Veterans who served in the army from 1940 up to the late 1990 were exposed to significant levels of asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral but highly toxic and detrimental to human health.

Most of these individuals went on to develop asbestosis, lung cancer, and a rare type of malignancy, known as mesothelioma. Mesothelioma occurs in about 3000 people per year in the U.S., yet most of those who receive a diagnosis are veterans. Although another significant number of people diagnosed are industrial workers, veterans, especially those working in the Navy, have a substantially higher risk of developing this condition.

Healthcare for people with a diagnosis is complicated. As mesothelioma is rare, research interest is minimal, and given the limited number of patients, participants who would take part in clinical trials to advance knowledge are also scarce. This results in poor diagnosis methods, with significantly high rates of misdiagnosis.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention attempted to address this issue in 2019. They opened a forum to discuss the feasibility of implementing a National Mesothelioma Registry to help speed up diagnosis and improve care. The scope of the registry is to move away from an estimate reporting system to a case-finding methodology and instant, accurate data reporting for all mesothelioma cases identified. This would increase the available sample pool for patients and thus expand the number of people available to participate in clinical trials to advance knowledge on mesothelioma, which would subsequently lead to better diagnosis methods.

Asbestos Risk and Mesothelioma in Alabama, Dallas County

Between 1999 and 2017, Alabama saw 3,845 asbestos-related deaths, including 616 from mesothelioma and 802 from asbestosis, demonstrating the state’s long history of asbestos use in its industrial and military history. 

In Dallas County, for instance, the estimated number of asbestos-related deaths was 20.

For many decades, Alabama’s military facilities heavily relied on asbestos, using it extensively in construction, insulation, and mechanical systems. Service members, particularly those stationed in Navy and Army installations, faced prolonged exposure in barracks, workshops, and machinery rooms. Though Alabama is not a coastal state, shipbuilding and repairs occurred at facilities along rivers and in nearby Gulf states, particularly during and after WWII.

Alabama's shipyards, notably in Mobile, played a pivotal role in the U.S. Emergency Shipbuilding Program, constructing Liberty ships essential for the war effort. These vessels extensively utilized asbestos for insulation and fireproofing, leading to significant exposure among shipyard workers. Because of this extensive use, counties like Dallas, despite their smaller populations, reported as many as 20 asbestos-related deaths, revealing the far-reaching and indiscriminate nature of exposure.

Across the state, there are 377,310 who served in the army, many of whom were employed in the Navy at a time when regulations for asbestos protection were lacking. These people now risk developing mesothelioma in their old age and lack the healthcare they need for identifying and treating this condition.

Strengthening the Case for a National Mesothelioma Registry

Establishing a National Mesothelioma Registry could significantly improve outcomes for those affected, particularly veterans. By consolidating data from diagnosed patients nationwide, researchers could better identify early warning signs and high-risk patterns that go unnoticed in smaller clinical environments. This would improve diagnostic accuracy and enable proactive screening among vulnerable groups, such as military personnel and shipyard workers. Tracking patient data over time would also offer a clearer picture of disease progression and help refine existing treatment protocols.

Other more subtle and indirect ways could also improve care for patients. For example, as mesothelioma research expands, so would clinical data available for pathology training. In return, this may address gaps in clinical knowledge that drive high misdiagnosis rates.

Nevertheless, despite its promise, the registry’s development has seen little forward momentum. Only a handful of studies tackled practical concerns, including patient privacy and real-time data collection. Because mesothelioma is rare and underfunded, pharmaceutical and biotech investment remains limited. Progress now relies on sustained advocacy from veterans’ groups, healthcare professionals, and public health agencies to push for federal support and make the registry a reality.

Jonathan Sharp is the Director of Financial Operations at Environmental Litigation Group, P.C. He specializes in supporting individuals and families affected by toxic exposure, with a focus on asbestos-related cases. Jonathan works closely with clients to navigate the financial and legal challenges of environmental claims, helping them secure the compensation and care.