W.R. Grace & Co. began acquiring chemical companies in the 20th century that went on to produce and distribute a number of toxic asbestos-containing products, including Zonolite, an insulation widely used across the country. WR Grace was involved in many insulation, fireproofing and heat-resistance construction materials, the majority of which contained toxic asbestos. Zonolite, Monokote and Perltex were some of the more popular—and decidedly dangerous—asbestos products.
After the 1980s, a number of lawsuits were filed against the company related to employee asbestos exposure. After almost 130,000 claims were filed by 2001, WR Grace sought bankruptcy protection. WR Grace Asbestos products included:
- Attic insulation
- Spray-on insulation
- Spray-on fireproofing
- Insulating cement
- Textured spray paint
- Acoustical plaster
Joe Lyon is an experienced Ohio Toxic Tort Attorney reviewing mesothelioma injury cases and toxic exposure related to WR Grace asbestos products produced in Owensboro or Wilder, KY plants.
Asbestos Products & Workplace Exposure
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was used so widely in certain consumer, commercial and residential products because it is resistant to heat and flame. It is also easily mixed with other materials to increase durability.
But when asbestos dust is inhaled or ingested, the toxic fibers can remain lodged in the lining of the lungs or abdomen permanently, causing serious illness. Asbestos fibers can accumulate and cause scarring and inflammation in the human body.
Asbestos is a known human carcinogen, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Workplace exposure increases the risk of mesothelioma, adenocarcinoma, lung cancer and asbestosis, an inflammatory condition affecting the lungs that can cause permanent lung damage.
W.R. Grace & Co. purchased vermiculite mines and a processing mill, producing up to 200,000 tons of vermiculite per year to be used in Zonolite attic insulation and other toxic construction materials. The mines themselves contained asbestos, which contaminated worksites, processing plants and warehouses all around the U.S.
WR Grace asbestos workers have the highest risk of developing asbestos-related diseases, followed by construction workers and insulators. Kentucky WR Grace workers in the Owensboro or Wilder plants should contact and attorney.
WR Grace Asbestos Exposure
Former employees of W.R. Grace or another company who handled W.R. Grace asbestos products like Zonolite, and risked toxic exposure, may have a claim against a negligent employer. Ohio asbestos attorneys have filed numerous asbestos lawsuits on behalf of mesothelioma victims, claiming employers have been negligent for the following:
- Failure to warn employees of presence of asbestos products on their premises
- Failure to follow state and federal workplace safety regulations
- Failure to measure airborne asbestos fibers in work areas
- Failure to protect employees from asbestos exposure
- Failure to provide necessary safety equipment
- Failure to guard against dangers and creating a high risk of illness to workers
The WR Grace Asbestos Personal Injury Trust handles injury claims filed by former workers diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related illnesses. In 2015, the trust paid more than 50,000 claims for a total of around $353 million.
The WR Grace Asbestos Property Damage Trust is designed to mitigate the cost of cleaning up asbestos contamination caused by Zonolite attic insulation.
