Asbestos Canvas
During its heyday, one of the primary uses of asbestos was as an insulation material, primarily because of its unique fire-resistant properties. As a matter of fact, the amazing fire- and heat-resistant properties of the mineral were actually recognized centuries ago. It is said that the ancient Romans were so enamored with the material and its durability that they used it to make tablecloths and napkins. To clean them, they simply threw them into the fire and the table linens emerged unscathed!
During the 20th century, however, asbestos was no longer used for this purpose. Instead, it was widely used in the construction industry as insulation and took on several different forms. One such insulation product, asbestos canvas, was used extensively as insulation for commercial boilers. It was also used for wrapping fiberglass insulation, and in some instances, asbestos canvas was employed as a wrapping for asbestos-containing pipes.
Asbestos canvas was one of numerous asbestos-containing insulation products that were on the market in the mid 1970s when the U.S. government issued warnings as to the dangers of working with and inhaling asbestos and its small, sharp fibers. Though the manufacture of these products ceased within a designated amount of time once the government warnings were issued, old homes and commercial buildings that were built prior to 1980 may still contain asbestos canvas and other similar products.
Unfortunately, records show that the management of the companies who manufactured asbestos canvas and other insulation products often knew about the dangers of the toxic mineral but failed to warn employees that breathing in asbestos fibers might cause them to eventually develop respiratory and pulmonary ailments. Because asbestos-related diseases take so long to appear, many individuals continued working with asbestos for years, totally unaware that perhaps in three or four decades they may be battling such grave diseases as asbestosis, pleural plaques, and even mesothelioma, a serious form of cancer that – at this time – is always fatal.
If you worked with asbestos canvas either in an asbestos products manufacturing plant or in the construction industry – perhaps as a pipefitter, steamfitter, plumber, or boilermaker – you may be at risk for developing an asbestos-related disease. If you’ve already been diagnosed with such a disease and you’ve worked with asbestos canvas or similar products in the past, you may have a right to compensation from those who caused you to be exposed to asbestos. Take a moment to fill out our information request form to learn more about asbestos-related diseases and your legal rights.
Last modified: December 28, 2010.
