Asbestos in Thermal Packing Material
Concerned that asbestos in thermal packing material could cause asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma? Learn more below.
What is thermal packing material?
Thermal packing material is a very durable, insulative material that usually resembles a thick rope (it also comes loose). It comes in a wide range of thicknesses and construction - braided, twisted, round, square, and woven or coated with metal or rubber. Asbestos continues to be the most widely used material for packing material. Asbestos packing material is generally used for making internal seals around industrial pumps shafts and pipe valve stems. Because they are usually contained and concealed within heavy equipment, asbestos packing material is often overlooked in asbestos surveys.
Compounding the inherent hazards of asbestos packing material was how it was cut and/or removed from their original housings. Asbestos thermal packing material was usually dry cut onsite with hand-saws or common serrated knives, thus making the ends friable and releasing dangerous asbestos fibers into the air.
Manufacturers of asbestos packing material included Chesterton, John Crane, Anchor, Garlock, and many others. Unfortunately, asbestos packing material is still manufactured in countries such as China and India for export to the US and many other countries.
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How asbestos exposure can lead to malignant mesothelioma
Asbestos is a natural fibrous mineral. When asbestos fibers become airborne, they behave like microscopic knives when inhaled. Once inside a person’s body, asbestos fibers become embedded in organ tissue, where they remain to wreak havoc on the organ lining. Eventually the tissue becomes irritated and scarred, leading first to shortness of breath and then possibly more serious complications such as asbestosis and in rare cases, malignant mesothelioma, a deadly form of cancer that affects the lungs, stomach or heart.
Exposed to asbestos? Contact a mesothelioma attorney today
If you had a job where you manufactured, installed, or simply used asbestos and have developed mesothelioma as a result, mesothelioma law is there to protect you. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related disease from workplace or home exposure to asbestos, contact an experienced mesothelioma attorneys immediately. Mesothelioma attorneys have helped thousands of mesothelioma patients win compensation for lost wages and medical costs.