Commonly known as a B-52, the Boeing B-52 Stratofortress is a long-range subsonic, jet-powered strategic bomber that has been used by the United States Air Force since the 1950s. It has also been used by NASA. The plane has a top speed of 455 miles per hour and was designed to carry nuclear weapons, though it never carried anything but conventional munitions in combat.
The benefit of the plane’s many innovations was offset by the dangers posed by asbestos that was used in its construction. From the time it was first constructed through the time that asbestos’s dangers were made public, it was used to insulate many of the plane’s parts. This exposed those who flew the planes, as well as maintenance personnel and ground crew, to the risk of being diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, asbestosis, and other asbestos-related diseases.
About the B-52 Superfortress
The B-52 Stratofortress is a military aircraft capable of flying long ranges for bombing missions, flying at subsonic speeds and altitudes of up to 50,000 feet. Though it has only carried conventional munitions in combat, it was built to carry nuclear weaponry. The plane is capable of strategic attack, close-air support, air interdiction, offensive counterair and maritime operations.[1]
The B-52 is capable of being equipped with two electro-optical viewing sensors, a forward-looking infrared, and advanced targeting pods that improve long-range target detection, identification, and continuous stabilized surveillance for all missions. This improves its combat effectiveness in all conditions. It is also capable of aerial refueling.[1]
The first B-52 was flown in 1954 and entered service in 1955. The last of the 744 B-52s that Boeing built for the military was delivered in 1962. The plane can carry up to 20 air-launched cruise missiles and did so in the 1990s during Operation Desert Storm and as recently as Operation Inherent Resolve in 2016.[1]
The Future of the B-52
The B-52 went through several design iterations, ending in the H model that was delivered in 1962. It has been used in missions ever since, for six decades, and approximately 75 remain in use, conducting nuclear alert missions during the Cold War, bombing campaigns in the Vietnam War, and strikes on Iraq during Operation Desert Storm and against the Taliban and Islamic State. Today, the military is planning a $48.6 billion overhaul of the existing planes, renaming them B-52Js. The new fleet will be capable of conducting a range of operations, replacing its original Pratt & Whitney engines with new Rolls-Royce-made F130 engines. This Commercial Engine Replacement Program is scheduled for ground and flight tests in late 2028. The new version of the B-52 will be equipped with modern radar, improved avionics, the ability to carry out nuclear strikes from a distance, and new digital displays. It will also receive new wheels and brakes.[2]
How Was Asbestos Used in the B-52?
Asbestos was widely used in plane construction between the 1930s and 1980s, and this was especially true of planes ordered by the military. Because the government was especially interested in protecting the safety of its service members, it specified the use of asbestos in multiple applications, hoping that the material would add strength and fireproofing. When it came to asbestos use in the construction of military aircraft, including B-52 bombers, asbestos products were used in brake pads, torque valves, clutches, exhausts, gaskets, heat shields for engines, cockpit heating systems, and engine and electrical insulation. Asbestos was also used in the gloves worn by those who repaired the B-52s and in fabrics supplied in the planes for fireproofing.
Who Was Exposed to Asbestos Installed in the B-52 Stratofortress Bomber?
Because asbestos contaminated so many parts of the B-52 Stratofortress Bomber, it would have been difficult for anybody who flew in or worked on the aircraft to avoid having been exposed to the carcinogenic material. Still, civilian and military aircraft mechanics faced the greatest risk of exposure to asbestos dust. Their direct manipulation of asbestos-containing components during routine repair and maintenance meant that they were breathing in microscopic asbestos particles regularly, especially those who maintained, repaired, or replaced brakes and other products affected by heat and friction resistance.
Those at greatest risk of asbestos exposure from the B-52 bomber include:
- Aircraft handlers
- Aircraft mechanics
- Aerospace engineers
- Boeing employees
- Firefighters
- Electricians
- Communications repair workers
- Supply chain workers
- Aircraft pilots/Air Force veterans
The individuals who were responsible for the daily upkeep of these military assets were exposed to asbestos on a regular basis as they maintained and repaired brake systems and replaced brake pads. However, there was an additional risk that came from the products’ deterioration over time. Both the manipulation of maintenance work and the effect of time increased the likelihood of asbestos breaking down into invisible, friable particles that were inhaled or ingested by anybody in the vicinity of the plane. Additionally, the family members of any of those exposed to the carcinogenic material were also at risk of secondary exposure to asbestos carried into their homes on their hair, skin, or clothing. Many wives and children of military veterans and others who were occupationally exposed to asbestos ended up being diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases.
Finally, employees of Boeing who participated in the construction of Boeing’s B-52s were exposed to asbestos during the aircraft’s fabrication process. Many Boeing employees have pursued workers’ compensation claims and personal injury litigation, accusing the company and its suppliers of negligently exposing them to asbestos.
Military Asbestos Abatement
Though modern aircraft aren’t built using asbestos-containing materials, mechanics who work on aircraft originally built with asbestos-containing parts still face risks of exposure to the deadly material. Brake systems, gaskets, and valves that were installed before the material became recognized as dangerous or that were replaced with parts imported from countries that continue using the carcinogenic material continue to pose risks to aircraft mechanics and others in the aviation sector. Though the military has expended significant energy on asbestos abatement, the risk of asbestos exposure continues to be present for anybody working on airplanes dating from before the time it stopped being used in the United States.
How Does Asbestos Sicken Those Exposed to It?
Though asbestos is known for its strength and durability, the mineral is fibrous and pulls apart very easily. When it breaks down into its smallest particles, it is referred to as being friable, and these microscopic pieces become airborne and are easily ingested. Once asbestos fibers enter the body, they are very difficult to expel. They frequently become embedded in cells of the lungs or the organ that lines the cavity that holds the lungs or abdominal organs. This organ, known as the mesothelium, is particularly sensitive to asbestos fibers. When its cells are infiltrated by the mineral, they become inflamed and mutate into tumors that grow slowly. It often takes decades for mesothelioma tumors to become large enough to create symptoms, but once they do, the disease is too advanced to stop. Mesothelioma is always considered a fatal disease.
Asbestos can also cause other illnesses, including asbestos-related lung cancer, asbestosis, pleural plaques, and COPD.
Compensation for Those Sickened by Exposure to B-52 Bombers
If you flew B-52 bombers, worked on the aircraft as a mechanic, or were in some other way exposed to the carcinogenic material while in the vicinity of a B-52, you may be at risk for asbestos-related diseases. Even if you feel perfectly healthy and have no signs of illness, if you’ve been exposed to the B-52 during the years when asbestos was commonly used — or might have been exposed to legacy asbestos that remains hidden in the planes — it’s a good idea to notify your healthcare professional so that they can monitor your health for concerning symptoms.
If you’ve been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, you may be eligible for compensation for the harm that you’ve suffered. If you are a veteran, your service-related exposure entitles you to special disability compensation benefits, as well as treatment at any of the many VA treatment centers that focus on asbestos-disease care.
Whether you’re a veteran or civilian, if you were affected by asbestos installed on a B-52, you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit against the asbestos companies responsible for your exposure. An experienced asbestos lawyer will be able to provide you with the information you need to move forward with confidence, whether you decide to pursue litigation or file a claim with one of the asbestos trust funds established by asbestos companies forced into bankruptcy by their asbestos liabilities.
Whatever you decide, if you choose to pursue legal action, make sure that you act quickly, as every state has its own statute of limitations, which is a mandated deadline by which time you must file your paperwork. Delaying this process may prevent you from seeking the justice you and your family members deserve.
References
View All References
