Asbestos Cement | Cement Products, Uses & Health Risks

Was Asbestos in Cement?

Yes. Asbestos cement was commonly used in the 20th century to help keep pipes and other construction materials durable. However, asbestos exposure is now known to cause mesothelioma and other cancers.

Those at the greatest risk of mesothelioma worked with asbestos cement products every day. Many others were at risk from asbestos concrete materials used in homes and water system pipes.

Key Facts on Asbestos in Cement Products

Asbestos cement was used in the U.S. as recently as the 2010s since there’s no full ban on the substance.
Homes, offices, and other structures built before the 1980s may still contain asbestos cement.
Cement materials can wear down over time, releasing asbestos fibers into the air.

Fighting mesothelioma can bring a lot of stress to you and your family, but we’re here to support you during this time.

Get our Free Mesothelioma Guide for help securing treatments and compensation if you developed this cancer from working with asbestos cement materials.

Why Was Asbestos Used in Cement?

Workers believed asbestos in concrete and cement was very beneficial.

Asbestos was used in cement because it:

Cost less than the alternatives
Helped improve durability
Mixed well with other ingredients
Protected against corrosion
Was a proven insulator and fire retardant

However, cement manufacturers hid the fact that asbestos exposure can lead to life-threatening health problems like mesothelioma.

By the time the health risks of asbestos-containing materials like cement were discovered by the public, millions of people had already been exposed.

Types of Asbestos Cement Products

Before the risks of asbestos use were fully understood, dozens of cement products relied on the substance. Learn about the most notable products below.

Asbestos Cement Board

Asbestos cement boards were pressed into flat sheets to help reinforce tiling. It also served as an alternative to asbestos drywall or Sheetrock®.

Asbestos Cement Pipe

Asbestos cement pipes were used globally for over 50 years, as noted in an article in ScienceDirect. In the U.S. and Canada, it’s believed that more than 600,000 miles of asbestos cement pipe were used in underground water systems.

Those who worked with this piping risked asbestos exposure as dust could be released into the air during manufacturing or installation.

Many older asbestos pipes are still in place today, and as they break down, they could pollute water supplies.

Asbestos Cement Siding and Shingles

Asbestos cement roofing shingles and siding were used instead of wood to help reduce the risk of fires. If they were damaged or degraded, asbestos fibers could be released.

Several older homes built before the 1970s may still have asbestos cement shingles and siding in place. An abatement professional can determine if these materials pose a threat. Your health isn’t at risk if the siding or roofing shingles are in good condition.

Asbestos in Concrete

Adding asbestos to concrete mixtures helped improve durability. However, anyone working with or around this concrete could be at risk of mesothelioma later in life.

Concrete Decor notes that asbestos fibers were sealed away as concrete hardened, but could have been released if the materials were broken down, chipped away, or removed.

Call (866) 608-8933 now if you have mesothelioma and worked with or around asbestos cement materials. We can help you pursue treatments and compensation.

Other Asbestos Cement Products

Many other materials containing asbestos cement could have put workers at risk of exposure.

Additional asbestos cement products include:

Bonding cement: A base coating that is used on concrete and masonry walls
Joint cement: Applied to drywall to finish walls and ceilings
Plastic cement: Used for binding and sealing surfaces
Refractory cement: Used in and around hot surfaces, such as ovens or kilns
Wall cladding: Used on exterior surfaces to protect from weathering

As workers handled, installed, and repaired these materials, they may have released asbestos fibers into the air, which increased the risk of developing mesothelioma.

Is Asbestos Still Found in Cement Products?

Yes, asbestos is still found in cement products across the country.

Did You Know?

Asbestos is no longer used to make new cement materials. However, there are thousands of older pipes and structures made of asbestos cement in place today.

Those exposed to asbestos cement products decades ago could now develop mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis, as these diseases take 10-50 years to form.

Worried about mesothelioma? Get our Free Mesothelioma Guide shipped overnight for essential information on symptoms, treatment, and financial compensation.

Who Was At Risk of Exposure to Asbestos in Cement?

Many workers were required to handle, install, repair, or replace asbestos-based cement materials every day.

Just a few of these workers included:

There is no safe level of asbestos exposure, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). That said, the risk of mesothelioma increases for those who are exposed on a regular or everyday basis.

Even today, construction workers, repairmen, and demolition teams could be in danger when working with or around older cement materials. If cement products are not tested beforehand, workers could unknowingly be exposed.

Asbestos Cement Pipes and Drinking Water Contamination

Hundreds of thousands of miles of asbestos cement piping remain in place in the U.S. and Canada today. These pipes were installed decades ago, and if they break down, they could release asbestos fibers into the water supply.

“We know that the consumption of asbestos, such as drinking asbestos fibers that have come through asbestos pipes, increases one’s risk for developing certain kinds of cancers.”
– Dr. Arthur L. Frank, Drexel University environmental and occupational health professor

Cities and governments must take proactive measures to keep asbestos cement pipes in good shape and replace them if they are friable (crumbling and at risk of releasing fibers).

Older Homes and Asbestos Cement Risks

Several homes built before the 1970s may contain asbestos cement sheets, pipes, shingles, roofing, and other materials even today.

If you believe your home contains asbestos cement, do not try to handle or remove it yourself. An asbestos abatement professional can safely assess the products and recommend next steps, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Companies That Made Asbestos Cement

Numerous companies in the 20th century produced and used asbestos cement. These companies knew that asbestos could lead to severe health problems like mesothelioma but hid the truth for decades to continue making money.

Some companies that made asbestos cement include:

AC&S
A.P. Green Industries
Armstrong World Industries
ASARCO, LLC
Blodgett Corporation
Fisher Scientific
Owens-Corning Fiberglass
U.S. Gypsum Company
W.R. Grace

Because these companies and many others were negligent, thousands of people are now at risk of mesothelioma today.

Financial Compensation for Exposure to Asbestos Cement

You or a mesothelioma patient you love may qualify for financial compensation if you developed this cancer from exposure to asbestos cement or other products.

These compensation options include:

Mesothelioma lawsuits: You may qualify to file a lawsuit against the companies that made and sold the asbestos cement products you were exposed to. The average mesothelioma lawsuit awards $1 million or more.
Asbestos trust fund claims: Many manufacturers of asbestos-containing products set up asbestos bankruptcy trust funds to avoid lawsuits. There is over $30 billion spread across dozens of trusts, and you can file claims to access some of this money.
VA benefits: If you served your country, you may qualify for mesothelioma benefits through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Key benefits for veterans with mesothelioma include monthly disability payouts worth almost $4,000 a month and free or low-cost medical treatment through the VA health care system.

Our legal partners can handle all the work related to filing lawsuits and asbestos trust fund claims, making the process stress-free for you and your family. We can also help in the VA benefits process.

Get a Free Case Review to explore all the ways we can assist you in your family.

Get Help for Asbestos Cement Exposure

Every year, hard-working Americans develop mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases after working with cement products.

At Mesothelioma Hope, we’re committed to helping patients and their loved ones in any way possible.

Our team can help you:

Determine when, where, and how your asbestos exposure occurred
Find top doctors and explore treatment options
Get the support you and your family need to fight this cancer
Pursue financial compensation to cover expenses

Call (866) 608-8933 now or get our Free Mesothelioma Guide for personalized support after a diagnosis.

Asbestos in Concrete FAQs

What is asbestos cement?

Asbestos cement is a building material that consists of cement and asbestos fibers.

Prior to the 1980s, it was believed that asbestos safely helped strengthen cement because manufacturers hid the risks. Today, asbestos is no longer used in cement and many other products as it can cause mesothelioma and other cancers.

What are the dangers of asbestos cement?

Exposure to asbestos cement can put you or your loved ones in danger of cancers like mesothelioma.

It takes 10 to 50 years for mesothelioma and other health dangers to develop after asbestos exposure. As a result, many people are diagnosed with mesothelioma after working with or around cement materials made with asbestos decades ago.

Contact us now if you developed mesothelioma from working with or around asbestos cement products. We can help you pursue compensation and find treatments.

What is asbestos cement used for?

Starting in the early 1900s, asbestos cement was used by the construction industry in shingles, siding, roof sheeting, pipes, and many other materials.

Cement products were commonly used in buildings to help keep them sturdy, and several towns and cities relied on asbestos-containing pipes for their water systems.

Do they still use asbestos in concrete?

Asbestos is no longer used in new concrete. However, many older concrete structures made with asbestos are still being used. As these concrete products wear down, they can put people at risk of asbestos exposure.

In addition, those exposed to asbestos in concrete decades ago could be just getting sick now since mesothelioma takes 10 to 50 years to form.

How do you know if concrete has asbestos?

You will not be able to tell if asbestos is in concrete just by looking at it, according to Concrete Decor. The asbestos fibers will be trapped inside the cement but could be released if chipped away.

Always ensure that concrete or other building materials that may contain asbestos are properly tested by a professional before working on them.