Military & Defence

Military and defence installations represent one of the most asbestos-intensive built environments in the world. The strategic imperatives of the Cold War era drove massive construction programmes across NATO and Warsaw Pact nations alike, and asbestos was the material of choice for its fireproofing, thermal insulation, and chemical resistance properties. From barracks to bunkers, hangars to shipyards, asbestos was used on a scale that dwarfs most civilian construction sectors. The legacy of this extensive use is a vast inventory of contaminated buildings and infrastructure that continues to pose health risks to serving personnel, civilian workers, and their families.

The military context introduces complications that are unique to this sector. Security classifications may restrict access to building records, construction drawings, or even the buildings themselves. Certain facilities may be located in remote or environmentally sensitive areas where standard remediation approaches require adaptation. Decommissioned bases transitioning to civilian use present the additional challenge of ensuring that comprehensive asbestos surveys are completed before buildings are transferred or repurposed, as new occupants may be unaware of the risks.

Veterans' health is a growing area of concern. Decades of asbestos exposure during military service — in barracks, aboard ships, in vehicle maintenance workshops, and through handling asbestos-containing equipment — have resulted in significant numbers of veterans developing mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. Many countries have established specific compensation schemes and medical surveillance programmes for military personnel exposed to asbestos, recognising the particular duty of care owed by governments to those who served.