Pittsburgh Corning (Unibestos)
Pittsburgh Corning manufactured Unibestos amosite insulation blocks used in power plants and refineries.
Description
Pittsburgh Corning Corporation (PCC) was a joint venture between Pittsburgh Plate Glass (now PPG Industries) and Corning Glass Works that became infamous for manufacturing Unibestos, a thermal insulation product containing high concentrations of amosite (brown asbestos). Produced between 1962 and 1972, Unibestos is regarded as one of the most hazardous asbestos insulation products ever made.
Unibestos was a block-type thermal insulation product designed for use on pipes, boilers, turbines, and other high-temperature industrial equipment. The product consisted of amosite asbestos fibers bound in a calcium silicate matrix, with asbestos content typically between 50% and 90% by weight. The blocks were designed to be cut and shaped on-site to fit around pipes and equipment, a process that generated enormous quantities of airborne amosite fibers.
The product was installed extensively in power plants, oil refineries, chemical plants, steel mills, and other heavy industrial facilities across the United States and Canada during the 1960s. Insulators, pipefitters, and other tradespeople who worked with Unibestos experienced extremely high rates of mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer. The product's high amosite content and the dust-generating installation process made it exceptionally dangerous.
Pittsburgh Corning stopped manufacturing Unibestos in 1972 as the health dangers became undeniable. However, the installed material continued to expose maintenance workers, demolition crews, and facility personnel for decades afterward. The company faced an avalanche of personal injury lawsuits — by 2000, over 175,000 claims had been filed.
Pittsburgh Corning filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in April 2000. After years of litigation, a reorganization plan was confirmed in 2013 establishing the Pittsburgh Corning Asbestos Personal Injury Settlement Trust with approximately $3.5 billion in funding from PCC, PPG, and their insurers. The Trust continues to process and pay claims from Unibestos asbestos victims.
Countries where commonly found
Commercial brands
How to identify
Unibestos insulation blocks are typically white to light tan in color with a slightly rough, chalky texture. The blocks are rigid but can be crumbled with moderate force, revealing fibrous interior material. Product markings may include the "UNIBESTOS" name, the Pittsburgh Corning logo, and specification data. The blocks are typically pre-formed to fit standard pipe diameters or supplied as flat blocks for field fabrication. In industrial facilities, look for this insulation on high-temperature pipes, boilers, turbines, and process equipment installed during the 1960s. The material may be covered with a metal jacket, canvas wrap, or other protective cladding that conceals the insulation beneath.
Health risk & friability
This material has a risk level of 5 out of 5.
It is classified as friable, meaning asbestos fibers can be released into the air with minimal disturbance. This makes it one of the more dangerous asbestos-containing materials. Any work on or near this material should only be carried out by licensed professionals with appropriate containment measures.
What to do if you find this material
Unibestos is an extremely hazardous friable material containing high concentrations of amosite asbestos. Do not touch, cut, or disturb this material under any circumstances. If you encounter suspected Unibestos insulation in an industrial facility, immediately notify the facility safety officer and restrict access to the area. In the US, a certified asbestos inspector must assess the material, and any removal must be performed by a licensed abatement contractor in full compliance with EPA NESHAP regulations and OSHA standards. Full containment, negative pressure, decontamination units, and continuous air monitoring are required during removal. If you were exposed to Unibestos and have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, you may file a claim with the Pittsburgh Corning Asbestos Trust.
Frequently asked questions
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