Asbestos in Dry-Set Mortars
What is Dry-Set mortar?
Dry-Set, or Thin-Set mortar is a cement-like product used to bond tiles, including ceramic, stone and porcelain tiles to a floor or wall. Dry-Set mortars contained asbestos from the late 1950s to the late 1970s. Dry-Set came as a dry powder that was mixed with water to create a strong adhesive. Dry-Set mortars were invented as an alternative to the old “mud” method of adhering tiles. Prior to the development of Dry-set, installing tiles with “mud” was a long, laborious, and expensive process. Dry-set made the entire tile installation process far more efficient, effectively quadrupling the speed of installation.
The Tile Council of America (TCA) licensed Dry-Set products, meaning all its licensees used the same asbestos containing product from the 1950s to the late 1970s, when the use of asbestos in construction products was outlawed.
Asbestos exposure from Dry-Set could happen in three ways:
1.) During the mixing phase, when water was added to the dry mixture
2.) When general spillage and clean up of dried mortar occurred
3.) From general bystander exposure
Despite vigorous opposition from The Tile Council of America, tile mortars containing asbestos were discontinued in 1977 when the Consumer Product Safety Commission made it illegal for construction companies to use any products containing asbestos.
Tile Council of America Dry-Set Mortar Licensees included:
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- Australian Master Builders
- W.R. Bonsal Company
- Cambridge Tile Manufacturing Company
- Hallmark Chemical and Manufacturing Corporation
- C.E. Kaiser Co. Inc.
- Pearsall Polymer Company
- L&M Surco Manufacturing Company
- L&M Products Ltd
- Lyons Manufacturing, Inc.
- Paraisten Kalkki Oy
- Permalastic Products
- Sel & Produits Chimiques
- Syracuse Adhesives Co.
- Technical Adhesives
- The Upco Company
- Cermanica Carabobo C.A.
- Jamo Inc.
- Texas Cement Products, Inc.
- Bil-Dry, Grip-On
- Chicago Mastic Company
As with all construction or home remodeling projects, if you suspect that a material is made from asbestos, have it tested professionally prior to any demolition. Although tile adhesives containing asbestos are generally not hazardous if they remain intact, the material can be dangerous if it is damaged or disturbed in a way that releases the asbestos fibers into the air. Airborne asbestos fibers that reach a person’s lungs can cause serious health problems or even death in some cases.
Long term asbestos exposure to any form of asbestos can increase the risk of lung cancer, asbestosis, pleural plaques, as well as mesothelioma, a rare but deadly form of cancer caused by asbestos exposure.
Exposed to asbestos? Contact a mesothelioma lawyer today
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related disease from workplace or home exposure to asbestos, contact an experienced mesothelioma lawyer immediately. Mesothelioma lawyers have helped generations of mesothelioma patients seek justice and win compensation for lost wages and medical costs. Asbestos law is there to help you, too.