USS Annapolis (Photo: U.S. Navy Lt. James Caliva)

The Submariners’ Advocacy Group, a nonprofit representing current and former submarine sailors, is pushing for expanded health care and disability benefits connected to toxic exposure in submarine environments, according to reporting from Stars and Stripes. The group released a detailed report outlining more than 150 contaminants that crews may have faced during long stretches spent in sealed underwater spaces.

Titled “The Unseen Burden,” the report brings together earlier U.S. Navy research, studies from the National Research Council, and information compiled by members of the advocacy group. It describes submarine duty as a setting where exposure to hazardous chemicals, higher carbon dioxide levels, and reduced oxygen occurred daily.

The group says these conditions may contribute to health problems that often emerge long after a sailor’s service ends.

Some of the hazards listed include benzene, ozone, and asbestos—along with monoethanolamine, a chemical used to help scrub carbon dioxide from the air. The report also highlights a chemical byproduct produced by a common lubricant that has been found on surfaces throughout submarines. This residue has appeared on walls, floors, eating utensils, and on the skin of crewmembers.

Members of the advocacy group are also asking the Navy to release atmospheric studies conducted more than two decades ago that remain classified. Reported by Stars and Stripes, these studies examined the makeup of submarine air systems and could provide insight into patterns of disease seen in former crew members. The group says the lack of updated research has made it difficult to fully understand how chemical mixtures behave inside the enclosed spaces of a submarine.

Radiation exposure is another concern raised in the report. Navy submarines operate with strict safety protocols, and crewmembers carry personal radiation monitors, but the group says sailors can still experience low-level exposure for extended periods. A 2022 National Library of Medicine report referenced by the advocacy group states that the long-term cancer risks associated with low levels of radiation in submarine crews are still not well understood.

The Submariners’ Advocacy Group estimates that about 300,000 Veterans have served in the submarine force since 1947. Many of them, the group says, struggle when seeking disability recognition for conditions they believe are tied to submarine service. According to the report, claims from submarine Veterans are denied at a higher rate than other VA claims, partly because many illnesses develop slowly over time.

The organization is requesting that the VA expand coverage under the PACT Act so that more conditions linked to submarine toxic exposure qualify for presumptive benefits. It is also urging the Navy to conduct new research on chemical, biological, and radiation exposures aboard modern submarines. The group says continued attention is needed to ensure submarine Veterans receive care that reflects the environment in which they served.

Author: Rikki Almanza

Rikki is a Web Content Coordinator for the American Legion, Department of California. With a deep-rooted family connection to the military, Rikki is committed to using her skills and knowledge to provide valuable assistance and resources to servicemembers and veterans.