Sheets of cork are often used as building materials, as it is an effective insulation material. During the 1970s, asbestos fibers were used to strengthen cork materials due to its ability to withstand high temperatures.

Cork Board and Cork-Covering

Cork board is a low-density, elastic material that is commonly used in construction in residential homes and commercial buildings. Cork boards may be placed under floor tiles and in walls as a fire prevention measure and as a way to sound-proof rooms. The spongy material of cork helps absorb sound and reduce noise levels.

Cork-covering is a type of decorative covering that may be applied to walls and ceilings. This material may also be used in industrial settings as a type of insulation around pipes, cover plates for washing machines and gear cases.

Cork board sheets and coverings that are disturbed during installation or building renovation may emit asbestos fibers. Tearing, moving or damaging asbestos-containing cork boards may release fibers from the cork, exposing construction workers, homeowners or anyone nearby to asbestos that can be breathed in or inhaled.

Cork-Filled Mastic

Asbestos cork-filled mastic is a paste-like cement that contains graded cork, mineral fillers and asbestos fibers and may be used as an adhesive during construction. This product is often applied as an insulation material that protects pipes used in cooling industries such as refrigeration.

Cork-filled mastic may be applied to the following surfaces:

Metal tanks
Air ducts
Pipe lines
Pipe ducts

The material also helps prevent the build-up of moisture on pipes due to low thermal conductivity.

The product may be applied using a trowel, hand or mastic spray equipment, and during the application of cork-filled mastic, asbestos fibers may easily become airborne. Construction workers and those nearby may be exposed to asbestos.

Cork Products and Mesothelioma

Released asbestos fibers that have become airborne may be inhaled or ingested by those near the asbestos-containing product. Once in the body, the fibers may become lodged in the mesothelium, or the thin membrane lining the internal organs. The fibers cannot be displaced from the membrane and can cause inflammation and irritation in the mesothelium, which may result in severe health conditions including mesothelioma and asbestosis.

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The information provided by The Mesothelioma Center is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
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