Unarco Cloth

When people think about the different uses for asbestos, many products might come to mind. It was well known as a base for insulation, rubber gaskets, cement, heavy duty boards and a variety of other goods, especially for the construction industry. Most people probably won't think of cloth in relation to this remarkably strong mineral, but asbestos was actually used for clothing, table cloths and similar items as far back as the ancient Greek empire.

Even back then the material was recognized for having the innate ability to withstand fire. Some groups would actually clean their asbestos cloth goods by holding them in a fire to burn off dirt or other impurities. People who had never witnessed this before were amazed to see that the cloth would remain intact, and come out of the blaze fresh and unsoiled.

Records show that some people were also aware of the dangers asbestos presented back in these ancient times. They noted that the people who mined the mineral often died at a very young age because of respiratory diseases they developed after inhaling microscopic particles of the substance. The more time workers spent around asbestos, the more likely they became to fall ill and experience immense difficulty breathing. The dangers this toxic material presented caused it to not be used for many years.

Somehow this knowledge was not understood at the start of the American Industrial Revolution. The mineral was found in large deposits, and mined by the ton. Manufacturers began to utilize it for numerous goods, and the material was soon being used in almost every facet of human life. Companies such as Unarco included it in every product they produced. In fact, Unarco was originally known as the Union Asbestos & Rubber Company when it was first established in Bloomington, IL.

Unarco created a heavy duty cloth that had asbestos as one of its base ingredients. While the cloth was strong and built to last, it was also a health hazard to anyone who made or used it. The danger was most common during the manufacturing process and anytime the cloth was ripped or torn. In both instances, asbestos particles would become airborne, where they could be breathed in and turn into a source of great damage.

Today we recognize the results of asbestos exposure, and have given names to the respiratory disorders and diseases it causes, such as asbestosis and mesothelioma. By now the mineral has been banned for production uses, but there is no guarantee that all the products like Unarco Cloth have been properly disposed of. Any such item that is still around will continue to present a threat to anyone who gets near it. For this reason, new cases of illness caused by asbestos exposure are regularly reported, and will continue to be diagnosed.

Mesothelioma survivors are few in number as there is no cure for the disease. Mesothelioma in women is not seen as much as it is in men. This is mostly because women were subjected to secondary asbestos exposure while washing the clothes that their husbands wore on the job while working with asbestos. The mesothelioma survival rate and life expectancy statistics, however, are the same whether male or female. Fortunately, there are top mesothelioma doctors like Dr. David Sugarbaker practicing at leading mesothelioma clinics that offer treatment options to help with quality of life for those who have been diagnosed. Experimental treatments like mesothelioma immunotherapy are available as well as advanced chemotherapy drug treatment using Alimta®, Navelbine and Onconase. More treatment information can be found in the mesothelioma treatment guide.

Those who have been harmed by products that were made with this toxic material may have a right to monetary compensation. Most of the manufacturers who used it filed for bankruptcy, but in order to stay in business they were forced to create trust funds to pay off current and new victims. Unarco declared bankruptcy in 1982, and their trust fund continues to be active. Find out how you can receive the compensation you deserve if you or a loved one were afflicted by their products. You can do so by requesting a copy of our free brochure that covers this and several other related topics.