Refractory Cement
During much of the twentieth century, myriad building products were manufactured using asbestos. Contractors, construction workers, and tradesmen often came in contact with asbestos during their everyday duties, be it replacing a roof on an older house, installing a boiler in a factory, or hanging drywall in a new home. The building industry used asbestos for many reasons, the main one being that the mineral made products extremely durable and long-lasting. Furthermore, asbestos was inexpensive and readily available, which meant it increased bottom line profits for the many companies that made use of it.
Cement products of different varieties often contained asbestos and, in some cases, the manufacturers of these products used the mineral not only for its low cost and durability but also because it was able to resist high temperatures and fire. Refractory cement, for example, was a type of cement used to insulate such equipment as furnaces, fireplaces, stoves, incinerators, and forges. It could often withstand temperatures of up to nearly 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit and it may have contained fairly large percentages of asbestos fibers.
Asbestos-containing refractory cement was manufactured by a variety of companies. Most bragged about the unique qualities of their products and continued to manufacture them, despite the fact that some CEOs and company owners knew that asbestos exposure was dangerous. As a matter of fact, investigations have even turned up evidence that doctors warned many asbestos manufacturers that the mineral was making their employees sick yet the companies continued to make the asbestos-containing products.
Anyone who worked directly with asbestos in a factory that produced refractory cement or other similar cement products may have been exposed to the toxic mineral and may have inhaled hazardous fibers. In addition, any contractors, construction workers, pipefitters, steamfitters, plumbers, boilermakers, or other tradespeople that used refractory cement while on the job may have been exposed as well, especially when the cement was cut, sanded, grinded, or damaged in a way that would allow asbestos fibers to be released.
Why are asbestos fibers dangerous? Simply put, asbestos fibers – which are long and sharp – can be easily inhaled and may eventually become lodged in the area around the lungs. One can not “cough up” or expel these fibers once they are inhaled. In turn, they stay lodged in the lungs and cause scarring and inflammation, which can result in a number of debilitating symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, coughing, and pain. In some cases, the scarring becomes and tumor and the individual is diagnosed with mesothelioma, a cancer for which the only known cause is asbestos. Mesothelioma is deadly and few treatment options exist though more are being developed each year.
If you have mesothelioma and were exposed to refractory cement, you may be eligible to receive compensation for your illness to cover items such as medical expenses, loss of income, and other costs. For more information about the disease and about your legal rights, order our free mesothelioma information kit today.
Last modified: September 23 2008.
