Asbestos has been used to provide insulation in a wide variety of products since the 1900s. Asbestos was an attractive material for insulation because it was extremely resistant to high temperatures, and it was also flexible, durable and cost effective. For much of the 20th century, individuals who installed insulation were referred to as "asbestos workers" because they handled the material so frequently.

While the use of asbestos was gradually phased out in the U.S. in the 1980s due to an increased awareness of the dangers surrounding the substance, asbestos still remains present in insulation in many older homes, commercial buildings and other products.

Common Uses of Asbestos Insulation

Asbestos has been widely used to provide insulation in the following areas:

Homes
Industrial buildings (factories, warehouses, etc.)
Municipal buildings (schools, hospitals, etc.)
Cars
Boats and ships
Electrical wiring
Household appliances (toasters, hair dryers, etc.)
Space shuttles

These are just some of the products that were frequently manufactured with asbestos insulation. The presence of asbestos insulation in such a wide array of products and buildings has placed thousands of individuals at risk of asbestos exposure over the years.

Common Forms of Asbestos Insulation

Asbestos insulation has been supplied in a number of different forms. Some common forms include:

Insulating mix – Insulating mix containing asbestos has been commonly used to provide temperature protection for pipes and other construction products. One of the most commonly-used brands of asbestos insulating mix was HiTemp pipe covering.
Insulation coating – Insulation coating containing asbestos was used between the 1930s and the 1970s. Insulation coating is a versatile material that can be used to maintain appropriate temperatures in a wide variety of systems.
Insulation ducts – Insulation ducts containing asbestos have been used in the ceilings and the floors of both homes and commercial buildings. Asbestos is generally present on the outer surfaces of the ducts, not specifically in direct contact with the air stream. While the asbestos within insulation ducts does not easily become friable, asbestos fibers can still be released when insulation ducts are renovated or otherwise roughly disturbed.
Insulation jacketing – Insulation jacketing containing asbestos has been used to seal insulation over ductwork in a number of manufacturing plants and other environments that are often exposed to high temperatures and high levels of stress. Insulation jacketing is typically self-adhesive and provides protection from harsh weather and other common sources of deterioration.
Insulation sealant – Insulation sealant containing asbestos has been used to seal and insulate pipes, duct work and other areas that may be subjected to damage due to harsh weather, high temperatures, moisture and other causes of deterioration. Insulation sealant was typically supplied in a paste-like form that made the substance easy to apply to abnormal surfaces such as the corners or abnormally-shaped areas of a system.
Calcium silicate insulation – Calcium silicate insulation containing asbestos was commonly used in pipe lagging. The substance was also used in walls, ceilings and floors. Calcium silicate is made from a number of different minerals and is known for its light-weight nature. Asbestos was commonly added to calcium silicate in order to add sturdiness and fire-resistance.

Additional forms of asbestos insulation include:

Blankets
Cements
Cloth
Paper products
Plasters
Pre-molded forms

Insulation Brands that Commonly Contained Asbestos

Asbestos has been used in a wide variety of brand name insulation products over the years. Some of the most common brands include:

Air Cell
Gold Bond
HiTemp
Kaylo
Limpet
Marinite
Monokote
Superex
Super 66
Unibestos

Individuals Commonly Affected by Asbestos Insulation Exposure

Workers in certain occupations that have required the extensive handling of asbestos insulation are generally at a significantly higher risk of asbestos exposure and asbestos-related diseases than other individuals.

Workers frequently placed at high risk of asbestos insulation exposure include:

Insulation contractors
Insulation manufacturers and distributors
Construction or demolition workers
Maintenance workers
Plumbers
Steamfitters
Power plant workers
Oil refinery workers
Chemical plant and aluminum plant workers
Aerospace workers
Electricians
Members of the military, particularly of the Navy

In addition to these workers, individuals have often been exposed to asbestos insulation outside of the occupational realm. Many individuals have been exposed to asbestos as the result of contaminated insulation in their home, school or office.

OSHA Has Issue with Company Doing Asbestos Abatement at Buffalo Housing Project
05/24/2012 - One of the biggest asbestos-abatement jobs ever done in Buffalo, New York, is being handled now by a local company with a history of asbestos-related ..
Mesothelioma Patients Hopeful on Anti-Cancer Drugs Entering Clinical Trial Phase
05/23/2012 - A new class of anti-cancer drugs is nearing the clinical trial phase and may eventually be available for treatment of aggressive diseases like pancrea ..
Crazy Indian Mascot, Made with Asbestos Tiles, Still Loved at Illinois High School
05/23/2012 - School districts all across America have been wrestling in recent years with the task of removing and disposing of toxic asbestos from older buildings ..

© 2012 The Mesothelioma Center | Last Modified Tuesday, December 20th, 2011 | 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.