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Furnace Cement
Cement that is used within furnaces must be able to endure extremely hot temperatures. In some cases, the level of heat inside these furnaces gets up to and even beyond 2000 degrees Fahrenheit. The cement is often utilized to seal metal joints and fill minor gaps, so it will be exposed to great amounts of heat.
To make sure the cement is able to survive the high temperatures, very specific ingredients are used. In the past, one of the more common components was a mineral called asbestos that is naturally heat and fire resistant. Aside from being able to endure fire, it is also a surprisingly strong material, which made it an excellent resource for cement products.
But there was a major problem. Asbestos was used for decades before it was recognized as being an extreme health hazard. The mineral is toxic, and can cause respiratory damage and cancerous diseases such as asbestosis and Mesothelioma. These conditions begin when a person inadvertently inhales microscopic particles of the material. When this happens, they will remain indefinitely inside the respiratory system, and can do irreparable damage for years. To make matters worse, it can take more than a decade for symptoms of these problems to become noticeable, so any person may be developing an illness for quite some time before it is ever diagnosed.
A solid chunk of Furnace Cement will not be a hazard, but if it breaks apart or crumbles then the small asbestos particles can easily escape and become airborne. The same thing will happen while the mixture is being made, so it can be a danger at most any time. As public awareness began to grow about these dangers, lawsuits were filed against the manufacturers that utilized this toxic mineral. Many companies immediately stopped using it, but others did not. They also did not bother to warn their employees that they were working with a dangerous material. Workers could have easily worn protective gear to avoid ingesting asbestos, but since they were not warned many were exposed, became sick and even died.
If you were affected by asbestos that was found in furnace cement or any other product, you should know what your legal rights are. Most manufacturers of these goods have established trust funds to provide monetary compensation for their victims. Find out if you are eligible to file a personal injury claim, and what you should do if you have been exposed to asbestos by requesting our informational kit. It is free to the public and available right away.