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How Can a Sonarman Get Mesothelioma by Occupational Exposure to Asbestos?
A sonarman or sonar technician identify underwater sounds to detect threats and assist with navigation. These sounds are emitted by surface ships, jamming technologies, torpedoes, submarines and evasion devices. They collect data from these sounds and then analyze and interpret it.
They operate sonar systems and fire control systems. Additionally, they support equipment on surface ships like cruisers, destroyers and frigates. They are also responsible for undersea surveillance and help in search and rescue operations.
There are subgroups of this type of job, including a sonar technician, surface who work on surface ships or a sonar technician, submarine who operate sonar submarine equipment, oceanographic equipment and submarine auxiliary sonar.
Sonarmen worked on ships that contained many asbestos products in them. Because they lived and worked in close quarters with asbestos-containing products, they could have breathed in asbestos fibers from these materials which could become lodged in the lining of their lungs and eventually result in mesothelioma.
Common duties of sonar technicians include:
- Operate and repair sonar equipment
- Conduct underwater surveillance
- Track underwater threats
- Trace major signal flow
- Perform preventative and corrective maintenance on sonar equipment
- Detect analyze and locate targets of interest
- Identify electronic components on schematics
- Operate sonar sensors for detection and classification of contacts
- Detect equipment malfunctions during sensor operations
- Send support to fire control
- Operate underwater fire control systems
- Assist with navigation
- Assist with search and rescue operations
- Use specialized equipment and recording devices
Locations in the United States for the Highest Employment Rates for Sonarmen
Approximately 3,000 people are employed as sonar technicians, surface. Approximately 2,500 people are employed as sonar technicians, submarine. These individuals are deployed to various locations, based on the country’s needs.
Similar Occupations as Sonarmen
Similar occupations as sonarmen include the following:
- Boatswain’s mate
- Boilermaker
- Damage controlman
- Deck worker
- Electrician’s mate
- Engineman
- Pipefitter
- Steamfitter
Lawsuits and Settlements Involving Sonarmen and Mesothelioma
Up to 30% of mesothelioma diagnoses are to military veterans. The branch of the military most heavily associated with mesothelioma exposure is the Navy. Individuals who were exposed to asbestos during their Navy careers may have a variety of options to receive compensation for damages stemming from their asbestos exposure. They may be able to file a VA claim for benefits, but they must be able to prove that at least 50% of their asbestos exposure occurred during their military career in order to receive these benefits. Another option for compensation is to pursue a personal injury claim against manufacturers of asbestos products that they were exposed to. Some companies have set up asbestos trust funds to pay damages that individuals suffered because of their products.
Studies Related to Sonarmen and Asbestos
A few studies have explored the connection between the Navy and asbestos exposure that occurred during service. For example, a 2018 Vanderbilt University study found a significantly larger number of deaths stemming from mesothelioma among Navy veterans who worked in areas with a high potential for asbestos exposure. The study found that even though only 20% of more than 100,000 surveyed workers had high potential for exposure to asbestos, they represented 55% of the total number of fatalities.
A 2010 study entitled “Asbestos-related cancers among 28,300 military servicemen in the Royal Norwegian Navy” found increased risks of mesothelioma among engine room crews even when service personnel worked in this position for less than two years. Lung cancer was approximately 20% higher than expected for engine crew and non-engine crew members and colorectal cancer was also higher in non-engine crews.
In 2011, a study entitled “Government and Navy knowledge regarding health hazards of asbestos: A state of the science evaluation (1900 to 1970)” detailed the government’s knowledge of asbestos exposure at various intervals. It concluded that even though the Navy realized the link between asbestosis and asbestos exposure, it continued to use asbestos in its ships until 1980.
Types of Asbestos Products Used by Sonarmen
Navy ships once contained more than 300 asbestos-containing products, so sonarmen may have been exposed to various asbestos-containing products, such as:
- Boilers
- Sealants and adhesives
- Pipe and duct wrappings
- Pumps, valves and hydraulics
- Gaskets and packings
- Spray-on, batt, block and loose-fill insulation
- Capacitors, meters and relays
- Liners
- Wallboard and dryboard
- Electrical wire coatings
- Fireboxes
- Cement powder
- Mortar mix
- Deck and floor tiles
Manufacturers of Asbestos Products Used by Sonarmen
Some of the large manufacturers that sold asbestos-containing products to the general public also sold them to the Navy. Sonarmen who worked in any of the following types of Navy ships may have been exposed to asbestos:
- Aircraft barriers
- Ammunition and explosive freighters
- Amphibious assault craft
- Auxiliary ships
- Battleships
- Corvettes
- Cruisers
- Cutters
- Destroyers
- Destroyer escorts
- Escort carriers
- Frigates
- Hospital vessels
- Landing craft
- Liberty ships
- Merchant marine ships
- Minesweepers
- Oilers and tankers
- Patrol boats
- Submarines
- Troop carriers
