Armstrong Emulsions: Asbestos-Containing Pipe Insulation (1939–1957)

Product Description

Armstrong Emulsions were a line of liquid-applied insulation products manufactured by Armstrong World Industries, one of the largest building materials companies in the United States throughout the twentieth century. Produced between 1939 and 1957, these emulsions were designed primarily for use as pipe insulation in industrial settings, where they were applied as a coating or surface treatment to protect pipes from heat loss, condensation, and temperature extremes.

The emulsion format distinguished this product from rigid or pre-formed insulation materials. Rather than being cut and fitted around pipes, Armstrong Emulsions were brushed, sprayed, or troweled onto pipe surfaces in a liquid or semi-liquid state, where they would cure and harden into an insulating layer. This application method made the product particularly suitable for irregularly shaped fittings, valves, elbows, and other components that were difficult to cover with standard block or wrap insulation.

Armstrong World Industries marketed these products to industrial facilities including manufacturing plants, refineries, power-generating stations, and other operations that relied heavily on extensive piping systems for steam, hot water, and chemical transport. The product’s versatility and ease of application made it a practical choice for facilities managers and contractors working on large-scale insulation projects during the mid-twentieth century.

Asbestos Content

Armstrong Emulsions contained chrysotile asbestos as a functional ingredient in their formulated composition. Chrysotile, also known as white asbestos, is the most commercially used form of asbestos and belongs to the serpentine mineral family. Its fibrous, flexible structure made it well suited for incorporation into liquid-applied insulation systems, where it contributed to thermal resistance, fire protection, and structural reinforcement of the cured coating.

In emulsion-type products, chrysotile fibers were typically suspended within a binder matrix. When the emulsion was applied and allowed to dry, the asbestos fibers became distributed throughout the hardened insulation layer, providing both mechanical strength and insulating properties. This integration of asbestos into a liquid carrier was common among insulation manufacturers of the era, as it allowed for efficient delivery of asbestos-reinforced material to surfaces that standard pre-formed insulation could not easily reach.

The use of chrysotile in Armstrong Emulsions was consistent with widespread industry practice during the 1939–1957 production window. Regulatory frameworks restricting or requiring disclosure of asbestos content did not take meaningful effect until decades later, following the passage of the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) in 1986 and the development of OSHA asbestos exposure standards in the 1970s and 1980s. During the years Armstrong Emulsions were produced, asbestos was routinely incorporated into insulation products without disclosure to end users or the workers who handled them.

How Workers Were Exposed

Industrial workers who applied, maintained, disturbed, or worked in proximity to Armstrong Emulsions faced potential exposure to chrysotile asbestos fibers at multiple stages of the product’s lifecycle.

During Application: The process of applying liquid emulsions to pipe surfaces could generate airborne fibers when the product was agitated, poured, or brushed onto surfaces. Workers who mixed the emulsion, transferred it between containers, or applied it with brushes and spray equipment may have inhaled fibers released into the surrounding air during these tasks.

During Curing and Drying: As the applied coating dried, the surface could remain friable and susceptible to fiber release if disturbed. Workers performing nearby tasks while freshly applied coatings were curing may have been exposed to fibers dislodged by air movement or incidental contact.

During Maintenance and Repair: Once the emulsion had hardened and aged, routine industrial maintenance activities posed significant exposure risks. Workers tasked with removing old insulation coatings to access pipes for repair, or with reapplying insulation to previously treated surfaces, could generate substantial fiber release through scraping, sanding, or mechanical removal of the cured material. Aged asbestos-containing coatings tend to become increasingly friable over time, making disturbance during repair operations particularly hazardous.

Bystander Exposure: In the enclosed environments typical of industrial facilities — boiler rooms, pipe chases, mechanical spaces, and process areas — workers who were not directly handling the product may nonetheless have been exposed to asbestos fibers that had become airborne through the activities of others working in the same space.

The industrial settings where Armstrong Emulsions were used often involved multiple asbestos-containing products installed in close proximity, meaning that workers in these environments may have faced cumulative exposures from a variety of sources in addition to the emulsions themselves.

Legal Tier: Tier 2 — Litigation

Armstrong Emulsions are not currently associated with an active asbestos bankruptcy trust fund established specifically for this product line. Individuals seeking compensation for asbestos-related illness connected to exposure from these products have pursued relief through civil litigation in the tort system.

Litigation records document claims brought against Armstrong World Industries by individuals who alleged occupational exposure to asbestos-containing products manufactured by the company, including insulation emulsions used in industrial settings. Plaintiffs alleged that Armstrong World Industries knew or should have known of the hazards associated with asbestos-containing products and failed to provide adequate warnings to workers who used or were exposed to those products.

It should be noted that Armstrong World Industries did establish the Armstrong World Industries Asbestos Personal Injury Settlement Trust as part of its bankruptcy reorganization. Individuals whose claims relate to asbestos products within the scope of that trust’s established product list should consult with a qualified asbestos attorney to determine whether Armstrong Emulsions fall within that trust’s coverage parameters, as trust eligibility criteria are specific and subject to the trust’s governing distribution procedures.

Who May Have a Claim

Industrial workers who were employed in facilities where Armstrong Emulsions were applied or maintained between 1939 and 1957, and who have subsequently been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease — including mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, asbestosis, or pleural disease — may have legal options available to them. Family members of deceased workers who died from asbestos-related illness may be eligible to pursue wrongful death claims.

Recommended Steps

Individuals who believe they were exposed to Armstrong Emulsions or other asbestos-containing products should consult with an attorney experienced in asbestos litigation. Documenting employment history, work locations, and the specific products encountered on the job is an important step in evaluating potential claims. Statutes of limitations vary by state and typically begin running from the date of diagnosis or discovery of illness, making timely consultation with legal counsel essential.