Asbestos, once referred to as a ‘miracle mineral’ due to its resistance to heat and versatility, has caused detrimental impacts on occupational health and safety and corporate liability.
Therefore, it’s important to explore the industrial history of asbestos – its use, health effects, and the asbestos companies that exposed employees to this dangerous substance.
If you’ve been exposed to asbestos, it’s crucial to reach out to a Chicago asbestos lawyer near you.
The history of asbestos dates back to the medieval era, but it wasn’t until the Industrial Revolution that companies such as Johns-Manville began to profit significantly from asbestos.
Despite the obvious data that asbestos was dangerous and even fatal, companies went to great lengths to cover it up, putting profits over people for decades.
In the 1950s and 1960s, asbestos was a central component of thousands of products across various industries. It wasn’t until the 1970s that claims began to roll in, indicating that companies were finally being held accountable. Bankruptcy trusts were set up to manage the overwhelming litigation and claims.
Finally, over 50 countries have banned the use of all forms of asbestos, with the United States finally banning chrysotile asbestos (the most commonly used type) in 2024.
3M is a multinational conglomerate involved in lawsuits over its production of asbestos-containing products – primarily through its industrial minerals division. Although 3M was not a principal player, it was accused of failing to warn workers about some of its asbestos-containing products.
The company made several key products that contained asbestos. These products included caulk, dust masks, and adhesives. Adhesives, caulks, dust masks, rubber-coated asbestos cloth, sticky tar caulk, and sealers contained the mineral from 1985 to 1987. The mineral was used in caulk and adhesives from 1935 to 1986.
Certain types of dust masks were manufactured with asbestos in the 1960s until the company stopped using it in 1985.
3M is a multinational conglomerate involved in lawsuits over its production of asbestos-containing products – primarily through its industrial minerals division. Although 3M was not a principal player, it was accused of failing to warn workers about some of its asbestos-containing products.
The company made several key products that contained asbestos. These products included caulk, dust masks, and adhesives. Adhesives, caulks, dust masks, rubber-coated asbestos cloth, sticky tar caulk, and sealers contained the mineral from 1985 to 1987. The mineral was used in caulk and adhesives from 1935 to 1986.
Certain types of dust masks were manufactured with asbestos in the 1960s until the company stopped using it in 1985.
Armstrong Contracting and Supply (AC & S) was a leading distributor of asbestos-based insulation products. From 1957 to 1974, the company manufactured asbestos-containing products, which endangered the lives of people who worked in shipyards, factories, and construction sites. The company filed bankruptcy in 2002 after lawsuits challenged its manufacturing of products with the material.
A.P. Green Industries positioned itself as a foremost manufacturer of refractory products, some made with asbestos. These products were supplied to steel mills, power plants, and manufacturing companies.
In February 2002, A.P. Green filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy and set up an asbestos fund to compensate victims. Its debt at the time was around $77 million.
Abex Corporation, previously known as American Brake Shoe & Foundry Company, manufactured brake linings and other friction materials containing asbestos fibers. Mechanics and garage workers launched several lawsuits against the company.
Claimants stated they developed mesothelioma as a result of inhaling asbestos dust while working on the components.
The predecessor of Abex was formed in 1902 when five manufacturers with patents for brake shoes for railroad cars established an iron factory in Mahwah, New Jersey, to cast the shoes.
Founded in the 1950s as the American Asbestos Textile Corporation (later Amatex), the company manufactured high-temperature textiles, including cloth, yarn, rope, thread, and tubing reinforced with chrysotile asbestos. In 1962, it acquired a plant in Meredith, New Hampshire, and continued producing asbestos-textile products until the early 1980s. Amatex, facing thousands of asbestos-related lawsuits, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 1982 and established an asbestos claim trust to handle liabilities for former workers and users of its products. Today, the company remains active in manufacturing technical textile products (now asbestos-free) under new ownership.
Floor tiles and ceiling materials manufactured by Armstrong World Industries—some made with asbestos—were notably common in most parts of the US in the twentieth century.
The products were installed in many residential homes built from the 1920s to the mid-1970s. Therefore, both employees and homeowners were at risk for exposure. Even today, housing renovations can release toxic minerals into the atmosphere.
The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in December 2000 due to asbestos liabilities. Because of its insolvency, it established a trust fund for victims in 2006. During this time, it faced over 175,000 lawsuits from personal injury claimants, all claiming to have developed asbestos-related diseases.
The first of these lawsuits was filed against AWI in 1969. Bankruptcy plans, according to section 524(g) of the bankruptcy code, may establish trusts to fairly compensate asbestos-exposure victims.
ASARCO (American Smelting & Refining Company) was founded in 1899 and entered the asbestos industry in the early 1950s by acquiring an open-pit asbestos mine in Black Lake, Quebec. In 1974, the company expanded its asbestos operations by purchasing Cement Asbestos Products Company (CAPCO), a manufacturer of asbestos-cement pipes. The mining of raw asbestos fibers and the production of asbestos-cement pipe exposed thousands of miners, plant workers, and pipe installers to asbestos, resulting in tens of thousands of personal injury lawsuits.
In 2005, ASARCO filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, and in 2009, it created the ASARCO Asbestos Personal Injury Settlement Trust to handle claims from those exposed to its asbestos products. While ASARCO continues to operate in metal mining and smelting under new ownership today, its asbestos legacy remains a significant part of its history.
Many boilers manufactured by B & W Company for use in power-producing units were made with a layer of asbestos insulation. This affected power plant workers and others who worked with the company’s equipment.
Barretts Minerals was a U.S. talc-mining and processing company based near Dillon, Montana, with later facilities in Texas. It mined talc from the Regal and Treasure mines and supplied talc for ceramics, paints, plastics, and other industrial uses. Because talc and asbestos often occur together in nature, Barretts’ talc products were alleged to contain asbestos contamination, exposing workers and consumers to asbestos fibers.
Facing hundreds of lawsuits alleging asbestos-related injuries, Barretts filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in October 2023. Its parent company, Minerals Technologies Inc., sold Barrett’s talc assets in April 2024 to Riverspan Partners for approximately $32 million as part of a reorganization plan to create a trust to resolve current and future asbestos claims.
Bell Asbestos Mines Ltd., based in Thetford Mines, Quebec, was a leading chrysotile asbestos producer from 1876. Asbestos fibers were widely used in insulation, cement, and textiles, exposing miners and consumers to harmful asbestos. Later owned by Turner & Newall, the company produced highly hazardous products, including Sprayed Limpet Asbestos.
Bell’s operations led to significant asbestos-related illness litigation. Ownership passed to Federal-Mogul, which filed for bankruptcy and created a trust fund to address asbestos claims.
Bestwall Gypsum (eventually acquired by Georgia-Pacific) once manufactured a joint compound with traces of asbestos fibers and other building materials. As a result, people in the construction industry who worked with the materials have filed lawsuits against the company.
Bondex International produced asbestos-cement products, including roofing, siding, and piping, used extensively in construction and industry throughout the mid-20th century.
Workers in manufacturing and installation were exposed to hazardous asbestos fibers, as were consumers during product use or renovation. Such exposure has led to numerous asbestos-related health claims. Bondex eventually faced asbestos liability lawsuits, resulting in contributions to asbestos trust funds that address claims from past exposure.
Borg Warners produced clutch plates containing asbestos fibers. The company settled many lawsuits involving mechanics who sought compensation after being exposed to its products.
Burnham Holdings specialized in boilers and heating systems, many of which were insulated with asbestos-containing materials. Used widely in commercial and residential buildings, these asbestos products exposed workers during manufacturing, installation, and equipment maintenance. Facing thousands of asbestos injury claims, Burnham Holdings declared bankruptcy and helped establish asbestos trust funds to compensate affected individuals.
C.E. Thurston was an insulation contractor who dealt with asbestos products. Over time, there have been several lawsuits involving former workers and people who came into contact with asbestos on work sites where Thurston was active at the time.
Celotex had an extensive line of products, including insulations and roofing materials that contained asbestos. In 1990, Celotex declared bankruptcy and set up a fund to compensate litigants.
CertainTeed Corporation manufactured building materials, including ceiling tiles, insulation, cement shingles, and other products containing asbestos. These products caused exposure risks for construction workers and occupants, especially during installation or renovation.
CertainTeed became liable for numerous asbestos claims, leading to bankruptcy proceedings and the creation of trust funds to manage liabilities and compensate victims of asbestos exposure.
Cleaver-Brooks manufactured steam boilers and water heating equipment insulated with asbestos-containing materials dating back several decades. Workers who made, installed, and serviced these products faced occupational asbestos exposure. Asbestos-related litigation ensued, resulting in Cleaver-Brooks participating in asbestos trust funds to address claims for asbestos-related illnesses linked to their products.
Combustion Engineering produced industrial boilers and pressure vessels lined with asbestos-containing insulation materials. Occupational exposure among workers handling, installing, or repairing these products resulted in thousands of asbestos disease claims. The company was absorbed into larger corporations, which declared bankruptcy and established asbestos trusts to facilitate victim compensation and liability resolution.
Congoleum Corporation manufactured asbestos-containing vinyl floor tiles and sheet flooring widely used in residential and commercial buildings. Exposure to asbestos fibers occurred during manufacturing and installation, leading to health claims by consumers and workers.
Congoleum faced extensive litigation and contributed to compensation funds for individuals affected by asbestos-related diseases.
Crown Cork & Seal produced pipe insulation and sealing materials containing asbestos fibers, commonly used in industrial and commercial construction. Workers involved in creating and installing these materials faced significant risks of asbestos exposure.
The company was subject to numerous asbestos-related lawsuits, which contributed to the broader wave of litigation faced by manufacturers of asbestos products. It has since participated in asbestos trust funds that compensate claimants and manage legal liabilities.
Daimler Chrysler incorporated asbestos-containing materials in several automotive components, including brake pads, clutches, and gaskets. Workers in manufacturing plants and mechanics servicing vehicles were exposed to asbestos dust, contributing to a rise in asbestos-related illnesses.
As lawsuits mounted, Daimler Chrysler faced substantial litigation and financial settlements. The company has worked with asbestos trust funds to resolve claims from affected employees and consumers.
Dana Corporation manufactured automotive parts, including brakes and clutches, that often contained asbestos. Occupational exposure among factory workers and consumers occurred due to the asbestos fibers released during production and use. As awareness of asbestos-related health risks grew, Dana became one of many companies named in lawsuits regarding asbestos exposure. The company has since participated in compensation efforts by establishing trust funds.
EaglePicher Industries manufactured insulating materials and other industrial products containing asbestos, primarily for military and aerospace applications. Employees faced risks of asbestos exposure during the production and handling of these materials. The company has been subject to lawsuits related to asbestos-related illnesses tied to its product history.
EaglePicher participated in the creation of asbestos trust funds as part of litigation settlements.
Ehret Magnesia produced magnesium oxide insulation materials that also contained asbestos fibers. These materials were used in industrial settings, including steel mills and chemical plants. Workers involved in mining, processing, and applying Ehret Magnesia’s products faced significant asbestos exposure.
The company has been involved in legal actions to address claims related to asbestos-related diseases, contributing to trust arrangements for victim compensation.
E.J. Bartells Company was a manufacturer and distributor of asbestos-containing insulation and construction products. Its products were widely used, leading to widespread exposure among workers and contractors.
E.J. Bartells has faced numerous lawsuits from individuals claiming asbestos-related illnesses resulting from exposure to the company’s products. The company has participated in asbestos trust fund settlements to help compensate victims.
Federal-Mogul supplied automotive and industrial parts containing asbestos, including gaskets, brake pads, and insulation materials. The extensive use of asbestos in its products led to widespread exposure risks for workers and consumers.
Federal-Mogul faced immense litigation liabilities and filed for bankruptcy in 2001. It established asbestos trust funds, which continue processing claims related to worker and consumer exposure to its asbestos products.
Flexitallic manufactured asbestos-containing gaskets and sealing products widely used in industrial and mechanical systems. Workers in production facilities and industries utilizing its products were exposed to asbestos fibers during manufacturing and maintenance.
These exposures led to numerous claims of asbestos-related diseases. The company has since been involved in settlements and trust fund arrangements for asbestos victim compensation.
Ford Motor Company incorporated asbestos in many automotive parts, including brake pads, clutches, and gaskets. Asbestos dust exposure affected workers in manufacturing plants as well as vehicle mechanics and users.
The company faced massive asbestos-related litigation and contributed to trust funds aimed at compensating those harmed by exposure to asbestos-containing products.
Foseco manufactured refractory and insulating materials containing asbestos, serving industries such as steel production. Employees and industrial users were exposed to airborne asbestos fibers during manufacturing and application. The company’s asbestos-related liabilities resulted in legal actions and contributed to the creation of asbestos trust funds.
Foster Wheeler was formed in 1927 and supplied engineering and construction equipment, including boilers, pumps, heat exchangers, and steam-generators to power-plants, naval vessels and petrochemical plants. Its components often contained asbestos insulation, gaskets, seals, and refractory materials, especially in the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Merchant Marine. By 2006, the company had paid roughly $700 million toward some 300,000 asbestos claims and continues to face litigation for past exposure.
One of the most famous asbestos manufacturers, GAF Corporation, originally founded as the General Aniline & Film Corporation, became a major player in the roofing materials industry.
The company acquired Ruberoid Co. in 1967 and inherited its asbestos-related liabilities. The company produced roof shingles, siding and other building materials that contained asbestos.
In 2001, due to an increasing number of lawsuits concerning asbestos, GAF filed for bankruptcy and established the G-I Holdings Inc.’s Asbestos Personal Injury Settlement Trust in 2009 to compensate claims.
Garlock Sealing Technologies manufactured gaskets, packing materials, valves, and pump seals that contained asbestos from about 1907 until 1980. Its asbestos-containing products were used extensively in ship-building (including the U.S. Navy), power generation, industrial plants, and other heavy equipment applications, exposing many workers, mechanics, and contractors to airborne asbestos fibers.
After facing over 900,000 asbestos‐related claims, Garlock filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2010 and, in June 2017, created the GST Settlement Facility trust (~US$480 million) to compensate current and future asbestos-exposure victims.
General Electric is one of the world’s largest conglomerates that used to work with asbestos across various sectors, including turbines, consumer appliances, and electrical devices.
While not a primary producer of asbestos products, GE has faced litigation from workers who developed asbestos-related diseases through its use of GE products in power plants and other industrial settings.
For many years, leading car manufacturer, General Motors employed brake linings, clutch facings, and gaskets – all of which contained deadly substances such as asbestos dust particles. Mechanics or factory workers who worked with GM items or were based at its premises have sued the firm.
Gold Bond was National Gypsum Company’s brand name for different construction materials which included joint compound and texture sprays that contained asbestos.
A trust fund was established in 1993 to handle asbestos claims related to Gold Bond and other National Gypsum Company products.
H.K. Porter, Inc., founded in 1866 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, manufactured locomotives and industrial equipment and became heavily involved in asbestos-containing products. Its equipment and components, especially steam locomotives, boilers, valves, and brake systems, relied on asbestos-based insulation and gaskets to withstand high heat in railroad and industrial applications.
Facing massive asbestos-related litigation (over 100,000 lawsuits) and paying hundreds of millions in settlements, the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 1991 and, in 1998, established the H.K. Porter Asbestos Trust to handle all current and future claims.
Harbison-Walker Refractories Company, founded in 1865 (originally as Star Fire Brick Company) and renamed in 1875, made high-temperature refractory products such as firebricks, castables, and insulating materials.
The company used asbestos in many of these products (e.g., ropes, castable cement, firebricks, and gunning mixes) to provide heat resistance, especially from the 1950s through the 1970s.
Facing hundreds of thousands of asbestos-exposure claims, Harbison-Walker (through its later reorganizations and associations with Dresser Industries, Inc., and Halliburton Company) helped establish the DII Industries, LLC Asbestos Personal Injury Trust to handle current and future claims.
Honeywell (formerly Allied Signal) has been involved in lawsuits regarding the use of brake linings and refractory materials containing asbestos within the Honeywell product line over the years.
Honeywell acquired Bendix Corporation in 1983, thereby inheriting the firm’s automotive friction product liabilities related to asbestos applications.
Ingersoll Rand manufactured industrial equipment and machinery, many of which contained asbestos components such as insulation and gaskets. The company’s products were widely used in heavy industry, exposing workers who produced, installed, or maintained this equipment to asbestos fibers. This exposure led to a high incidence of asbestos-related diseases among these workers.
Ingersoll Rand has faced extensive litigation over these health impacts and has participated in establishing asbestos trust funds to provide compensation to persons affected by asbestos exposure.
Imerys is a global industrial minerals company involved in mining and processing materials, including talc, which in some deposits is contaminated with asbestos. Its asbestos-containing talc products were used in manufacturing and consumer goods, leading to widespread asbestos exposure among workers and consumers.
Imerys has been the subject of numerous lawsuits related to asbestos contamination and health claims, prompting the company to participate in trust funds for asbestos victims. The company’s legacy highlights the health risks associated with asbestos contamination in talc mining.
J.T. Thorpe Inc. specialized in the manufacturing of asbestos-containing insulation products used in commercial and industrial construction projects. Workers involved in producing and installing these insulation materials experienced significant asbestos exposure, resulting in elevated risks of mesothelioma and related diseases.
J.T. Thorpe has been involved in numerous lawsuits alleging health damages from asbestos exposure and has contributed to asbestos trust funds to provide compensation to victims. The company represents the hazards posed by the widespread use of asbestos insulation.
John Crane is known for manufacturing industrial packing and sealing products containing asbestos used in various mechanical systems. Workers in production and industrial settings who applied John Crane products were exposed to dangerous asbestos fibers. The company has faced lawsuits from workers who developed asbestos-related illnesses due to exposure to its products.
John Crane has taken part in settling claims through asbestos trust funds established to compensate affected individuals. Its product use exemplifies industrial applications of asbestos in sealing and packing materials.
Asbestos claims have also been filed against John Deere. The lawsuits resulted from the company’s use of asbestos-containing parts in its agricultural and construction machinery and equipment. Operators and drivers were exposed to asbestos during repairs when old John Deere brake linings and gaskets contained the material.
Johns-Manville was once one of the largest makers of asbestos-based goods in the U.S. The company produced asbestos-containing building materials, including roofing, piping, and insulation. It was especially well-known for its insulation during its peak years, when it was also listed among Fortune’s top 500 companies. Its assets totaled $2.3 billion in 1981.
In 1982, it was one of the first major corporations to file for bankruptcy due to asbestos litigation. This led to the establishment of the Manville Personal Injury Settlement Trust in 1988, becoming a model for subsequent asbestos trusts established by other asbestos-related manufacturers.
Johnson & Johnson manufactured talc-based products, including baby powder, that were later found to contain asbestos. This exposure risk extended to consumers who used the talc products and workers involved in manufacturing.
Asbestos fibers in talc have been linked to mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases, prompting thousands of lawsuits against J&J.
The company has faced extensive litigation and has paid significant settlements. J&J’s case underscores concerns about asbestos contamination beyond traditional industrial uses.
Kaiser Aluminum produced aluminum and related products, using asbestos-containing insulation and fireproofing materials in its manufacturing and processing facilities. Employees were exposed to asbestos fibers during plant operation and maintenance, raising health concerns. The company faced numerous asbestos-related lawsuits due to worker illnesses linked to asbestos exposure. Kaiser Aluminum has participated in asbestos trust fund arrangements to compensate affected workers.
Kelly-Moore Paint Company produced industrial and construction paints that contained asbestos to improve fire resistance and durability. Workers involved in manufacturing and applying these asbestos-containing paints were exposed to harmful asbestos fibers.
The company has been named in asbestos lawsuits alleging occupational exposure and resulting illnesses. Kelly-Moore has contributed to asbestos trust funds to address compensation claims from affected individuals.
Kentile Floors manufactured asbestos-containing vinyl floor tiles that became popular for residential and commercial use. Exposure to asbestos fibers occurred during manufacturing, installation, and removal processes, creating health risks for workers and building occupants.
The company has been involved in extensive asbestos litigation and has entered into financial settlements. Kentile’s products are among the many asbestos-containing building materials responsible for widespread exposure.
Leslie Controls produced industrial equipment with asbestos-containing linings and insulation materials. Workers involved in manufacturing and maintaining Leslie Controls products were exposed to asbestos fibers, increasing their risk of asbestos-related diseases. The company faced lawsuits and participated in asbestos compensation programs to address associated claims. Leslie Controls’ history highlights industrial applications of asbestos in specialized equipment.
Lincoln Electric manufactured welding equipment incorporating asbestos-containing components to insulate and protect against heat. Users and workers in production and repair roles faced risks of asbestos exposure. The company confronted asbestos lawsuits for health damages claimed by affected workers and consumers. Lincoln Electric settled numerous claims and contributed to asbestos trust funds for victim compensation.
M.H. Detrick distributed asbestos-containing insulation materials across various industries, exposing workers and contractors to asbestos fibers. The company has been associated with legal claims related to asbestos-related illnesses and has participated in trust fund settlements. M.H. Detrick’s role was primarily that of a distributor of hazardous asbestos products rather than a manufacturer.
Malleable Iron Range Company manufactured home heating ranges that were insulated with asbestos. Employees involved in production and consumers of these products were exposed to asbestos fibers. The company faced lawsuits alleging asbestos exposure-related illnesses. The Malleable Iron Range Company contributed to compensation efforts through asbestos trust funds.
Mergenthaler produced components for printing equipment with asbestos insulation designed to withstand high temperatures. Factory workers and maintenance personnel were exposed to asbestos fibers during production and servicing. The company became involved in asbestos litigation, resulting in workers’ compensation claims. Mergenthaler has participated in asbestos-related settlement funds.
Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing Company, better known as 3M, produced a broad range of products with asbestos, including adhesives, tapes, and insulation materials. Workers in manufacturing and users of 3M’s asbestos-containing products experienced significant exposure, leading to numerous health claims. 3M has been heavily involved in litigation and has settled numerous claims through asbestos trust funds. Its product diversity made it a major contributor to occupational asbestos exposure.
Mobil Oil extensively used asbestos for insulation on refinery pipes, boilers, and other equipment in its oil and gas operations. Workers involved in refinery operations faced exposure over prolonged periods. Mobil Oil faced litigation from employees with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related conditions, resulting in legal settlements. The company participated in trust funds to administer compensation for asbestos-exposure claims.
National Gypsum was a leading manufacturer of asbestos-containing drywall, joint compounds, and other gypsum products used widely in construction. The company’s products released asbestos fibers during manufacturing and building work, exposing many to the risk of disease. National Gypsum faced extensive asbestos litigation and contributed to asbestos trust funds to manage liabilities.
Nicolet and Keasbey & Mattison were major asbestos miners and product manufacturers supplying raw asbestos fibers and finished asbestos products globally. They were associated with widespread workplace exposure and have been implicated in large-scale asbestos exposure lawsuits.
These companies have been involved in bankruptcy proceedings and the formation of asbestos trust funds to handle claims and compensate victims.
North American Refractories produced industrial refractories and insulation products containing asbestos, used primarily in high-heat applications such as steel mills and power plants. Workers who handled and applied these materials were exposed to asbestos fibers. The company faced numerous asbestos lawsuits and has contributed to trust funds for claimant compensation.
Owens Corning Fiberglass was a major manufacturer of insulation products, some of which contained asbestos fibers, before the 1980s. The exposure to asbestos among manufacturing workers and installers led to claims of asbestos-related diseases.
The company has dealt with extensive litigation and bankruptcy proceedings, establishing trust funds to aid victims.
Owens-Illinois produced glass products and containers, some of which incorporated asbestos materials during manufacturing. Exposure to asbestos dust affected factory workers, contributing to health claims. Owens-Illinois has been involved in legal settlements related to asbestos liabilities.
Pacor manufactured gaskets, seals, and packing materials containing asbestos. Workers in production facilities and industries using Pacor’s products were exposed to airborne asbestos fibers. The company faced lawsuits stemming from asbestos exposure and contributed to asbestos trust funds for victims.
Pittsburgh Corning produced asbestos-containing insulation and structural building products, including foam glass insulation widely used across the U.S. The company’s products exposed workers and building occupants to extensive asbestos, leading to legal claims. Pittsburgh Corning has been involved in asbestos litigation settlements and trust fund arrangements.
Plibrico manufactured refractory products containing asbestos for use in high-temperature industrial settings. Exposure to asbestos fibers was everyday among workers who manufactured and applied Plibrico products. The company has faced numerous lawsuits and participated in asbestos victim compensation trusts.
Porter Hayden produced asbestos-containing insulation and cement products used in construction and industry. Workers and users of these products experienced asbestos exposure, leading to health claims. The company has participated in legal settlements and asbestos trust funds.
The Quigley Company was a manufacturer of asbestos-containing industrial insulation products. Workers involved in manufacturing and installing these products were exposed to airborne asbestos fibers. Quigley faced lawsuits for asbestos-related illnesses and has contributed to trust funds for compensating affected individuals.
Rapid-American and Philip Carey Manufacturing produced asbestos-containing roofing, insulation, and building products. Exposure to these products puts workers and consumers at risk. These companies faced extensive litigation and worked through asbestos trust funds to resolve claimants’ claims.
These companies manufactured automotive parts and industrial products with asbestos, including brake linings and gaskets. Workers in manufacturing plants and mechanics servicing vehicles experienced asbestos exposure, leading to disease claims. The companies participated in bankruptcy settlements and trust fund programs.
Republic Powdered Metals produced metal powders used in manufacturing, some of which contained asbestos-based materials. Exposure occurred among workers handling these powders. The company has been involved in asbestos litigation and contributed to compensation trusts.
Rock Wool Manufacturing Company produced mineral wool insulation products sometimes containing asbestos fibers. Workers involved in production and installation faced the risk of asbestos exposure. The company settled asbestos claims through trust funds set up for victims.
Rutland produced asbestos-containing fireproofing and insulation materials used in construction and industry. Workers and building occupants were exposed to hazardous asbestos fibers. Rutland was named in asbestos-related litigation and participated in trust settlements.
Shook & Fletcher manufactured thermal insulation and building materials that contained asbestos fibers. Exposure during manufacturing, installation, and maintenance led to lawsuits by affected workers. The company has settled asbestos-exposure claims through trust funds.
Synkoloid Company produced asbestos-containing insulating products for industrial applications. Workers manufacturing and installing these products were exposed to significant levels of asbestos. The company has dealt with legal claims and contributed to asbestos victim compensation funds.
Flintkote produced asbestos-containing roofing and insulation materials. Workers and users were exposed to asbestos fibers, resulting in health claims. The company faced litigation and contributed to asbestos trust funds to compensate victims.
Unarco manufactured pipeline insulation and other asbestos-containing products widely used in industrial construction. Exposure to asbestos fibers was widespread among workers and contractors. The company was involved in extensive asbestos lawsuits and trust fund compensations.
Union Carbide produced asbestos-containing products and operated asbestos mines, exposing workers to harmful fibers. The company has faced significant asbestos litigation and bankruptcy proceedings related to asbestos claims. It has contributed to the compensation of sufferers through asbestos trust funds.
W.R. Grace was a major mining and chemical company that played a significant role in the asbestos industry by mining and processing chrysotile asbestos. The company operated asbestos mines supplying raw fibers for various industrial applications, including insulation and cement products. W.R. Grace’s asbestos products caused widespread occupational exposure, leading to mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases among workers. The company became one of the primary defendants in asbestos litigation, with thousands of claims filed against it over several decades.
Facing mounting liabilities, W.R. Grace filed for bankruptcy in 2001 and established asbestos trust funds, which continue to process claims and compensate victims of asbestos exposure.
Western McArthur was a manufacturer of asbestos-containing roofing and construction materials widely used in commercial and residential buildings. The company’s products included asbestos cement roofing sheets and insulation materials. Employees involved in the production process and building workers installing these materials were exposed to hazardous asbestos fibers. Western McArthur faced legal challenges from individuals diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases linked to exposure to its products. The company has participated in asbestos-related litigation settlements and contributed to trust funds to compensate affected workers and consumers.
Since its discovery, asbestos has been mined and utilized due to its flexibility, heat resistance, and other properties. Manufacturers began adding it to insulation, pipes, boilers, gaskets, cement, roofing, brake pads, and other everyday products.
By the early 20th century, many asbestos companies were well aware of the harmful effects of asbestos on the human body. Instead of offering solutions, alternative minerals, and protective equipment, they kept the information to themselves in a bid to keep profits high.
As early as 1934, Johns-Manville were aware of the risks associated with asbestos. The company had conducted secret studies on asbestos exposure, but hid the results for decades.
During World War II, asbestos use skyrocketed due to the plethora of military contracts. The U.S. government mandated the use of asbestos insulation in ships.
At the height of its use, asbestos was found in over 3,000 products, primarily used in construction, shipbuilding, and manufacturing.
Common materials that used asbestos were ceiling tiles, joint compounds, paint, cement, drywall, and roofing. It was also used in the production of rope, cloth, and clothing. It was normal for shipbuilders to wear asbestos gloves and aprons.
To this day, the automotive industry uses asbestos in many parts, specifically brake pads and gaskets.
Despite the global bans, some countries continue to manufacture and use asbestos products. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the use of asbestos has dropped by 99.9% since 1973, and the Biden administration's ban on chrysotile asbestos is a significant step in the right direction. Despite the ban, chrysotile asbestos is still found in some cement, brake pads, and other textiles.
The EPA is still assessing the risk associated with other asbestos uses. The current ban gives companies 12 years to phase out the use of chrysotile asbestos and does not apply to different types.