Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corporation
The Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corporation first invented fiberglass in 1938. An insulating material, fiberglass has become the most popular choice of insulation for homes and other structures and can now be found in nearly 90 percent of American homes. Today, Owens-Corning is the world's largest fiberglass maker.
Unfortunately, some forms of Owens-Corning Fiberglas contained asbestos fibers, which put millions of individuals who came into contact with the products at risk for asbestos-related diseases and cancer.
History of Owens-Corning Fiberglas
In the 1930s at the height of the Great Depression, the American glassworking corporation Owens-Illinois Glass began experimenting with a very fine glass fiber that could be formed when glass rods were melted at extremely high temperatures. The commercial uses of the flexible, durable filaments – later named “Fiberglas” – quickly became apparent, and in 1938, Owens-Illinois merged with Corning Glass Works, the nation’s premier manufacturer of glass products, to create a new company called Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corporation.
During World War II, Owens-Corning Fiberglas manufactured insulation and fireproofing materials that were widely used in war ships and aircraft. The director of Owens-Corning served on President Roosevelt's War Production Board during the war, and the demand for fiberglass reached a new high during the post-war housing boom. No other company could match the effectiveness of fiberglass as home insulation, and its 1957 promotional campaign known as the “Comfort Conditioned Home" became a favorite American catchphrase.
The company went public in 1952, and from the 1960s through the 1980s, Owens-Corning continued to expand successfully into new markets. In 1986, the company dealt with a hostile takeover bid by taking on $2.5 billion dollars worth of debt, a move from which Owens-Corning never recovered. An economic slowdown in 1989 undercut the company's tremendous profits in the construction industry. Adding to the company's financial woes was an onslaught of asbestos-related litigation. In 1990, Owens-Corning was the defendant in roughly 84,500 asbestos-related lawsuits.
The company's decline continued throughout the 1990s, and the company acquired Fibreboard Corporation, a manufacturer of asbestos-containing products, in 1997. Soon after the acquisition of Fibreboard, Owens-Corning filed a lawsuit against the tobacco industry after it was discovered that the use of tobacco products contributed to the risk of developing asbestos-related diseases in those individuals exposed to asbestos in Owens-Corning products and other products.
Owens-Corning filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in October 2000, while facing a massive settlement of 243,000 asbestos-related claims. Part of the company's reorganization plan involved the creation in 2006 of the Owens-Corning Fibreboard Asbestos Personal Injury Trust, which was funded with nearly $7 billion in liabilities. By 2008, the trust had paid out more than $361 million worth of asbestos-related claims.
Use of Asbestos in Owens-Corning Products
In order to enhance the fire proofing and heat insulating properties of Owens-Corning Fiberglas insulation and cement, asbestos was often added.
Owens-Corning Fiberglas products that may have contained asbestos include:
- Kaylo heat insulating block (for temperatures up to 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit)
- Kaylo pipe insulation
- Kaylo duct insulation
- Kaylo equipment insulation
- Kaylo cold storage systems
- Kaylo insulating roof tile
- One Cote Cement
Asbestos was found in Kaylo insulation products from the 1950s until 1972, when the mineral was finally removed from the product due to health concerns. However, many internal company memos suggest that Owens-Corning knew of the serious health risks associated with asbestos in their products as early as 1948, but the company chose to advertise the products as "non-toxic" for decades after.
Asbestos-containing cement was particularly hazardous to the health of workers and consumers, as the cement was supplied in powdered form. When the cement bags were opened prior to mixing, microscopic asbestos fibers were easily released into the air, posing an inhalation risk for anyone nearby. Excessive handling, cutting, tearing or sanding of asbestos-containing cement or asbestos insulation also poses a significant health hazard.
Owens-Corning Fiberglas Litigation
The first lawsuits against Owens-Corning emerged in 1978, when two shipyard workers who had developed asbestosis chose to file a class-action lawsuit on behalf of 5,000 other workers. The lawsuit, filed against Owens-Corning and 14 other manufacturers of asbestos-containing products, claimed that the companies knew about the dangers of asbestos as early as 1938, but failed to properly warn workers of the risks.
Asbestosis is a progressive lung disease which has been conclusively linked to asbestos exposure. Symptoms of asbestos-related diseases may not appear until 20 to 50 years after initial exposure.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with asbestosis or mesothelioma as a result of exposure to Owens-Corning products, you may wish to speak with a Patient Advocate at the Mesothelioma Center to find out more information about symptoms, diagnosis and treatment options. Please call (800) 615-2270 to speak with a Patient Advocate, or fill out the form on this page.
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© 2012 The Mesothelioma Center |
Last Modified Thursday, February 9th, 2012 | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy |
The information provided by The Mesothelioma Center is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
Sponsored by a law firm concentrating in asbestos litigation, The Peterson Firm, LLP with offices at 1350 Connecticut Ave, NW, Fifth Floor, Washington DC 20036.
