Asbestos Cement Pipe - Johns-Manville (J-M)

J-M Manufacturing Company, Inc. (“JMM”) was formed in December, 1982 during the bankruptcy and dissolution of Johns-Manville Corporation. In January 1983, JMM and a related corporation, J-M A/C Pipe Company (“JMAC”), purchased the domestic pipe-producing plants and assets of the Johns-Manville Sales Corporation (including the plants in Stockton, California and Denison, Texas) during the Johns-Manville bankruptcy proceedings. 

After the acquisition of these assets, JMM facilitated the purchase of raw asbestos pursuant to an Operations Management Agreement with JMAC for use by JMAC in the manufacture of asbestos-cement pipe between 1983-1988. JMM sold asbestos-cement pipe manufactured by JMAC between 1983-1988. These pipes were made of a mixture of cement and asbestos fibers, which are highly resistant to heat, corrosion and fire, and used in gas lines, drainage systems, and water systems. JMAC ceased production of asbestos-cement pipe in Stockton, California in 1987 and in Denison, Texas in 1988.

According to deposition testimony of Jim Reichert, Manager of Services for JMM, the asbestos-cement pipe manufactured at the Stockton plant between 1983-1987 contained the name J-M A/C Pipe Company, Transite, which was stenciled on the pipe during manufacture.

The cutting, beveling and handling of JMM / JMAC asbestos-cement Transite pipe caused the release, discharge and emission of unsafe levels of respirable asbestos fiber and dust from the product into the breathing zone of the worker, contaminating the work place air with hazardous levels of asbestos.  Inhalation or ingestion of airborne fibers can cause asbestos-related diseases, including mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis.

If you or someone you know has been exposed to asbestos as a result of handling or being involved with Asbestos Cement Pipe, and if you think such exposure may have caused you or your loved one to become ill with mesothelioma or any other form of asbestos related disease, please contact the lawyers at Clapper, Patti Schweizer & Mason for more information.