Colton Gun Plastic Cement - California Portland Cement Company

California Portland Cement Company (“California Portland Cement”) was incorporated in 1891.  The company’s principal place of business is located in Glendora, California.  California Portland Cement is engaged in the business of manufacturing, supplying and distributing cement products.

California Portland Cement manufactured, marketed, sold, supplied and distributed one asbestos containing product, known as Colton Gun Plastic Cement.  This product was manufactured by California Portland Cement between May 1959 and July 1973.  It was used for exterior plaster.

The product was a dry powder, packaged in 94 and 96 pound paper bags.  It contained chrysotile asbestos fiber (2% by weight).   Chrysotile is the main type of serpentine asbestos, accounting for nearly 90% worldwide.  This type of asbestos is still being mined, manufactured and used in other countries, with much controversy since the dangers of exposure to all and any types of asbestos has been clearly established.  It is believed that amphibole varieties of asbestos are more carcinogenic, however medical and scientific research clearly links mesothelioma and other illnesses to exposure to chrysotile as well.

The chrysotile asbestos fiber for Colton Gun Plastic Cement was supplied by Carey-Canada and Johns-Manville.   During mixing and application, the dry powder was poured from the bags into a hopper, and then mixed with sand and water.  The wet mixture was then spray-applied using a gun.

The pouring of the dry powder from the bags into the hopper generated large amounts of breathable asbestos fiber and dust from the product into the workplace air, exposing workers to unsafe levels of asbestos.  Workers were also exposed to unsafe levels of asbestos from the product during the disposal of the used bags of the product (which typically contained a small amount of the product).   Exposure to asbestos 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 Colton Gun Plastic Cement, 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.