A group of 260 Royal Marines is taking legal action against the UK Ministry of Defence, alleging they were knowingly exposed to asbestos during training exercises in Latvia.
Rebecca Ricks reports for BBC News.
In short:
- The lawsuit involves exposure incidents during 2018 and 2019 military exercises in a former Soviet town.
- Tests on a dust sample from the site reportedly revealed the presence of asbestos, a hazardous material.
- The marines claim the Ministry of Defence was aware of the asbestos but failed to properly brief or protect them.
Key quote:
"We could shake our hair and see the dust fall out, it covered absolutely everything."
— Edward Hill, former Royal Marine
Why this matters:
This case highlights the crucial issue of occupational safety in the military, particularly regarding the long-term health impacts of asbestos exposure. It underscores the need for stringent safety protocols and transparency in military operations, directly affecting the health and wellbeing of service members.
Is it time to rethink chemical exposures? According to a 2017 study, “safe” levels are doing damage.
