Product Description
The Duriron Company, Inc., founded in Dayton, Ohio, marketed corrosion-resistant valves and pumps under the Durco brand. Durco process valves — plug valves, throttling valves, and control-service assemblies — were specified into severe-service chemical plants, refineries, pulp and paper mills, and pharmaceutical facilities where corrosive fluids demanded a rugged, chemically inert flow-control package.
According to publicly filed asbestos litigation records, Durco valves were allegedly furnished originally with asbestos-fiber compression packing in the stem stuffing box and, on certain models, asbestos gasketing at the bonnet joint. Every time a Durco valve was disassembled for maintenance, the packing set was allegedly disturbed — cut out, replaced, and re-compressed — exposing the mechanic to the fibers integral to the packing.
Workers Exposed
Chemical-plant pipefitters and process-plant maintenance mechanics allegedly serviced Durco valves throughout their careers. Removing hardened, chemically-attacked stem packing allegedly liberated fiber directly at the workface. Instrumentation and control (I&C) technicians who tuned and repaired the actuator/stem interface allegedly worked next to open stuffing boxes during rebuilds.
Valve-shop technicians who rebuilt Durco assemblies on a bench allegedly cut, coiled, and installed fresh asbestos packing rings — a task allegedly generating airborne fibers with every cut. Litigation records allege Duriron knew of the hazard yet failed to warn end-user maintenance crews.