Owens Corning 660 Cement
The manufacturer of 660 Cement was Owens Corning, a company that is well known for their insulation products that come in a shade of bright pink. They also produced several other products, especially for the construction industry, including this ultra heavy duty cement.
Asbestos was utilized as a key component in hundreds of different products, including 660 Cement. Every type of cement must be thick, strong and able to survive under most any conditions for decades. This includes intense heat, water and even fire, and thanks to asbestos this product was able to accomplish all of that in a very inexpensive manner.
During the time when 660 Cement was made, people were not yet aware of the dangers that asbestos presented. Exposure to the mineral can lead to a respiratory disorder called asbestosis or even mesothelioma, a type of cancer. Millions of Americans have fallen ill because of products that contained the hazardous substance, and sadly the conditions it causes are often fatal as there is no mesothelioma cure. Doctors at some of the best mesothelioma cancer centers now have some advanced treatment options that they can offer including multi-modality therapy, mesothelioma immunotherapy, photo-dynamic therapy and brachytherapy. New drug options are also available including Gemcitabine, Alimta®, Navelbine and Onconase. Despite these advances, mesothelioma carries a short life exptectancy and there a low numbers of mesothelioma survivors. Our mesothelioma treatment guide offers more information on this topic.
A solid block of cement is perfectly safe, but anytime it is broken, sanded or manipulated in any way, microscopic particles of asbestos have a chance to break off and become airborne. They are small enough that people can inhale them without even realizing it, and that's when the damage begins. People who have developed mesothelioma from exposure to asbestos have filed many lawsuits against the companies that included asbestos in their products. Companies who were being sued often filed for bankruptcy protection, as Owens Corning did in 2000. This allowed them to reorganize, escape the large debt they had incurred and continue to operate while producing safe goods. In exchange, they were also forced to set up trust funds to pay off all incomplete and ongoing claims.
660 Cement was widely used, and it is likely that there is still much of it in public locations. The asbestos it contains remains a health hazard, so people who get close to it may be at risk. If you were made sick simply by being around items that were made out of this toxic substance, or because you worked for a construction company that mixed and poured the asbestos-containing cement, you may be eligible to file a personal injury claim. Find out how to proceed and what your rights our by reading our free brochure. Request a copy today for immediate delivery.
