H&S Historical Evidence Library
Valves
Start with what you remember, then test the history against period-specific records. This page organizes a historical research path; it does not establish what was present at a particular workplace.
Memory clue: Steam, hot-water, process, gate, globe or other valves
Work activities worth reconstructing
- Valve overhaul
- Stem packing removal/replacement
- Flange/gasket work
- Maintenance during shutdowns
Equipment and systems that may help identify the history
Valve stems
Packing boxes
Flanged connections
Time changes the answer
EPA historical material describes asbestos packing in valve systems; product identity and relevant years remain evidence questions.
Historical sources used for this research path
- EPA — List of Uses Covered under April 2019 Final Rule
- EPA — Life Cycle of Asbestos in Commercial and Industrial Use
These sources support the generic historical relationship described here. They do not establish a manufacturer, product or material at a particular New York workplace.
Continue from your memory
Tell us what you remember → Historical Evidence Library → New York Workplace Finder →