Rochester New York Mesothelioma Attorneys > Job Sites > Buffalo, New York > Carborundum > Asbestos and Carborundum

Asbestos and Carborundum

Those who were employed at both the Buffalo Avenue and Walmore Road Carborundum plants were at high risk for asbestos exposure. Carborundum produced over 60,000 different product lines, including 45 grinding wheel product lines with hundreds of variations. Carborundum’s diamond wheel products were so popular that they had their own division called the Super Abrasives Division. The diamond wheels were used for industrial applications, such as in machine shops and tool and die shops. Bakelite, an asbestos filled molding compound or resin, was used in the center of the diamond grinding wheels for phenolic support . Phenolic resin is a good binder, but fillers must be added to provide the proper density and strength. Raw asbestos was the filler used by Carborundum and sold by various vendors. During the mixing process, workers indicate that the buildings where this molding was produced would become filled with airborne dust from morning to night.

Asbestos containing materials could also be found in the other equipment at both the Buffalo Avenue and Walmore Road plants. Building 89, at the Buffalo Avenue plant, contained machinery needed for production of grinding wheels. Repairs on machinery were made on a daily basis, and from 1900 to the late 1970’s asbestos containing materials were utilized in the machinery. Millwrights and individuals who worked on or in the vicinity where machinery was being repaired or maintained are also at risk for developing asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma. Asbestos containing gaskets, valves, packing, flanges, pumps, and machine brakes were utilized this equipment.

During the removal and application processes of asbestos-containing materials, large amounts of dust and fibers were emitted into the air of the buildings where repair work was conducted. Workers describe the conditions in these buildings as being similar to a “London Fog” or snowstorm. Inhaling dust and particles from the application and maintenance of asbestos containing materials placed employees at risk of developing serious health problems. Even those not who were not in direct contact with asbestos materials remain at risk for the development of asbestos-related diseases, such as mesothelioma or lung cancer.