Establishing a National Mesothelioma Registry

A Necessary Step for Veteran Care in Rockland County

Over the past century, asbestos exposure has emerged as a critical public health crisis rooted in the nation’s toxic legacy of industrial and military advancement. Once prized for its resilience and insulating properties, this mineral became a cornerstone of America’s defense as it was extensively used in the construction of barracks, armaments, aircraft, vehicles, and vessels, including those in Rockland County, New York. Yet the same qualities that made it invaluable on battlefields and industries also made it an insidious hazard. Unknown to many, friable asbestos can release microscopic fibers that can remain in the body indefinitely, eventually causing a rare yet aggressive cancer called mesothelioma. Even more troubling is that diagnosing this disease promptly poses a unique challenge to healthcare providers, as, besides its rarity, its initial symptoms are frequently mistaken for more common conditions.

As a result, numerous veterans lose valuable time before receiving proper interventions—drastically reducing their chances of recovery and survival. Establishing a national mesothelioma registry could nonetheless become a game-changer amid this ongoing problem. Such a systemic tool can equip physicians, researchers, and policymakers with real-time data needed to identify and screen at-risk veterans as well as provide prompt diagnosis and treatment, thereby improving their health outcomes.

Asbestos Placing Rockland County Veterans At Risk of Mesothelioma

For most of the 20th century, asbestos played a crucial role in military operations, particularly due to its low cost and chemical stability. True to that, this natural mineral has become a vital component in the production and maintenance of planes, tanks, trucks, ships, and many other infrastructure. Even Rockland County in New York—home to facilities such as the Orangeburgh Armory and the former Camp Shanks—was part of the era of intensive material use. Although no official records confirm the presence of asbestos at these sites, the fact that they were established during a period when this mineral was commonly used makes its presence a strong possibility. Regrettably, countless people were unaware that once inhaled or ingested, tiny fibers of such a material can lodge in the lungs and trigger the development of mesothelioma. 

Medical research reveals that this unusual tumor typically begins in the protective tissue enclosing the lungs, heart, abdomen, or testicles. However, detecting its growth is incredibly difficult because of its long latency period, which means its symptoms may take up to four decades or more to manifest. Worse, when they do, they are often confused with other ailments like tuberculosis and smoke-related lung cancer. Unfortunately, this frequent misdiagnosis causes physicians and oncologists to prescribe inappropriate treatments, allowing the actual malignancy to thrive and reach an alarming stage, where prognosis is bleak. 

The repercussions of this issue have been profound for veterans handling asbestos during their decades of active duty. National data indicate that this occupational group accounts for a third of the 3,000 mesothelioma cases reported annually—emphasizing the hidden toll of military service. Similarly, this public health concern has become increasingly visible in Rockland County. In fact, federal records show that over 200 asbestos-related deaths occurred in the region between 1999 and 2017. Statewide, at least 15,205 residents succumbed to the same crisis—including nearly 2,850 fatalities linked to mesothelioma. These staggering figures underscore the very need for systemic monitoring and early intervention to safeguard veterans seriously affected by asbestos exposure.

Building a National Framework to Revolutionize Mesothelioma Care

Establishing a national mesothelioma registry is not merely an administrative endeavor—it is a necessary step toward protecting veterans and improving public health outcomes. By consolidating information on asbestos exposure histories as well as confirmed mesothelioma diagnoses and treatment results, such a system would enable physicians to identify high-risk individuals sooner and help researchers uncover more effective detection methods. For counties like Rockland, where asbestos-related deaths remain a documented reality, access to reliable, centralized data could really enhance early screening and care coordination among veterans’ facilities and healthcare providers.

Equally important, pushing for a national mesothelioma registry would positively facilitate accountability and resource allocation. Essentially, this initiative would empower policymakers to strategically identify geographic hotspots of exposure and deploy targeted prevention measures—eventually saving lives that might otherwise be lost to late-stage diagnoses. 

The urgent call for this action cannot be overstated. If materialized, such an endeavor would support over 5,739 susceptible veterans in Rockland County as well as millions of others across the country, especially since asbestos exposure is not merely a local concern but rather a pressing national issue. Ultimately, creating a national mesothelioma registry would mark a decisive shift from reactive care to proactive prevention—honoring the service of former service members and all military personnel who unknowingly placed themselves at risk while safeguarding the nation.

About the Author

Jonathan Sharp serves as the CFO of the Environmental Litigation Group P.C., a Birmingham, Alabama-based law firm providing honest and transparent legal assistance to victims of toxic exposure, including those with asbestos-related cases.