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Insulation

Kaylo Thermal Insulation — Asbestos Exposure Risk

Manufacturer: Owens-Illinois (later Owens Corning) Years: 1948–1972 Asbestos: Amosite
Last verified: March 14, 2026

Product Overview

Kaylo was a calcium silicate insulation product containing amosite asbestos, widely used on pipes, boilers, and industrial equipment from the late 1940s through the early 1970s. Workers who cut, shaped, or removed Kaylo insulation were exposed to high concentrations of airborne asbestos fibers.

Health Risk Assessment

High — cutting and fitting Kaylo released large quantities of amosite fibers, one of the most hazardous asbestos types

Common Uses

  • Pipe insulation
  • Boiler insulation
  • Industrial thermal insulation

Industries Affected

  • Construction
  • Power generation
  • Shipbuilding
  • Petrochemical

Manufacturer

Owens-Illinois (later Owens Corning)

Produced this product from approximately 1948–1972 using amosite asbestos.

Asbestos Type

Amosite

Amosite (brown asbestos) is the second most hazardous form of asbestos, strongly linked to mesothelioma and asbestosis.

Were You Exposed to Kaylo Thermal Insulation?

If you or a family member worked with this product and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, you may be entitled to compensation. An experienced attorney can evaluate your case at no cost.

Your Legal Rights

Workers and family members who were exposed to Kaylo Thermal Insulation and subsequently developed mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis, or other asbestos-related conditions may have several legal options available:

  • Asbestos Trust Fund Claims — If the manufacturer established a bankruptcy trust, eligible claimants can file for compensation without going to court.
  • Mesothelioma Lawsuits — Personal injury lawsuits can be filed against manufacturers and other responsible parties to seek damages for medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering.
  • Wrongful Death Claims — Family members of individuals who died from asbestos-related diseases may file wrongful death claims.
  • Veterans Benefits — Military veterans exposed to asbestos products during service may qualify for VA disability benefits and healthcare.

Statutes of limitations restrict the time you have to file a claim. It is important to consult with an experienced mesothelioma attorney as soon as possible to preserve your legal rights.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did Kaylo Thermal Insulation contain asbestos?

Yes. Kaylo Thermal Insulation, manufactured by Owens-Illinois (later Owens Corning), contained amosite asbestos. The product was produced from approximately 1948–1972 and was used in pipe insulation, boiler insulation, industrial thermal insulation. Workers who manufactured, installed, maintained, or removed this product may have been exposed to asbestos fibers.

Can I file a claim for Kaylo Thermal Insulation exposure?

If you or a loved one developed mesothelioma, lung cancer, or another asbestos-related disease after exposure to Kaylo Thermal Insulation, you may be eligible to file a legal claim. The Owens Corning / Fibreboard Asbestos Personal Injury Trust may provide compensation for eligible claimants. An experienced mesothelioma attorney can evaluate your exposure history and determine your legal options at no cost. Contact Danziger & De Llano at 1-800-400-1805 for a free case review.

The company that made this no longer exists. Who actually pays?

The liability did not disappear with the company. Owens-Illinois (later Owens Corning) is connected to the Owens Corning / Fibreboard Asbestos Personal Injury Trust, a fund set aside during bankruptcy specifically to pay asbestos claims. Claims are filed against the trust rather than against a trading business, which is why a product discontinued decades ago can still support a claim today. Successor companies and their insurers can also remain liable separately from the trust.

I used this product but have no receipts or records. Does that end it?

No. Nobody keeps receipts for brake parts or gaskets bought forty years ago, and claims are not decided on them. What carries weight is your own account of where you worked, when, and what you handled — supported by a Social Security earnings statement, which lists every employer you had by year and can be requested directly, plus union records or a DD-214 for military service. Write down what you remember before looking anything up.

My father or husband worked with this and has since died. Can the family still file?

Yes. A wrongful death claim can be brought by the estate or by eligible family members, and it is a separate route from the claim the person would have brought themselves. It also runs on a different clock — the deadline generally starts at the date of death rather than the date of diagnosis, so families are sometimes still in time when they assume they are not. Deadlines are set by each state, so confirm the one that applies to yours.

I never handled it myself, but someone in my house did. Could I have been exposed?

Possibly. Asbestos fibres travelled home on work clothes, in hair and in vehicles, and household members were exposed while washing laundry or greeting someone at the end of a shift. This is called secondhand or take-home exposure and it is a recognised basis for a claim in its own right, not an exception.

Recognise this product? Write down what you remember

You do not need a diagnosis, a lawyer, or a decision to do this — and it is worth doing while you still remember clearly. Write it in your own words, before you read anything else:

  • Where you used or handled it — employer, job site, or your own garage
  • Roughly which years, and how often
  • What the packaging or the part looked like, and what you called it at the time
  • Who else was there — anyone who could confirm it later
  • Whether dust was involved — grinding, sanding, cutting, or blowing parts out with an airline

Write what you actually recall rather than what you can look up. Details you produce yourself are what hold up years later; details taken from a website do not. If you are doing this for a relative who has died, write down what you remember too, including work clothes brought home to be washed.

This product profile is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or medical advice. Product formulations varied over time, and not all units of a product necessarily contained asbestos. No attorney-client relationship is formed by viewing this information. Always consult with a qualified mesothelioma attorney and medical professional for guidance specific to your situation.

Get a Free Kaylo Thermal Insulation Exposure Case Review

If you or a loved one was exposed to Kaylo Thermal Insulation and diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, our attorneys can help you understand your legal options at no cost or obligation.

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