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Did you work with Metalastic asbestos-fibered heavy-duty marine and industrial protective coating? According to publicly filed asbestos litigation records, it allegedly contained asbestos. Here is what it was, who was exposed, and who is responsible. Metalastic asbestos-fibered heavy-duty marine and industrial protective coating, made by Sherwin Williams, sold from the 1940s until the 1970s. Plaintiffs have alleged in publicly filed U.S. asbestos personal-injury and wrongful-death litigation that Sherwin-Williams Metalastic marine paint allegedly contained chrysotile asbestos as a reinforcing filler and allegedly exposed shipyard painters, sandblasters, and steel-structure crews to airborne asbestos during application and surface prep. Chrysotile asbestos fiber allegedly incorporated as a reinforcing and anti-sag filler in the paint film, released as airborne dust during sanding, scraping, spray-application overspray, and dry-brushing prep on shipyard hulls, tank interiors, and structural steel. Workers allegedly exposed around this product included Painters, Shipyard Workers, and Boilermakers. Asbestos claims are brought against the companies that made the products. If you worked with or around Metalastic asbestos-fibered heavy-duty marine and industrial protective coating and were later diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, or another asbestos-related disease, you may have a legal claim against the manufacturer. This is educational information from an independent publisher — not a law firm — and is not legal advice.
Product Description
Metalastic was allegedly marketed by Sherwin-Williams as a heavy-duty protective coating for marine and industrial steel — hull exteriors, ballast and cargo tanks, bilge areas, superstructure steel, storage tanks, and structural members exposed to salt spray and industrial corrosion. Plaintiffs have alleged in publicly filed U.S. asbestos personal-injury and wrongful-death litigation that certain grades of Metalastic and companion Sherwin-Williams marine coatings allegedly incorporated chrysotile asbestos fiber as a reinforcing and anti-sag additive that helped the film build thickness without slumping on vertical steel.
According to publicly filed asbestos litigation records, the asbestos-fibered formulation was allegedly sold in cans and drums to Navy shipyards, private shipbuilders and repair yards, tank-farm contractors, and refinery maintenance departments through the mid-20th century.
Workers Exposed
Plaintiffs allegedly identified in litigation the trades most consistently exposed to Metalastic dust:
- Shipyard painters spray-applying and brush-applying the coating in confined tanks and holds
- Sandblasters and grit-blasters removing weathered Metalastic during recoat cycles
- Boilermakers and steelworkers cutting or welding through painted steel, releasing burn-off fumes and residue
- Insulators and pipefitters working adjacent to freshly sanded painted surfaces
- Tank cleaners and refinery maintenance crews scraping legacy Metalastic film during vessel entries