Can’t Remember the Asbestos Product Name?
That is common. A historical product can sometimes be investigated without starting from a brand name. What it looked like, what job it performed, what equipment it fit, who supplied it and where it was used can all provide leads.
Can an asbestos product be investigated if the brand name is forgotten?
Yes. Product identification can begin with what the material looked like, how it was packaged, how it was mixed or installed, the equipment it was used with, the supplier, the workplace, the task and the approximate years of use.
Describe what you saw
Ordinary visual details may narrow a product category.
- Bag, box, can, roll, sheet or preformed part
- Color, texture, lettering or logo
- Approximate size or shape
- Loose powder, cement, tape, gasket, packing or insulation
Describe what you did with it
The task often identifies the product family better than a forgotten label.
- Cut, mixed, sanded, ground or drilled
- Removed, scraped or replaced
- Wrapped, packed, sealed or fitted
- Cleaned equipment after the work
Connect it to equipment and supply
Products were often selected for a particular machine, system or trade.
- Equipment manufacturer or type
- Supplier, distributor or parts counter
- Who ordered or stocked the material
- Replacement versus original material
Use other people and records
Memory can be supplemented rather than forced.
- Coworkers, supervisors and family members
- Photographs, manuals and work records
- Union, employment or pension records
- Old invoices, catalogs or packaging if legitimately preserved
Continue the exposure investigation
Use the related pages below to turn partial memories into a more organized work, product and jobsite history.