International Telephone & Telegraph (ITT) & Asbestos Exposure
ITT has been a major electronics and industrial company for over 100 years. Asbestos was once used in wiring, insulation and electrical components. These and other ITT products exposed many workers and consumers to asbestos. If diagnosed with mesothelioma, they may have legal rights to compensation.
Request a Free 2026 Asbestos and Mesothelioma Guide
Asbestos Exposure at ITT
International Telephone & Telegraph (ITT) once used asbestos in its electronics and industrial products. The mineral was popular in these industries for its heat protection. But asbestos also poses serious health risks. Workers and consumers may have been exposed through ITT’s asbestos use.
For more than a century, ITT has been a prominent company with many subsidiaries. A quick look at its history and asbestos use:
- In the 1920s, ITT began as an early provider of international telecommunications services and telephone switching equipment.
- For several decades, it expanded as a manufacturer of electrical, piping and industrial products. It formed hundreds of subsidiaries, like Bell & Gosset, across many industries.
- Until the 1980s, workers at ITT and its subsidiaries used asbestos-containing gear and products. ITT products and components often included asbestos. Notable examples include cement pipes, insulation and gaskets.
Workers in many roles may have faced asbestos risks from ITT products. Those diagnosed with mesothelioma may be able to seek compensation.
ITT Quick Facts
- ITT has undergone several name changes. It may be recognizable as ITT Inc., ITT Corporation, ITT Kellogg, ITT Telecommunications and ITT Industries Inc.
- ITT has hundreds of subsidiaries and brands under its umbrella. Those known for past asbestos use include Bell & Gosset, Goulds Pumps Inc. and Grinnell LLC.
- In 2021, ITT transferred its asbestos liabilities to InTelCo (a subsidiary). This is similar to how other major companies have handled asbestos litigation.
- Approximately 20 ITT and subsidiary locations have been identified as exposure sites by asbestos bankruptcy trust funds.
High-Risk Occupations at ITT
Many workers were exposed to asbestos through ITT’s industrial and electrical manufacturing operations. Employees often worked in environments where asbestos was part of everyday activities. The mineral was used both to prevent factory fires and control heat in products.
ITT workers often handled or repaired equipment containing asbestos. Cutting gaskets, grinding parts or replacing insulation could also release asbestos dust. These activities are considered high risk for occupational asbestos exposure. Workers at risk of asbestos exposure from ITT include:
- Boiler workers
- Electricians
- Engineers
- HVAC workers
- Industrial workers
- Insulators
- Machinists
- Maintenance technicians
- Pipefitters
- Plant workers
- Plumbers
- Power plant workers
Families of these workers also faced secondary exposure risks. They could inhale or ingest asbestos that workers accidentally brought home on their bodies and gear.
- Don't lose your rights
- Free case evaluation
- Help filing VA claims
- Treatment for Vets
- Provide for loved ones
- $30 billion set aside
Asbestos Products Used and Manufactured at ITT
ITT used asbestos in many products for heat resistance and durability. Asbestos was found in materials both made and used by ITT. The company’s subsidiaries, especially Grinnell and Bell & Gossett, also relied on asbestos. Workers used asbestos-containing protective gear made by other companies. They regularly wore asbestos gloves and used asbestos pipe wraps.
Asbestos products ITT made or used include:
- Cement pipes
- Electrical components
- Gaskets
- Insulation
- Packing
- Pipe wraps
- Protective gear
- Pumps
- Valves
- Wires
In the 1980s, ITT and its subsidiaries stopped using asbestos in new products. But older products and equipment could still potentially expose workers to the mineral. Today, the company deals with ongoing legal claims tied to exposures through its older products and facilities.
Have a Question About Asbestos Exposure and International Telephone & Telegraph? Ask experienced mesothelioma advocate Jennifer Lucarelli Ask a Question
Compensation for ITT Employees With Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma patients who worked for ITT may qualify for financial compensation. The same may be true if patients worked for any of its subsidiaries. Mesothelioma lawyers can review clients’ work history and determine which asbestos companies may be at fault. For instance:
- The wife of a marine machinist who worked at Charleston Naval Base sued Grinnell.
- In another case, a pipefitter had worked for various companies at Newport News shipyards in Virginia. He filed a lawsuit against Grinnell.
- An 81-year-old plumber filed an asbestos lawsuit against Gilfillan (an ITT subsidiary). He received $1.6 million.
Potential legal options include mesothelioma lawsuits or asbestos trust fund claims. Both may lead to compensation for victims and their loved ones. It may help with lost income, medical costs and other related expenses.
Asbestos Trust Fund Claims
Many ITT, Grinnell and Bell & Gossett locations have been identified as known asbestos exposure sites by bankrupt asbestos companies that established trust funds. Its top location was Columbia, Pennsylvania.
| Asbestos Company Name | Eligibility Start Date | Eligibility End Date |
| A.P. Green | 1/1/1966 | |
| Eagle-Picher | ||
| United States Gypsum | 1/1/1966 | 1/2/1968 |
Other ITT, Grinnell and Bell & Gossett facilities identified by asbestos bankruptcy trust funds include the following locations:
- Cranston and Providence, RI
- Kernersville, NC
- Livermore, CA
- Morton Grove, IL
- Piketon and Warren, OH
- Princeton, KY
- Sacramento, CA
- Savannah, GA
Common Questions About Asbestos Exposure at ITT
What if I was exposed to asbestos while working at ITT?
Can you sue ITT for working around asbestos?
Can family members of ITT workers also file claims for mesothelioma?
Sources
Fintel. ITT Inc. – Subsidiaries of the Registrant – EX-21.1 – February 16, 2022.
In the United States District Court for the Eastern District Of Pennsylvania. CHRISTINE P. PACE, Plaintiff, v. 3M COMPANY, ET AL., Defendants.
InspectAPedia. Asbestos Electrical Wire Insulation & Asbestos Electrical Insulation Products.
ITT. History.
ITT. Industrial.
North Carolina Court of Appeals. JIMMIE CLARK, Employee-Plaintiff-Appellee, v. ITT GRINNELL INDUSTRIAL PIPING, INCORPORATED, Employer-Defendant-Appellant, LIBERTY MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY, Carrier-Defendant-Appellant, CIGNA INSURANCE COMPANY, Carrier-Defendant-Appellant.
United States District Court District of Connecticut. ITT CORPORATION AND GOULDS PUMPS, INC., Plaintiffs, v. TRAVELERS CASUALTY AND SURETY COMPANY (FORMERLY KNOWN AS THE AETNA CASUALTY, AND SURETY COMPANY), Defendant.
United States Securities and Exchange Commission. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES.
Financial Assistance for Mesothelioma Patients
Tara Strand specializes in writing content about mesothelioma and asbestos. She focuses on topics like mesothelioma awareness, research, treatment, asbestos trust funds and other advocacy efforts.
Legally
Reviewed by
Jennifer Lucarelli
Mesothelioma Lawyer and Legal Advisor
For more than two decades, Jennifer Lucarelli has served as Legal Advisor at Mesothelioma.com. She has advocated for more than 1,000 asbestos victims, securing millions in settlements and helping them access quality medical care.