maricopa County’s asbestos legacy: A hidden battlefield for veterans

Between 1999 and 2017, Arizona recorded 5,157 asbestos-related deaths, of which 970 were from mesothelioma. Maricopa County alone accounted for 2,743 of those deaths. Veterans make up a disproportionate share of the cases, many of them exposed during military service.

One of the clearest examples is Luke Air Force Base in Glendale. Established in 1941, it was added to the EPA’s Superfund list due to contamination from oil, solvents and asbestos-laden materials. For decades, military personnel routinely worked on aircraft contaminated parts, including brakes, wiring, insulation and heat shields. Even today, many of the original structures contain friable asbestos that can be released during maintenance or renovation.

What’s more alarming is that exposure didn’t stop at the base gates. Firefighters, mechanics and enlisted personnel frequently brought asbestos fibers home on uniforms, unknowingly putting others at risk through secondary exposure.

And despite all, asbestos is still not banned in the United States. That means a present-day, unresolved public health failure.

National Mesothelioma Registry could reduce suffering

In 2019, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention initiated discussions around the creation of a National Mesothelioma Registry. The objective was to identify individuals exposed to asbestos, particularly veterans, offering them regular screenings and targeted medical evaluations. Early detection remains critical, as treatment options from later stages are limited and often result in poor outcomes.

Even after six years, the registry remains a proposal rather than a reality. The absence of a centralized, proactive approach allows misdiagnoses to continue, exposure histories to be lost, and lives to be cut short, meaning a failure to address an entirely preventable crisis.

A national registry would improve survival prospects and help patients access the needed compensation and care. It would also aid physicians, who currently face challenges in identifying mesothelioma. A centralized database would offer a clearer picture and help avoid costly diagnostic errors.

On a broader level, tracking mesothelioma cases would lead to better policy decisions, targeted health interventions, and a reduction in the economic burden associated with advanced-stage cancer care. Prevention, surveillance, and timely diagnosis are far less costly than crisis-driven treatment.

Given the overwhelming impact on veterans, the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs should be championing this effort. Their continued inaction only deepens the gap between service and support. A National Mesothelioma Registry is no longer a matter of convenience or research, but a long-overdue act of responsibility to those who served and sacrificed.

Editor’s note: Jonathan Sharp is chief financial officer of Environmental Litigation Group, P.C., an Alabama law firm that supports those impacted by environmental and occupational toxic exposure. Please send your comments to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.