Cabot Corporation, headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, was a specialty chemicals manufacturer producing carbon black, metal oxides, and specialty chemical products for industrial applications — including specialty compounds and sealant products used in high-temperature industrial and naval maintenance applications. Certain Cabot product lines manufactured for high-temperature sealing and coating applications used asbestos fiber as a component in product formulations rated for the elevated temperatures of industrial and naval steam system service.

Asbestos in Cabot Specialty Products

Cabot’s specialty product lines for high-temperature applications used asbestos:

  • High-temperature sealant compounds — Cabot specialty sealant and compound products formulated for steam system sealing applications in the WWII and Cold War era used asbestos fiber as a binder and heat-resistant filler component. Navy engineering ratings applying Cabot sealant compounds to steam system flanges and fittings worked with asbestos-containing compound materials during steam plant maintenance and repair
  • Insulating cement products — Cabot insulating cement products used as finishing coats over pipe insulation and for patching damaged asbestos pipe covering sections used asbestos fiber as the primary structural component. The application and sanding of Cabot insulating cement to achieve a smooth outer surface on repaired pipe insulation generated asbestos fiber during the finishing operations
  • Asbestos-containing coatings — specialty coating products manufactured by Cabot for high-temperature applications in industrial and marine environments used asbestos in the coating formulation for heat resistance and durability

Shore Facility and Shipyard Applications

Cabot specialty products appeared in Navy shore facility and shipyard maintenance:

  • Shipyard pipe insulation finishing — the insulation finishing operations at Navy shipyards during ship construction and overhaul used asbestos-containing insulating cement products from multiple manufacturers including Cabot for finishing asbestos pipe covering sections
  • Shore facility boiler plant maintenance — the maintenance of steam boiler plants at naval stations and air stations used specialty sealant and compound products from multiple manufacturers in boiler maintenance and steam system repair

VA Claims for Veterans Exposed to Cabot Corporation Products

VA evaluates asbestos-related disability claims on a case-by-case basis. Veterans generally need evidence of in-service asbestos exposure, a current asbestos-related diagnosis, and a medical link between them. Engineering ratings and maintenance workers who applied asbestos-containing sealants and insulating cements in Navy applications and have since been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, or asbestos-related lung cancer may qualify for VA disability benefits.