Even today, asbestos is not banned and is still used widely for certain applications. The 2001 Mineral Commodity Summary for Asbestos from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reported that 61% of the asbestos used in the United States in 2000 was in roofing products, 19% in friction products, 13% in gaskets, and 7% was classified as “other."
The Environmental Working Group points out that the most notorious asbestos building product is vermiculite attic insulation from the vermiculite mine in Libby, Montana. The mine’s asbestos contaminated vermiculite was shipped around the country and processed into attic insulation and other products through 1992. The EPA estimates that 30 million homes and buildings have asbestos (vermiculite) attic insulation. When this insulation is disturbed during building repair, remodeling, renovation, or damage, it can produce significant asbestos exposure.
Acoustical plaster, used to absorb sounds and create textured walls and ceilings, often contained asbestos fibers.
Asbestos was commonly used on weatherproof jackets as its ability to withstand hot and cold temperatures was perfect for extreme conditions.
J-M Manufacturing Company, Inc. (JMM) and JMAC, purchased plants and assets from Johns-Mansville and manufactured and sold asbestos cement pipe from 1983 - 1988.
Many cooling systems include components, such as eliminators, fill, and cement board that contain asbestos. Marley Cooling Technologies is one example of a manufacture of cooling towers that consisted of asbestos containing materials.
John K. Bice ("BICE") was a California based business that supplied asbestos fibers to several companies who then incorporated the toxic mineral into their construction materials.
Ameron's asbestos containing products included pipes, pipe fittings, pipe coatings, adhesives and mastic. Click title to read more.
Because of its heat resistant qualities, asbestos was often used in cement mixtures.
RFPC purchased asbestos containing friction brake shoes from Johns-Manville, which were then sold under the brand name Cobra.
Colton Gun Plastic Cement, a product made with chrysotile asbestos and used for exterior plaster, was manufactured by California Portland Cement Company.
Corrugated sheets are used to fit around boilers, furnaces, and other industrial equipment. They were often made with asbestos because of its ability to withstand high temperatures.
Rich-Tex, located in Richmond, California, manufactured and sold drywall products including joint compounds and texturing products that contained asbestos until 1977. Click on title to read more.
Hamilton Materials, a California based corporation, sold asbestos containing drywall, wall texture, and ceiling texture products until 1977. Click on title to read more.
Durametallic Corporation, based in Michigan but operating business from many states including California, manufactured, sold, supplied and distributed asbestos containing packing and sealing products from the early 1900's until the mid 1980's. Many products were used by railroad and industrial workers, who now carry a higher risk of mesothelioma, asbestosis and cancer.
Many electrical components, including phenolic resin, manufactured before 1980 contained asbestos. Click on the title to read more.
Asbestos was often used in the making of fire blankets because of its fire resistant properties.
Before the 1970's and federal regulations were established around the use of asbestos, fireproofing insulation often contained the toxic yet highly heat and fire resistant mineral.
Asbestos was often used in joint compound because of its heat and water resistant properties.
Joint Compound
Georgia-Pacific, Kaiser Gypsum, Dowman, Hamilton, Reardon, Bondex, RPM, Kelly-Moore, Paco
Until the use of asbestos became regulated, many joint compounds contained the carcinogenic mineral, causing risk of exposure and later development of mesothelioma and other asbestos related cancers.
Hopeman Brothers, Inc was a marine carpentry contractor who installed and removed asbestos containing materials aboard many ships, putting many Navy men and ship yard workers are risk of exposure and later development of mesothelioma and other asbestos cancers. Click the title to read more.
Prior to the banning of asbestos in the 1970s, asbestos was used in various construction products, including masonry fill, because of its insulating properties.
Asbestos millboard was typically used on the construction of walls and ceilings around furnaces and wood-burning stoves where the fire resistant qualities of asbestos were needed.
Asbestos was frequently used as insulation in pipes that were part of heating and cooling systems.
Radios
Bendix, General Electric (GE), Magnavox, Philco, Philco-Ford, RCA, Sylvania, Zenith
Tube radios manufactured before 1960 were often made with asbestos containing materials. Click on the title to read more.
Roofing felt is a material used on roofs to provide protection from atmospheric conditions and is sometimes made with asbestos.
Talc
Pfizer California Talc, Desert Talc DT51, R.T. Vanderbilt Company Nytal 100
Talc used in clay for pottery often contained asbestos, a mineral known to cause mesothelioma and other cancers.
Televisions
General Electric (GE), Magnavox, Philco, Philco-Ford, Raytheon, RCA, Sylvania, Zenith
Televisions from the 1930s to 1960s were made with cloth, matting, and cable dressing that often contained asbestos. Click on the title to read more.
For decades, vermiculite mined from an asbestos tainted area was used in homes all over the country.
Asbestos was commonly used in vinyl floor tiles because of its insulation properties.
To make vinyl wallpaper more durable, asbestos minerals were added during manufacturing.
Asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral, was added to wallboard in high concentrations (some wallboard was up to 50% asbestos) because it added structural integrity and heat resistance to the finished product.
Wood fiber plaster is used for wall and ceiling assemblies that need a product with fire-resistant and soundproof qualities and was once made with asbestos.
WM Powell Company (WPC) manufactured and distributed asbestos containing valves, gaskets and packing materials to many industries and shipyards, creating a risk for workers and veterans to be exposed to the carcinogenic fiber and later developing asbestos related diseases.
Made by the W.R. Grace Company, Zonolite is an asbestos-containing insulation.