While combat is often seen as the greatest risk faced by military personnel, government records reveal a far more silent and deadly threat: asbestos exposure. Over the past two decades, asbestos-related diseases have claimed the lives of thousands of British veterans, far outnumbering those lost in combat during the Afghan campaign.
Between 2001 and 2021, a total of 457 UK service members lost their lives in Afghanistan, with 405 of those deaths caused by hostile Taliban actions. In stark contrast, at least 3,560 veterans are believed to have died from asbestos-related illnesses during the same period, a figure nearly nine times greater than combat fatalities.
These shocking figures and the personal stories behind them were highlighted in a recent Daily Mail investigation, which sheds light on the human cost of asbestos exposure among those who served. Read the full article here.
The Scale of the Crisis
Asbestos exposure among military personnel occurred in various environments, from outdated accommodation blocks to equipment such as tanks, submarines, helicopters, and ships. The British Occupational Hygiene Society has stated that former service members are up to ten times more likely to develop asbestos-related illnesses than the general population.
Annual data suggests that 89 new cases of mesothelioma, a deadly cancer caused by asbestos exposure, are diagnosed among veterans each year. That number only covers mesothelioma and does not include other conditions like asbestosis and asbestos-related lung cancers, making the true toll even higher.
A Delayed Time Bomb
Asbestos-related diseases have long latency periods, with symptoms often emerging 20 to 60 years after exposure. Once diagnosed, mesothelioma is incurable and typically fatal within a year. In the UK, asbestos is the leading cause of work-related deaths, with more than 5,000 lives lost annually, over half of which are due to mesothelioma.
Veterans are particularly at risk because of extensive exposure during their service years, often without adequate warning, protection, or awareness. This has become a growing concern for campaigners and health professionals alike.
Inadequate Compensation and Legal Challenges
Since the introduction of the military mesothelioma compensation scheme in 2016, there have been 803 payouts totaling £112.5 million, all to terminally ill claimants. Prior to 2016, veterans were unable to pursue claims against the Ministry of Defence (MoD) due to Crown Immunity, a legal doctrine that was only waived through legislation passed in 2014.
Under the War Pension Scheme, veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma may choose between a regular pension or a one-off lump sum of £140,000, a figure that has not been increased in nine years. In contrast, civilians exposed to asbestos often receive settlements that exceed this amount by up to £100,000, which can also include funding for private or experimental treatments. Military settlements do not provide these additional medical support provisions.
Furthermore, while civilian families can pursue legal action after a loved one’s death from asbestos exposure, the same is not available under the War Pension Scheme for veterans’ families.
Legal Action and Calls for Reform
Legal action is now being taken. Former Royal Marine Edward Hill is leading a lawsuit on behalf of 260 ex-Marines against the MoD. The case alleges that troops were exposed to asbestos during military exercises in Latvia in 2018 and 2019 and were not relocated, despite known risks.
Hill has cited research showing that asbestos-related illnesses are the leading cause of death among veterans outside of natural causes. He has also criticised the Government’s commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant, which is supposed to ensure fair treatment for those who have served. “In my experience,” he said, “the Covenant isn’t worth the paper it’s written on.”
Systemic Issues and the Need for Prevention
The British Occupational Hygiene Society has called for an “end-to-end strategy” to protect military personnel from asbestos exposure, both in active service and in housing. According to Professor Kevin Bampton, “You could reasonably expect a cause of premature deaths for service personnel to be combat injury. You don’t expect nine times as many people to die from asbestos-related disease, which is preventable and completely unnecessary.”
While the Ministry of Defence maintains that compensation for veterans cannot be directly compared with civilian claims, due to differing standards of proof required, it continues to face criticism for what many see as inadequate measures for both prevention and post-exposure support.
Our Commitment to Minimising Asbestos Exposure
At Safe:Environment, we believe that awareness, proactive surveys, and responsible removal of asbestos are essential to preventing further unnecessary loss of life. Whether in homes, schools, hospitals, or military facilities, asbestos remains a threat that demands action, not only from government bodies but from every organisation responsible for maintaining safe working environments.
