Asbestos was widely used in various products due to its exceptional insulation properties, resistance to fire, and durability. However, its use has been significantly reduced or banned in many countries due to the health risks associated with asbestos exposure, such as lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis.
If you’ve been impacted by any of these conditions, contact us at Bailey & Glasser, LLP, today. We offer a no obligations consultation where you can learn more about your legal options.
Insulation and Asbestos
Some everyday asbestos-containing insulation products that were used historically include:
- Spray-Applied Insulation: This form of insulation was sprayed onto surfaces and was often used in industrial and commercial settings for fireproofing and soundproofing.
- Loose-Fill Insulation: Also known as “blown-in” insulation, this type of asbestos insulation was used in attics, walls, and floors as a loose, fluffy material.
- Block Insulation: These were solid blocks of insulation material used to insulate boilers, furnaces, and hot water pipes.
- Pipe Insulation: Asbestos was used to insulate pipes in homes and buildings. It was often used as a wrap or a pre-formed covering on pipes.
- Asbestos Blankets and Tapes: These were used to wrap hot pipes, boilers, or heating ducts.
- Cement Asbestos Insulation: Mixed with cement, asbestos was used in sheets and boards for insulating walls, roofs, and floors.
- Insulating Boards: These boards, containing asbestos, were used in various applications, including ceiling tiles, partition walls, and fire doors.
Asbestos insulation was used in the following ways:
- Aircraft
- Attics
- Basements
- Boilers
- Cars
- Ceilings
- Electrical boxes
- Furnaces
- Manufacturing floors
- Military Barracks
- Pipes
- Ships
- Shipyards
- Trucks
- Walls
Manufacturers of Asbestos Containing Insulation
From the early 1900s to the late 1970s, asbestos was a popular material in the manufacturing of various insulation products. It was favored for its durability, fire resistance, and insulating properties.
The industry included various companies, from large multinational corporations to smaller, specialized firms. These manufacturers produced a variety of asbestos-containing products such as pipe insulation, block insulation, spray-applied insulation, and insulating boards.
Some of the companies that used to manufacture insulation that contained asbestos included:
- Combustion Engineering: Combustion Engineering was established in 1914, they produced steam boilers that were insulated with asbestos.
- E.J. Bartells Company: This company produced refractory and insulation products for industrial use.
- GAF Corporation: Founded in 1886, GAF Corporation manufactured construction and roofing products, including insulating cement, pipe covering insulation, and insulating siding.
- Johns Manville: A manufacturer of construction products, Johns Manville produced adhesives, insulation, cement, textiles, roofing products, and shingles.
- Kaiser Aluminum: This company manufactured construction, insulation, and refractory products; the products were often found in chemical plants, shipyards, and construction sites.
- Metalclad Insulation Corporation: Metalclad Insulation Corporation created specialized insulation systems for industries including aerospace, shipbuilding, fossil fuel power systems, and manufacturing.
- The Flintkote Company: Flintkote was known for manufacturing roofing supplies, but they also sold a water-resistant insulation coating called Thermalkote.
- W.R. Grace: Produced construction materials including Vermiculite Insulation, commonly used to insulate walls, and Zonolite Super 40, a spray insulation.
Many of the manufacturers faced extensive legal battles as the health impacts of asbestos became known. This led to some of the largest class-action lawsuits and bankruptcy filings in U.S. history.
Many companies that manufactured or used asbestos products have established trust funds as part of their bankruptcy proceedings. These trusts are expressly set up to compensate individuals harmed by asbestos exposure. Claimants can file a claim against these trusts to seek compensation.
Asbestos Exposure from Insulation
Asbestos exposure is associated with several serious health risks, primarily affecting the lungs and the surrounding tissue. The severity of these health issues often depends on the duration and intensity of exposure, and symptoms may take many years to develop. Here are some of the key health risks:
- Mesothelioma: This is a rare but aggressive form of cancer that primarily affects the lining of the lungs (pleura) but can also affect the lining of the abdominal cavity (peritoneum) or heart (pericardium). Mesothelioma is almost exclusively caused by asbestos exposure.
- Asbestosis: This is a chronic lung disease caused by inhaling asbestos fibers. The fibers cause scarring of lung tissue, leading to progressive lung fibrosis. Symptoms include shortness of breath, coughing, and chest pain. Asbestosis can be a progressive disease, meaning it can worsen over time even after asbestos exposure has ceased.
- Lung Cancer: Asbestos exposure significantly increases the risk of lung cancer, especially in individuals who smoke. Asbestos-related lung cancer generally arises in the lung parenchyma (the functional tissue of the lungs) and is distinct from mesothelioma.
- Pleural Thickening or Pleural Plaques: Long-term asbestos exposure can cause thickening or scarring of the pleura, which is the lung’s lining. This can lead to a condition called pleural thickening, which can cause chest pain and breathing difficulties.
- Pleural Effusion: This is a buildup of fluid between the layers of the pleura outside the lungs. Asbestos exposure can lead to this condition, which can cause chest pain and breathlessness.
- Laryngeal Cancer: There is evidence to suggest that asbestos exposure can increase the risk of laryngeal cancer, affecting the larynx or voice box.
- Ovarian Cancer: Some studies have shown an association between asbestos exposure and an increased risk of ovarian cancer, although the mechanism is not entirely clear.
It’s important to note that the risk of these diseases increases with the amount and duration of asbestos exposure, and symptoms can take many years, even decades, to appear after the initial exposure. This long latency period is one reason why asbestos-related diseases can be particularly challenging to diagnose and treat. Therefore, it’s crucial for individuals who have been exposed to asbestos, especially in occupational settings, to have regular health check-ups and report any respiratory symptoms to their healthcare provider.
Occupations Affected by Asbestos-Containing Insulation
The widespread use of asbestos-containing insulation in various industries has had a profound impact on the health of workers in certain occupations.
Some of these occupations include:
- Boilermakers
- Carpenters
- Construction workers
- Demolition crews
- Electricians
- Equipment operators
- Factory workers
- HVAC workers
- Industrial workers
- Insulators
- Machine operators
- Machinists
- Masons
- Mechanics
- Pipefitters
- Plumbers
- Roofers
- Shipyard workers
These occupations represent just a subset of those at risk; many others may have been exposed to asbestos in different capacities. The latency period for asbestos-related diseases can be several decades, meaning workers exposed years ago might only now be showing symptoms. This has led to ongoing health monitoring and legal claims for those affected by asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos awareness, proper safety training, and protective equipment are crucial in preventing further exposure and health risks in these occupations.
Insulation Asbestos Exposure Compensation Options
If you’re considering seeking compensation for asbestos exposure related to insulation, working with a specialized law firm like Bailey & Glasser, LLP can be a significant step. We understand how much of an impact a mesothelioma diagnosis can have on your life, and we’re here to help you every step of the way. Contact us today for your free no obligations quote.
