⚙️ Bell & Gossett – Asbestos Exposure from Pumps, HVAC Systems, and Mechanical Equipment

Bell & Gossett, a division of Xylem Inc., is known for manufacturing industrial pumps, valves, and HVAC system components. For much of the 20th century, many of these products were constructed with asbestos-containing gaskets, seals, and packing materials. As a result, thousands of plant workers, maintenance crews, pipefitters, and HVAC technicians were exposed to hazardous asbestos dust during installation, repair, and replacement tasks.

🏢 Company Overview

• Founded: 1916

• Headquarters: Morton Grove, Illinois

• Parent Company: Acquired by ITT Corporation (2000); now under Xylem Inc.

• Industry: HVAC equipment and industrial pump manufacturing

• Asbestos Use Period: 1930s – late 1980s

• Trust Fund: ❌ No trust fund established

• Current Status: Active – uses asbestos-free components

Bell & Gossett products have been widely used in commercial buildings, industrial plants, schools, hospitals, and shipyards—all settings where asbestos exposure risk was present.

🔧 Asbestos in Bell & Gossett Products

To withstand heat and pressure, Bell & Gossett incorporated asbestos into key mechanical components such as:

• Pump gaskets

• Valve packing materials

• Compression seals

• Flange gaskets and washers

These parts were commonly handled during routine maintenance, and workers were often unaware of the cancer-causing potential of the asbestos fibers they were releasing.

👷 Who Was at Risk?

Exposure typically occurred in boiler rooms, mechanical areas, and maintenance shops. High-risk roles included:

• 🛠️ HVAC technicians

• ⚙️ Plant and facility maintenance workers

• 🔧 Pipefitters and boiler mechanics

• 🧰 Industrial engineers and millwrights

• 🏢 Building custodians and contractors

Asbestos fibers were released during cutting, scraping, or removing worn-out gaskets and insulation materials in confined mechanical environments with poor ventilation.

🪖 Military and Government Use

Bell & Gossett pumps and HVAC units were frequently used in:

• 🛳️ Navy ships and shipyards

• 🪖 Military barracks and hangars

• ⚙️ Defense facilities and VA hospitals

Military mechanics, base workers, and ship personnel were exposed while maintaining these systems aboard vessels and within federal infrastructure.

⚠️ Diseases Linked to Exposure

Due to airborne fiber inhalation, workers later developed:

• Mesothelioma

• Asbestos-related lung cancer

• Asbestosis

• Chronic pulmonary conditions

Symptoms often appeared decades after the initial exposure, making diagnosis and compensation more complex.

⚖️ Legal Action Against Bell & Gossett

Bell & Gossett has been named in numerous asbestos lawsuits, primarily by:

• 🧾 Former plant workers and HVAC personnel

• ⚓ Navy veterans and shipyard contractors

• 🏢 Maintenance crews in schools and industrial sites

Claims alleged the company failed to warn users about asbestos hazards or provide proper safety guidance.

Although Bell & Gossett has not filed for bankruptcy, courts have held the company liable for injuries caused by its asbestos-containing products.

🧱 Timeline of Asbestos Use

📊 Exposure Estimates

👷 Workers Potentially Exposed at Work Sites

➡️ Total Worker Exposure Estimate: ~45,000

🌍 External Exposure from Product Use

➡️ Total Non-Employee Exposure Estimate: ~21,000

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

⏳ Can I file a lawsuit if I was exposed to Bell & Gossett products?

✅ Yes. If you developed an asbestos-related illness and had contact with their gaskets, pumps, or HVAC parts, you may qualify for compensation. Claims are often filed under product liability law.

🧾 What proof is needed?

• Work records or contracts showing use of Bell & Gossett equipment

• Witness testimony or product invoices

• Medical documentation confirming mesothelioma or related illness

⚖️ Is there an asbestos trust?

❌ No. Bell & Gossett/Xylem has not created a trust fund. Lawsuits are pursued through civil courts against the company or relevant third parties.

📉 Current Company Status

• ✅ Still operational as part of Xylem Inc.

• ⚙️ Manufactures pumps, hydronic systems, and valves

• ❌ No longer uses asbestos in manufacturing

• ⚖️ Faces ongoing asbestos litigation from past product use

📌 Summary Snapshot – Bell & Gossett