Furnace Cement
Asbestos was most often lauded for its unique fire- and heat-resistant properties. It was used in a plethora of products that demanded these properties so that fires could be avoided. Asbestos could be combined with a number of other materials for various applications and still retain its fire-resistant properties.
One of the materials with which asbestos was often combined was cement. There were many instances in which cement was used near equipment that operated at high temperatures and the addition of asbestos would help assure that fires would not occur or that people would not be burnt by high temperatures. Furnace cement, for example, was used around boilers and furnaces to quarantine a fire in the case that one occurred. It also kept the area around the furnace or boiler cool.
To make furnace cement, the manufacturers mixed asbestos fibers with Portland cement to create a durable and fireproof mixture. The concentration of asbestos varied from product to product, but one thing soon became clear…asbestos-containing furnace cement could be dangerous to the health of those exposed to the product. Those who mixed the cement with water prior to application may have been prone to inhaling airborne fibers during the mixing process. Those who laid or formed the cement may have also been exposed. Finally, anyone exposed to the furnace cement when it became old, damaged, or crumbly may have also inhaled airborne fibers.
Why are asbestos fibers dangerous? Fibers that come from asbestos are long, thin, and sharp. They are easily inhaled by humans and can work their way through the respiratory system, eventually becoming lodged in the chest area, most often in the pleura, the lining that covers the lungs. The fibers cannot be expelled once they are inhaled and will eventually cause inflammation and scarring in the lungs. For some people, this results in pleural plaques, a thickening of certain areas of the lungs. Other people develop asbestosis, which causes coughing, chest pain, and difficulty breathing. In some cases, the inflammation turns into a tumor and the cancer mesothelioma. Meso is a very serious disease that progresses quickly and often results in death within a year of diagnosis.
So, why did companies use asbestos in products such as furnace cement if it was dangerous? Well, some companies claim they did not know about the dangers of asbestos until the U.S. government issued warnings in the late 1970s. However, documents discovered during the last few decades show that many asbestos product manufacturers did indeed know about the mineral’s hazards but did nothing to protect their employees or others who used their products. In turn, many individuals developed serious asbestos-related diseases.
Did you work with furnace cement containing asbestos? Have you developed mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure? If so, you have legal rights, especially if you were a victim of an asbestos cover-up. For more information and to learn about your right to monetary compensation, order our free mesothelioma information guide.
Last modified: September 23 2008.
