HyTemp Block
During the early 1900's, most of the insulating materials produced in America contained a naturally occurring mineral called asbestos. It featured all the positive attributes necessary to make a powerful and effective block of insulation. The mineral is strong and yet pliable, able to endure under extreme temperatures and resistant to fire. In fact, it was highly prized as a flame retardant material.
HyTemp Block is a thick section of insulation that was installed in thousands of homes, offices and other buildings for several years. Because it contained asbestos, it was deemed an ideal solution for insulating pipes, ductwork and machinery that produced extremely high temperatures. However, it was that same ingredient which made the product hazardous to human health.
Asbestos was used by manufacturers for nearly one hundred years before a startling discovery was made that would affect people nationwide: it is a toxic substance. While a solid block of insulation does not pose any threat, when the product is cut, torn or pulled apart, microscopic particles of asbestos can break off and become airborne. People can then breathe in these particles without even realizing it, and that is where the danger begins. Those who are unlucky enough to ingest the material are likely to develop respiratory problems such as tissue scarring, respiratory troubles that make breathing very difficult, or even cancerous diseases. The most common type of cancer caused by asbestos exposure is mesothelioma (including pericardial mesothelioma), which is often fatal because there is no known mesothelioma cure. As such, mesothelioma doctors are often forced to deliver a poor prognosis to patients diagnosed with the disease largely because it has a fairly long latency period making detection difficult. Unfortunately, the number of mesothelioma survivors is low. Browse our mesothelioma treatment guide for additional information about this asbestos disease.
During the 1970's people began to realize the dangers of asbestos and the fact that it is one of the primary mesothelioma causes, and its use was eventually forbidden by Environmental Protection Agency regulations. By that time products containing the poisonous material were in countless locations all over the country. Much of the contaminated insulation has been removed, but more of it is very likely still in use today. When HyTemp Block or any other goods that were made with asbestos are discovered, they should not be touched or disturbed in any way. Instead, a certified professional, skilled in mesothelioma prevention protocol, should be called upon to remove and dispose of every trace of the contaminated items. This process can be very dangerous if it is not handled properly.
Lawsuits have been filed against companies that manufactured products containing asbestos by mesothelioma attorneys. If such products have impacted your health, you may have legal recourses available to you. To find out more about what your options are, and what you should do if you have been harmed because of asbestos, request a copy of our informational brochure. This service is provided at absolutely no cost to you.
