Despite mesothelioma fears, 256 Royal Marines and British soldiers have settled a claim against the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD), which they say knowingly exposed them to asbestos during training in Latvia. Though the MoD did not accept liability, the out-of-court settlement, for an undisclosed sum, resolves a case filed in February 2024 under the country’s Human Rights Act.
Mesothelioma Risk Encountered in Abandoned Soviet Town
The mesothelioma risk suffered by the military members dates back to two exercises, Saber Strike 18 and Baltic Protector 19, held in 2018 and 2019 at Skrunda-1, a deserted former Soviet town. While on those missions, both serving and former marines from Plymouth’s 30 Commando and Arbroath’s 45 Commando, along with attached Army soldiers, were required to stay in dusty, abandoned buildings.
Upon noting the extremely dusty conditions and suspecting the buildings contained asbestos, former Royal Marine Edward Hill expressed concern about the risk of mesothelioma and asked to be able to sleep outside, in a tent. When that request was refused, he collected a 4-pound sample from where the troops had been forced to sleep and had it tested when he returned home. The testing confirmed that the dust contained chrysotile, a white asbestos fiber that had frequently been used in pipe insulation and roofing, and which has been tied to rare and deadly form of cancer.
Mesothelioma Hazard Known Before Troops Arrived
Upon investigation, it has become clear that the mesothelioma risk was known to the exercises’ planners before it began. An MoD inquiry found that despite this knowledge, troops were mot alerted to the danger either before, during, or after their deployment. An investigating panel cited “insufficient reconnaissance and an assumption of safety.” A June 2018 report had flagged asbestos at the site, and an April 2019 plan noted the presence of asbestos in bold type, 12 weeks before Baltic Protector began. Notably, Canada had already barred its troops from Skrunda-1 in 2018 based on the danger posed by the contaminated environment.
Mesothelioma has a long latency period. It can take decades to begin to show symptoms, which means these service members face years of uncertainty about their health. “We now have to live our lives not knowing whether we’re going to contract an asbestos-related illness,” Hill said. Another former Marine says he feels he’s been handed “an unnecessary death sentence.”
Mesothelioma Protections and the Push for Reform
Under the terms of the settlement, mesothelioma claims can be reopened by those exposed in the future. This means that each of the exposed personnel can seek further damages if they develop an asbestos-related disease. A second claim involving 55 more personnel is ongoing, and the group says the MoD refused to notify 70 unidentified personnel who were also at the site.
Mesothelioma remains a serious concern across the UK, which has one of the highest rates of the disease in the world. There are reportedly more than 2,000 mesothelioma deaths there each year. UK veterans diagnosed with the disease can now receive a £185,000 lump sum, which is roughly equivalent to $245,000 in U.S. dollars. This figure is up from £140,000. Since 2016, the government has paid the equivalent of more than $165 million to veterans with mesothelioma.
Military members in the United States also face a continuing risk of mesothelioma from exposure to asbestos during their term of service. If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease and you need information or access to resources, contact the Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net today at 1-800-692-8608.
