What is a major danger of working with a thermal coated weapon?

When dealing with thermal coated weapons, asbestos is indeed a significant concern. Many thermal coatings historically used in military applications contained asbestos, which can become airborne and pose serious health risks if inhaled. Asbestos exposure is associated with several serious respiratory diseases, including asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma. Therefore, working with or around these types of weapons requires strict adherence to safety protocols to mitigate the risk of exposure to asbestos fibers.

Lead contamination is a concern in some munitions, particularly those that contain lead projectiles or casings, but it is not specifically associated with thermal coatings. Similarly, mercury exposure can be dangerous, found in some devices but generally not in thermal coatings. Radioactivity, while a concern in specific contexts involving nuclear materials, does not apply to thermal coatings used in conventional munitions. Thus, asbestos remains the most pertinent danger relevant to thermal coated weapons in this context.