“115” and “214” Cements by G-I Holdings

Product Description

G-I Holdings, Inc. manufactured a range of industrial construction and insulation materials under its corporate umbrella, including two cement products identified in litigation records as the “115” Cement and “214” Cement. These products were formulated for use across a broad spectrum of industrial and commercial applications, including boiler systems, cement pipe construction, floor tile installation, pipe insulation assemblies, and roofing products.

Industrial cements of this type served as binding, sealing, and insulating compounds applied at joints, seams, and surfaces throughout heavy construction and manufacturing environments. The “115” and “214” designations likely referenced internal product line identifiers distinguishing the formulations by application type or performance specification — a common practice among industrial materials manufacturers during the mid-to-late twentieth century. These cements would have been applied at construction sites, industrial plants, refineries, shipyards, and commercial buildings wherever durable adhesion, thermal resistance, or moisture sealing was required across the product categories they served.

G-I Holdings, Inc. was a holding company with significant ties to the building products industry, most notably through its connection to GAF Corporation, a major manufacturer of roofing, flooring, and insulation products. The corporate history of G-I Holdings is closely intertwined with asbestos litigation that emerged from products manufactured and distributed throughout the construction trades.

Asbestos Content

Litigation records document that the “115” and “214” Cements manufactured under the G-I Holdings corporate structure were alleged to have contained asbestos as a component material. Plaintiffs alleged that asbestos was incorporated into industrial cement products of this era as a functional additive, providing heat resistance, tensile reinforcement, and improved durability under demanding thermal and mechanical conditions.

Asbestos was a preferred additive in industrial cements throughout much of the twentieth century precisely because its physical properties — resistance to high temperatures, chemical stability, and fibrous structure — enhanced the performance of cement compounds used in demanding environments such as boiler rooms, pipe chases, and roofing assemblies. Chrysotile (white asbestos) and, in some formulations, amphibole varieties such as amosite (brown asbestos) were commonly incorporated into products of this category during the periods when these cements were produced and distributed.

The specific asbestos content by percentage for the “115” and “214” Cements has not been independently verified in publicly available regulatory filings for this article. However, litigation records document that plaintiffs identified these products as sources of asbestos exposure in legal proceedings against G-I Holdings.

How Workers Were Exposed

Industrial workers across multiple trades encountered the “115” and “214” Cements in the course of their regular job duties. Litigation records document that workers were exposed to asbestos-containing dust generated during the mixing, application, cutting, and removal of these cement products.

Boiler and Power Plant Workers applied industrial cements to boiler exteriors, firebox assemblies, and high-temperature piping systems. Mixing dry cement compounds and troweling them onto surfaces disturbed fibrous materials and released airborne particulates into enclosed mechanical spaces with limited ventilation.

Pipe Insulation and Pipefitting Trades used cements of this type to seal and insulate pipe joints, valve bodies, and fittings. Fitting and finishing work required smoothing and shaping the applied material, often by hand or with tools, which generated dust in confined spaces such as boiler rooms, mechanical chases, and ship engine rooms.

Roofers and Waterproofing Workers used industrial cements compatible with roofing applications to seal flashings, penetrations, and membrane edges. These applications frequently involved working in open but dusty environments where cement residue could become airborne.

Floor Tile Installers and Finishers worked with cement adhesives and underlayment compounds in interior spaces. Sanding, scraping, or otherwise disturbing applied cement materials — whether during installation or removal of older materials — could release trapped asbestos fibers.

Cement Pipe Construction and Maintenance Workers encountered these cements in jointing and sealing pipe systems used in municipal, industrial, and commercial infrastructure projects. Cutting and fitting pipe sections alongside cement applications created mixed dust exposures.

Beyond primary applicators, bystander and secondary exposures are also documented in litigation. Co-workers in the same jobsite areas — electricians, laborers, carpenters, and general construction workers — were exposed to asbestos fibers released by others working with these cements nearby. Plaintiffs alleged that product labeling did not adequately warn workers of the asbestos hazard at the time of exposure, and that manufacturers were aware or should have been aware of the health risks associated with asbestos inhalation well before regulatory agencies formally mandated warnings and controls.

Inhalation of airborne asbestos fibers is the established mechanism by which occupational asbestos disease develops. Diseases linked to such exposures include mesothelioma (a rare and aggressive cancer of the lining of the lungs, abdomen, or heart), asbestosis (progressive scarring of the lung tissue), lung cancer, and other pleural diseases. These conditions typically have latency periods of ten to fifty years, meaning workers exposed decades ago may be receiving diagnoses today.

Documented Trust Fund / Legal Options

The “115” and “214” Cements attributed to G-I Holdings fall under Tier 2 — Litigated status for purposes of this reference. No dedicated asbestos bankruptcy trust fund has been identified specifically for G-I Holdings, Inc. in publicly available trust fund documentation reviewed for this article.

Civil Litigation Litigation records document that claims involving G-I Holdings products, including industrial cements alleged to contain asbestos, have been pursued through the civil court system. Plaintiffs alleged product liability on theories including negligent design, failure to warn, strict liability, and, in some cases, fraud related to the concealment of known asbestos hazards. Workers and their survivors diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer, or asbestosis have pursued these claims.

Related Trust Fund Considerations Because of G-I Holdings’ corporate relationship with GAF Corporation and its subsidiaries, individuals with exposure to products in this product line should consult with a qualified asbestos attorney to assess whether any related corporate entity’s bankruptcy trust — such as the G-I Holdings Asbestos Settlement Trust established in connection with G-I Holdings’ own bankruptcy reorganization proceedings — may be a relevant source of compensation. Trust filing eligibility, claim categories, and evidentiary requirements vary and are governed by the applicable Trust Distribution Procedures (TDP) for each trust.

Recommended Steps Individuals diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease who worked with or around “115” or “214” Cements should:

• Retain all employment records, union records, and jobsite documentation
• Document specific product names, manufacturers, and application contexts from memory or co-worker testimony
• Consult an asbestos litigation attorney experienced in both trust fund claims and civil litigation to evaluate all available legal remedies

Statutes of limitations for asbestos claims vary by state and typically run from the date of diagnosis, not the date of exposure. Prompt consultation with legal counsel is strongly advisable.

This article is provided for informational reference purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Information is based on publicly available litigation records, regulatory documentation, and trust fund filings.