The dangerous connection between asbestos and plastic products
Most people know that asbestos is commonly found in older homes and buildings, particularly in floor tiles, ceiling tiles, pipe insulation, and roofing materials.
But we typically don’t hear too much about asbestos and plastic.
Well, if you ever worked in compression molding, there’s a chance you were exposed to asbestos.
Is There Asbestos in Plastic Products?
Asbestos is not commonly used or found in modern plastics. However, it was used to enhance certain types of plastics decades ago, and it was very common during the manufacturing process for compression molding plastics from the1960s to mid 1980s.
The phenolic molding process for plastic products often contained a significant percentage of asbestos.
Workers who manufactured phenolic plastic molding compounds and who used molding compounds to manufacture products have developed mesothelioma, lung cancer and other asbestos-related diseases. Family members of exposed workers have developed asbestos-related diseases from exposure to their loved one’s contaminated clothing.
Plastic Products That Were Made With Asbestos
Compression molding processes were used to manufacture electrical, automotive and aircraft products. The products included:
- Electrical components such as circuit breakers, switchboards and electrical panels.
- Consumer goods including plastic handles, tools, cookware and appliances.
- Automobile parts including transmission parts (phenolic reactors), arc chutes, brake pads and brake linings.
- Aircraft and weapon systems such as missile casings, aircraft drop tanks and rocket nose cones.
How the Asbestos Exposure Occurred in Plastics Manufacturing
The primary source of exposure occurred when molders poured the molding compounds in the hopper connected to the molding machines. The molding compounds were typically supplied in barrels or bags, and sometimes they were transported into a plant via railcar.
The molding compounds were granular and stirred up a substantial amount of dust when poured into the hoppers. The molders and set-up personnel experienced a substantial asbestos exposure from the molding compounds poured into the hoppers as well as from handling the molds when they came out of the machines.
Once the final product was molded and had hardened, it frequently was transferred to a finishing area where excess plastic pieces, known as flash, were removed using a grinding wheel and hand grinders. The people who performed these tasks experienced high levels of asbestos exposure from grinding and sanding off the flash.
Other Workers Who Exposed to Asbestos
From the early 1960s until the mid 1980s, anyone in the plastic manufacturing supply chain who worked in the mold rooms and finishing departments, performing other tasks, experienced significant exposure as well.
This includes maintenance personnel, electricians, pipefitters and other production workers experienced daily exposures to asbestos from the molding compounds even though they did not personally use them.
Companies That Exposed Workers to Asbestos in Plastics Manufacturing
Manufacturers that made asbestos plastics include:
- Plastic Engineering Company (Plenco)
- Hooker Chemical Company
- Durez Corporation
- Union Carbide Corporation (UCC)
- Rogers Corporation
- Fiberite, Inc.
- General Electric Company
- Monsanto Chemical Corp.
Companies that used asbestos-containing molding compounds to manufacture products include:
- Cutler Hammer Inc.
- Eaton Corporation
- Plastic Moldings Corporation
- Square D. Corporation
- Chicago Molded Products Co.
- Diemolding Corp.
- Modern Plastics
- Dickten Masch Plastics
What to do if You Were Exposed to Asbestos in Plastics
If you or a loved one worked at any of these facilities or others throughout the country, and developed mesothelioma, contact the law firm of Satterley & Kelley PLLC immediately.
Our attorneys have handled cases for clients involving exposure to asbestos-containing molding compounds at many of these locations, recovering tens of millions of dollars in compensation. We understand the products at issue and the exposures. We can help you recover for your preventable injury.
Call us at 855-385-9532, locally 502-589-5600, or contact us online to arrange a free initial consultation with a Satterley & Kelley PLLC lawyer.