🏗️ E.J. Bartells Company and Asbestos Exposure

E.J. Bartells Company was a major provider and installer of industrial insulation materials—many of which contained asbestos from the 1940s through the 1980s. The company worked on power plants, refineries, shipyards, and commercial buildings, using asbestos for its fireproofing and heat resistance.

This led to significant asbestos exposure for their own workers as well as other trades who shared the same job sites—especially during insulation installation, repair, and removal activities.

🏢 Company Overview

• Founded: 1923

• Headquarters: Renton, Washington

• Industry: Industrial insulation contracting

• Still in Business? ❌ No (ceased operations)

• Asbestos Trust Fund? ❌ No dedicated trust

🔧 Where Asbestos Was Used

E.J. Bartells supplied and installed asbestos in:

• Steam pipe insulation

• Boiler and furnace linings

• Turbine insulation wraps

• High-temperature blankets and boards

• Cementitious fireproofing materials

These products were frequently disturbed during retrofitting, maintenance, or demolition, releasing airborne asbestos fibers.

👷 Who Was Exposed

• Insulators working directly with asbestos wraps and cements

• Power plant employees working near insulated boilers and piping

• Boilermakers and steamfitters during installations and tear-outs

• Construction workers and engineers at industrial facilities

• Shipyard workers exposed during insulation upgrades on vessels

• Demolition teams removing contaminated materials decades later

⚖️ Lawsuits and Legal History

E.J. Bartells has been named in multiple asbestos-related lawsuits, especially in the western United States. Claims were filed by:

• Former insulation installers who later developed mesothelioma or asbestosis

• Power plant and refinery workers exposed indirectly by Bartells’ installations

• Shipyard tradesmen and U.S. Navy veterans

While no trust fund has been created, Bartells was a defendant in suits that led to individual settlements, particularly in states like Washington and California.

📋 Known Asbestos Products Installed or Distributed

📈 How Many People Were Exposed?

Total Estimated Exposure: 45,000+ individuals

🪖 Military and Government Exposure

E.J. Bartells insulation products were used in government buildings, defense installations, and naval shipyards—including U.S. Navy vessels undergoing insulation projects.

• Navy personnel and civilian contractors were exposed during retrofit work

• Insulation was also used in military power systems and turbine rooms

❓ Can I Still File a Lawsuit Against E.J. Bartells Company?

✅ Yes. Even though the company is no longer operating, legal action may still be possible against:

• Their insurers or successor companies

• Product manufacturers Bartells distributed

• Sites where Bartells performed installations (premises liability)

You may qualify if you were exposed to asbestos due to their products or contracting work and later developed a related illness like mesothelioma, lung cancer, or asbestosis.

📌 E.J. Bartells Company Summary at a Glance