Air Cell Pipe Covering

Asbestos has always been one of the best insulation materials available. Its heat and fire resistant properties were once highly valued and the mineral was used in myriad building products as well as a variety of household products. The addition of asbestos to these products also meant that the products lasted longer as asbestos is a durable and strong mineral. Manufacturers of asbestos products and those who made use of these products lauded them for their long life and affordability, thanks to the fact that asbestos was inexpensive and readily available.

It’s difficult to name all the insulation products that contained asbestos but it is clear that these products were used for a number of different applications. Air cell pipe covering, for example, may have been used for cold or hot water piping systems or for any number of other insulation needs. This pipe covering could be found both in residences or commercial buildings.

Air cell pipe covering and other insulating materials that contained asbestos were safe as long as they were in good condition and were not cut or sawed. However, when contractors cut this pipe covering so that it would fit a particular application, they released tiny asbestos fibers into the air which, in turn, they may have inhaled. In addition, co-workers toiling around them may have also been susceptible to asbestos exposure from air cell pipe covering.

Another risk is to those who encounter the pipe covering years or even decades after it is installed. When the asbestos-containing insulation becomes old and begins to get brittle, it can easily flake off and release fibers into the air. Contractors, insulators, plumbers, pipefitters, remodelers, and even homeowners working near the old air cell pipe covering may, at that point, be subject to asbestos inhalation as well.

Anytime one works with any sort of asbestos-containing material, it is necessary to arm oneself with protective gear, including face masks or respirators, so as not to breathe in any pieces of the hazardous mineral. However, tradesmen of old did not wear masks as they were unaware of the hazards of the toxic mineral. Even though some company executives knew that asbestos was dangerous, in the interest of profits they refused to pass that information on to those who worked with asbestos every day. Instead, they allowed these people to become sick and eventually die of some sort of asbestos-related disease, including asbestosis or mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma is no laughing matter. This aggressive form of cancer is nothing short of deadly and generally kills within a year of diagnosis. It’s only known cause is exposure to asbestos. The disease develops when a person inhales sharp fibers of the mineral, which then become lodged in the chest area. The lining of the lungs eventually becomes inflamed and the inflammation can become a cancerous tumor. Mesothelioma is difficult to treat and conventional therapies do little except perhaps ease some of the symptoms of the disease.

If you have developed mesothelioma due to exposure to air cell pipe covering, you may be eligible for monetary compensation for your suffering. An experienced asbestos lawyer can help make that determination. For more information, order our free mesothelioma information kit.

Last modified: December 09 2009.