01. Asbestos Use in Adhesives
Why Was Asbestos Used in Adhesives?
Until the 1980s, adhesives were commonly made with asbestos. Asbestos was a popular additive because of its strength and ability to withstand high temperatures.
Asbestos adhesives, bondings and sealants were used to strengthen a variety of construction materials. For example, these products were often used to adhere insulation to pipes and boilers.
Asbestos Adhesives History At-a-Glance
- Other Names: Heavy-duty adhesives, bonding, construction mastics, glue, sealants
- Years of Manufacture: 1880s – Present
- Military Use: Air Force, Army, Marines, Merchant Marines, Navy
- Asbestos Use Banned: No
- Noteworthy Brands: American Olean Tile Company, Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing (3M), National Gypsum Company, Owens Corning/Fibreboard Corporation
In addition to the construction industry, asbestos adhesives were also heavily used by the military. During World War II, the need for sealers and bondings increased. Asbestos adhesive products were frequently used on naval vessels to seal walls and insulate the interior.
Due to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) laws and regulations, many companies now use asbestos adhesive alternatives. However, the mineral is not banned in the U.S. Up to 1% of some products may still contain asbestos.
Where Are Asbestos Adhesives Found?
Asbestos adhesives may still be found in some old structures. To avoid exposure, homeowners and workers should be aware of areas that may contain asbestos. In a home or other building, asbestos adhesives may be present in:
- Ceiling tiles
- Floor covering
- Floor tiles
- HVAC systems
- Pipes
- Roofing materials
- Vinyl tiles
- Wall panels
If asbestos-containing materials are found in the home, individuals should contact an asbestos abatement contractor. Abatement professionals can safely remove and dispose of asbestos. These products may be dangerous if not properly removed.
If asbestos materials are disturbed, asbestos fibers may be released into the air. Airborne asbestos can create a health hazard if people inhale fibers.
02. List of Asbestos Adhesives
Asbestos Adhesive Product List
Asbestos was a common additive to a variety of adhesive products. Products such as mastic adhesives were first created by dumping loose asbestos fibers into a solvent to create a solution.
Adhesive products may have contained 1 – 25% asbestos. When workers mixed asbestos into an adhesive, they created a cloud of asbestos dust. This put workers and individuals nearby at risk of asbestos exposure. Adhesive products that may contain asbestos include:
- Adhesive
- Black mastics
- Caulking
- Fibrous adhesive
- Joint compound
- Mastics
- Mortar
- Putty
- Sealer
- Spackling
- Tape
- Welding rods
Many asbestos companies were responsible for manufacturing adhesive products. For years, these companies knew the health risks of asbestos but continued to use the mineral.
03. Adhesives & Asbestos Exposure
Who Is at Risk of Asbestos Exposure From Adhesives?
Workers in the construction, HVAC and shipbuilding industries used asbestos adhesives. While handling asbestos materials, these workers may have experienced occupational asbestos exposure. Individuals who made adhesive materials also risked exposure.
During construction projects, renovations or demolitions, asbestos-containing materials may become disturbed. During these activities, workers may be exposed to asbestos dust.
Homeowners and residents may also risk asbestos exposure if their home was built before 1980. As products age, joints and seals may crumble. If adhesive products become friable, asbestos fibers may be released into the air.
Asbestos in the air may put individuals at risk of developing asbestos illnesses such as asbestosis, lung cancer or mesothelioma.
04. Asbestos Lawsuits
Asbestos Lawsuits, Settlements & Other Compensation
Individuals who developed mesothelioma as a result of using asbestos adhesives may seek financial compensation. To receive compensation, asbestos victims may file a mesothelioma lawsuit. Asbestos victims may also file:
Mesothelioma lawyers may help asbestos victims and their loved ones determine which legal option to pursue. Many individuals exposed to asbestos adhesives have filed successful lawsuits.
$48 Million Awarded to Construction Business Owner
In 2011, a former construction company owner was diagnosed with mesothelioma. The man owned his own construction business from 1964 to 1994.
The man didn’t work as a laborer, but he was often present when workers sanded joint compounds and other materials. As a result, he was frequently exposed to asbestos dust.
After his mesothelioma diagnosis, the man and his wife filed an asbestos lawsuit against several companies. These companies all made asbestos-containing joint compound used at his jobsites:
- Georgia-Pacific Corporation
- Hamilton Materials, Inc.
- Kaiser Gypsum Company, Inc.
- Kelly-Moore Paints
Union Carbide was also named in the lawsuit. The company supplied raw asbestos used in joint compounds. At the end of the trial, a jury awarded the couple $30 million in compensatory damages and $18 million in punitive damages.
A jury award or mesothelioma settlement may cover expenses related to a diagnosis. Patients exposed to asbestos adhesive products may contact a mesothelioma law firm to seek compensation.
