Number One Plus Cement
Product Description
Number One Plus Cement was an industrial-grade cement product manufactured by Keene Corporation, a company with a broad manufacturing portfolio that included numerous building and industrial materials throughout the mid-twentieth century. Products in this category were formulated to withstand high-temperature environments and were marketed for use across a range of demanding industrial applications.
Based on litigation records, Number One Plus Cement was applied in settings spanning floor tile installation, pipe insulation work, refractory construction, spray fireproofing operations, and valve and steam trap assemblies. Its versatility made it a common presence in industrial facilities, power plants, shipyards, refineries, and manufacturing plants during the periods when asbestos-containing construction materials were in widespread use. Workers in these environments routinely encountered the product during both initial installation and subsequent maintenance and repair activities.
Keene Corporation, headquartered in New York, operated multiple subsidiaries and acquired several companies over the decades, expanding its reach into insulation and specialty industrial products. The corporation eventually faced significant asbestos-related litigation stemming from the product lines it manufactured and distributed.
Asbestos Content
Plaintiffs in asbestos litigation have alleged that Number One Plus Cement, as manufactured by Keene Corporation, contained asbestos as a functional ingredient. In high-temperature industrial cement formulations of the era, asbestos fibers — most commonly chrysotile, and in some products amphibole varieties such as amosite — were incorporated to enhance heat resistance, structural cohesion, and durability under thermal stress.
Litigation records document that asbestos-containing cements of this type were standard across the industry during the mid-twentieth century, and that manufacturers including Keene were aware of the hazardous properties of asbestos fibers well before adequate warnings were provided to the workers handling their products. Plaintiffs have further alleged that Keene Corporation failed to disclose the health risks associated with asbestos exposure and did not provide adequate safety instructions or warnings on product labels during the years these materials were in active use.
Because specific formulation documentation for Number One Plus Cement may vary by production lot and time period, individuals with potential exposure claims should consult legal counsel experienced in asbestos litigation to evaluate available product identification records.
How Workers Were Exposed
The occupational exposure pathways associated with Number One Plus Cement were numerous and consistent with the broad range of trades and industrial settings in which the product was used. Litigation records document that workers across multiple categories came into contact with this material during the ordinary performance of their jobs.
Floor Tile Installation and Removal: Workers who applied cement-based adhesives and setting compounds in floor tile applications could generate airborne asbestos dust during mixing, spreading, cutting, and finishing operations. Demolition and renovation workers removing old floor systems faced additional exposure as dried asbestos-containing cement was disturbed.
Pipe Insulation: Industrial pipefitters, insulators, and plumbers who worked with asbestos-containing pipe insulation cements were routinely exposed when mixing powdered materials with water, applying the wet compound to pipe surfaces, and finishing or repairing cured insulation. Plaintiffs alleged that the sanding and cutting of hardened cement products released significant concentrations of respirable asbestos fibers into the work area.
Refractory Applications: Refractory workers constructing and maintaining furnaces, kilns, boilers, and other high-temperature industrial systems used asbestos-containing cements to seal joints and bond refractory brick. These tasks — particularly chipping out old refractory cement and applying new material — generated substantial airborne fiber release documented in industrial hygiene literature of the period.
Spray Fireproofing: Litigation records document that spray-applied fireproofing operations were among the highest-exposure activities associated with asbestos-containing products. Workers applying spray fireproofing material and those working in the immediate vicinity — including ironworkers, electricians, and carpenters performing concurrent work — could inhale large quantities of airborne asbestos fibers without adequate respiratory protection.
Valves and Steam Traps: Maintenance workers, pipefitters, and steamfitters who serviced industrial valve assemblies and steam trap systems used cement-based compounds for sealing and repair. Disturbing cured asbestos-containing cement during disassembly and cleaning was a recognized source of fiber release.
Beyond the primary trades, bystander exposure was a consistent theme in asbestos litigation involving industrial facilities. Workers in adjacent areas — those who shared work spaces with insulators, refractory crews, or fireproofing applicators — faced secondary exposure without directly handling the product. Family members of industrial workers also alleged secondary or take-home exposure through contaminated work clothing brought into the household.
Documented Trust Fund / Legal Options
Number One Plus Cement, as a Keene Corporation product, falls into the category of Tier 2 — Litigated asbestos claims. Keene Corporation’s asbestos liability has been the subject of extensive civil litigation in courts across the United States. Litigation records document that plaintiffs diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis, and other asbestos-related diseases have brought claims against Keene Corporation and its successors in connection with asbestos-containing products, including industrial cements marketed under the Keene name.
Individuals who worked with or around Number One Plus Cement and who have received a diagnosis of an asbestos-related disease should be aware of the following:
Civil Litigation: Because Keene-related asbestos claims have proceeded through the tort system, affected individuals or their families may have the right to file lawsuits in state or federal court against responsible parties, including any surviving corporate successors or insurers carrying Keene’s historical liability.
Statute of Limitations: Asbestos-related claims are subject to filing deadlines that vary by state and typically begin running from the date of diagnosis or discovery of the disease. Prompt consultation with legal counsel is critical to preserving rights.
Claim Documentation: Building a successful claim typically requires establishing product identification — demonstrating that a specific Keene product was present at a worksite during the claimant’s employment. Work history records, co-worker testimony, union records, and employer documentation can all contribute to this process.
Other Responsible Parties: Many asbestos exposure scenarios involved multiple manufacturers and suppliers. An attorney experienced in asbestos litigation can evaluate whether claims against other defendants — including companies with active asbestos bankruptcy trusts — may also be viable based on the claimant’s full work history.
Individuals diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer with asbestos exposure history, asbestosis, or pleural disease who have a history of industrial work involving cements, insulation, or refractory materials are encouraged to seek evaluation from an attorney specializing in asbestos claims. Legal consultations in this area are typically provided at no cost, with representation offered on a contingency fee basis.
This article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Product identification and liability determinations require individualized legal and factual analysis.