Agricultural Filler
Asbestos has historically been used in literally hundreds of consumer and industrial products, largely due to its strength and its heat- and fire-resistant properties. Many of those products could – at one time – be found in the home. Others enjoyed widespread use in the construction and other industries.
One such product is agricultural filler. This filler, which could be added to polymeric compounds to change their chemical properties, was usually made from byproducts one might find in an agricultural setting – i.e. a farm – and included such things as shell husks, grain, berries, corn, and nuts. Often, manufacturers of agricultural filler added asbestos materials to the product in order to strengthen it. For quite a number of years, this asbestos-containing filler was used regularly in the construction industry.
When asbestos warnings were issued in the mid 1970s, companies that manufactured agricultural fillers halted the use of asbestos in their products and began using other ingredients to strengthen the mixture.
While agricultural fillers are now considered safe, those who encountered the fillers in their line of work prior to the issuance of the asbestos warnings and guidelines may have been exposed to the dangerous mineral. Though the fillers did not contain large amounts of asbestos, any amount of exposure can be dangerous and may result in the development of asbestos-related diseases decades later.
In addition, if you work or live in a structure where agricultural filler was used as insulation in construction, you may be exposed to asbestos if the filler is damaged in any way and, in turn, produces airborne asbestos fibers, which can easily be inhaled. (Remember, however, if the filler has not been damaged, it does not present a hazard and should not be disturbed.)
Individuals exposed to asbestos-containing agricultural filler have, on occasion, been diagnosed with asbestos diseases such as asbestosis, pleural plaques, or even mesothelioma. If you worked with agricultural filler and believe you have developed an asbestos-related illness due to the nature of your work, you should seek legal counsel to learn if you are eligible for compensation for your medical expenses, income loss, or pain and suffering. Take a moment to fill out our request for information form and you’ll receive our comprehensive information packet which contains more information about your disease and your legal rights as an asbestos disease sufferer.
