HiTemp Pipe Covering

The Philip Carey Manufacturing Corporation of Ohio was one of the busiest U.S. manufacturers of asbestos products throughout most of the twentieth century. This company and others like it made their money touting durable asbestos insulation that could resist fire and high temperatures. The most popular form of asbestos insulation that Carey sold was products marketed under the HiTemp name, including HiTemp pipe covering. This pipe covering was used for a number of applications and wrapped pipe that carried everything from hot air to highly flammable chemicals. It could be found in homes, schools, offices, factories, factories and other places were high temperature protection was needed.

When Carey Manufacturing first began to produce HiTemp pipe covering and other asbestos insulation products around the turn of the twentieth century, asbestos was considered a miracle mineral with amazing heat- and fire-resistant properties. Those who manufactured asbestos insulation in the early 1900s were most likely unaware that asbestos was a dangerous mineral. However, by the middle of the century, many individuals knew it was toxic.

Documentation shows that a medical doctor who served as a consultant to Philip Carey Manufacturing tried to tell the company’s owner that asbestos was causing an unusually high rate of cancer among Carey employees as well as their families. This doctor, Thomas Mancuso, wrote numerous letters to Philip Carey requesting that the use of asbestos be halted, but no one heeded his warnings.

“Evidence has been established for cancer developing among members of the household. Mesotheliomas have developed among wives, laundering the work clothes of asbestos workers. Substantial evidence has been presented that slight and intermittent exposures may be sufficient to produce lung cancer and mesothelioma. There should be no delusion that the problem will disappear or that the consumer or working population will not become aware of the problem and the compensation and legal liability involved," the doctor wrote to a letter to Philip Carey’s actuary in 1964. Soon after that, the company terminated their relationship with Dr. Mancuso, wishing to hear no more about the hazards of toxic asbestos.

In fact, the general public wasn’t warned about asbestos’ toxic properties until the late 1970s, when the Consumer Product Safety Commission finally outlawed the use of most kinds of asbestos. Manufacturing of the Carey HiTemp pipe covering and other insulation products was halted by about 1980. Unfortunately, that was too late for the dozens upon dozens of individuals who had already developed asbestos cancer due to exposure to Carey products and those of other asbestos manufacturers. Many Carey Manufacturing employees died because they inhaled toxic asbestos. Others who were exposed to the HiTemp products, including pipe fitters, plumbers, boiler makers, and others, also suffered the affects of inhaling toxic dust.

If the executives of Carey Manufacturing Corporation had heeded the warnings of Dr. Mancuso, a lot more lives would have been spared. Were you a victim of the cover-up executed by the owners of Carey Manufacturing and other similar companies? If so, you may have already developed mesothelioma and you may have a right to compensation for your suffering. It’s a wise idea to consult an experienced asbestos attorney for more information. For details, order our free mesothelioma information packet.

Last modified: December 09 2009.