Zonolite

The W.R. Grace Company produced many different products since they were originally founded in 1854. Grace featured two separate divisions that each created their own specific goods, such as a type of insulation they called Zonolite. This was a trademarked name for their particular insulating materials.

To make Zonolite tough and able to endure very high temperatures and even fire, a material called vermiculite was used as a primary ingredient. This is a mineral that is very powerful and has many beneficial qualities, but unfortunately it is often found next to another naturally occurring mineral called asbestos. Particles of asbestos regularly mix in with the vermiculite, and the combined result was mined by the truckload.

Asbestos was also thought of as an extremely advantageous resource for decades, until it was discovered to be poisonous. Insulation and other products made from asbestos take on the mineral's incredible strength and durability. It also is a natural fire retardant, which makes it ideal for products like Zonolite. Unfortunately, due to its toxic nature people who work with or around this material are likely to become very ill after ingesting microscopic particles that tend to break free and become airborne. This tends to lead to chronic respiratory disorders, tissue scarring and asbestos cancers.

Mesothelioma is the most well known cancerous disease that is caused by asbestos. There is no cure, and survival rates are low for its victims. People who contract the disease will suffer from difficulty with breathing, dangerous amounts of weight loss, and tremendous chest pain. Even though asbestos has been banned for many years, new cases of this disease continue to be discovered today. The two primary reasons for this are that the effects of exposure to asbestos often take more than a decade to develop (i.e. there is a long mesothelioma latency period), and that there are still a multitude of goods that contain the toxic mineral in homes, businesses, churches, schools and other locations all throughout the United States. Even after most companies discontinued the use of asbestos because of the health hazard it posed, a few business owners refused to give up the precious material. To save money, they didn't notify their employees or the public that their wares were made with this poisonous substance. This allowed them to continue making a large profit margin, but cost many people their health, and even their lives.

Both men and women are diagnosed with mesothelioma and smoking has been shown to increase the chances of developing the disease if asbestos exposure has occurred. The best prevention against mesothelioma is the use of proper equipment while working with asbestos but a mesothelioma vaccine has been developed and approved for use as well. Our mesothelioma resources center provides links to more information sources on this topic. For treatment information, please consult our mesothelioma treatment guide.

W.R. Grace was a major offender of continuing to use asbestos in their product line. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and thousands of victims filed lawsuits against W.R. Grace for their negligent policies which harmed the environment and the public. By 2001, the company filed for bankruptcy protection to allow them to escape the massive debt that loomed overhead. In exchange for establishing a trust fund to pay off all valid personal injury claims from people who were harmed by products such as Zonolite, Grace was given this protection. They were allowed to reorganize and continue operating without the use of any hazardous materials.

Anyone who discovers Zonolite or other goods that contain asbestos is advised to leave it alone. EPA estimates indicate that as many as 35 million houses featured this insulation at one time, so much of it is likely to still be in use. As long as the insulation is in one solid piece, it is not a danger, but if it is cut, damaged or moved then tiny bits of the material will likely leak out and become airborne. A certified professional must remove and dispose of these contaminated goods. They are trained to properly manage this task safely, so that no one is put at risk.

Were you among the millions who suffered as a result of purchasing products that contained asbestos? Do you want to find out how to demand monetary compensation? Let us help you. We have collected this information and much more in a single brochure. Request one today, and it will be shipped to you immediately at no charge.